🇸🇱 Job Vacancy @ Population Services International (PSI) – Communications Coordinator

Job Title: Communications Coordinator – Global Health Security (GHS)

Location: Freetown, Sierra Leone
Reports to: Project Manager, with technical oversight from the Senior Technical Advisor
Contract Type: Fixed-term (until December 2025, with possible extension)
Level of Effort: Full-time (40 Hours weekly)

Publish:10th September 2025

About Population Services International (PSI)

Population Services International (PSI) is a leading global health organization with over 50 years of experience, making it easier for people in the developing world to lead healthier lives and plan the families they desire. With operations in over 40 countries, PSI brings together the power of the private sector and public health to tackle some of the world’s most pressing health challenges—from malaria and reproductive health to sanitation, HIV, and non-communicable diseases.

PSI Sierra Leone, established in 2019, works closely with the Ministry of Health to advance national health priorities. The country platform has implemented a wide range of programs focused on malaria prevention and treatment, health systems strengthening, and community-level service delivery. Through close collaboration with Community Health Workers (CHWs) and Peer Supervisors (PSs), PSI Sierra Leone supports interventions aimed at expanding access to essential health services. Under the EpiC Global Health Security (GHS) project, PSI Sierra Leone supports the coordination and implementation of critical activities focused on preventing, detecting, and responding to infectious disease threats.

Position Summary

The Communications Coordinator will lead and coordinate Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) efforts under the EpiC Global Health Security (GHS) project. This role is essential to ensuring the timely dissemination of accurate public health messages, countering misinformation, and strengthening trust between health authorities and communities. Working in collaboration with national stakeholders, community leaders, media partners, and PSI’s global communications team, the Communications Coordinator will deliver context-appropriate strategies that reflect the evolving outbreak landscape in Sierra Leone.

Key Responsibilities

Risk Communication & Messaging

• Design and implement RCCE strategies aligned with national outbreak response priorities and PSI global standards.
• Lead the development, adaptation, and pre-testing of culturally appropriate Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials in English and relevant local languages.
• Ensure that all messages are informed by real-time data and evolving epidemiological trends.

Media & Public Outreach

• Coordinate with national and community-level radio stations to broadcast outbreak-related messages, including radio jingles and talk shows.
• Plan and execute public mobilization activities in strategic locations such as markets, lorry parks, and places of worship.
• Work through trusted community channels—traditional leaders, religious figures, and women’s groups—to amplify health messages.

Digital & Social Media Engagement

• Manage PSI Sierra Leone’s digital communication channels and support digital strategies aligned with outbreak communication efforts.
• Create and disseminate engaging content such as videos, infographics, and livestream sessions on platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and YouTube.
• Monitor digital platforms for misinformation and work with PSI’s global team to develop and share accurate counter-messaging.

Community Engagement

• Collaborate with CHWs, CAHWs, and Peer Supervisors to facilitate two-way community feedback mechanisms.
• Support targeted outreach to vulnerable groups, including people living with HIV, adolescents, and hard-to-reach populations.
• Contribute to community training sessions to build trust and promote accurate understanding of health risks and services.

Documentation & Reporting

• Produce and circulate weekly communication activity summaries and situational updates.
• Contribute to donor reporting by capturing outcomes of communication activities and documenting success stories.
• Maintain up-to-date trackers on media appearances, content distribution, audience reach, and community engagement.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Health, Journalism, Development Studies, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Minimum of 3–5 years of relevant experience in public health communication, media relations, or risk communication.
• Demonstrated experience leading communication campaigns during public health emergencies is highly desirable.
• Strong familiarity with USAID-funded programs and donor reporting requirements.
• Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills in English; knowledge of Krio or other local languages is a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and content creation platforms (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, video editing tools).

Key Competencies

• Strong ability to translate technical health content into clear, compelling messaging for diverse audiences.
• Excellent planning, coordination, and multitasking skills.
• Deep understanding of cultural norms and community dynamics in Sierra Leone.
• Creative, proactive, and solutions-driven approach to problem-solving.
• Commitment to PSI’s mission of making health care more accessible, equitable, and consumer-powered.

What would make us excited?

Creative: You love doing things differently, seeking to delight and inspire your audience.

Self-starter: You can work independently, pitch and manage your own mini-projects, and meet deadlines.

D0-er: You love to roll up your sleeves and get to work. You aren’t afraid to suggest new ways of doing things. You would love the chance to shape the strategy and show what you can do!

Team Player: You are an effective team player with demonstrated and verifiable result-oriented nature track record.

Interested candidates should submit CV, professional certificates and cover letters indicating the position they are applying for and submit online to the email procurement@psi-sl.org on or before Wednesday the 24th of September 2025.

PSI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of actual or perceived race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, personal appearance, matriculation, political affiliation, family status or responsibilities, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions or breastfeeding, genetic information, amnesty, veteran, special disabled veteran or uniform service member status or employment status.