Family Health Services (FHS), formerly known as PSI Malawi, has partnered with the government of Malawi through the Ministry of Health (MoH) since 1994 in safeguarding the health of Malawians by using private sector approaches to reconfigure healthcare delivery – (i) through directly delivering innovative social and behaviour change communications, social marketing, and social franchising across a wide range of health areas including Reproductive Health, HIV, Malaria and water-borne disease prevention (ii) by playing a market facilitation role, approaching market challenges and opportunities with a system-wide lens that unlocks a self-sustaining market with multiple players that can prioritize, adapt and ultimately thrive without external assistance and funds.

While a local organisation with deep roots in Malawi, Family Health Services is globally connected; mainly through affiliation to Population Service International (PSI), a Washington DC-based non-governmental and non-profit making organization that boasts a global network of members across over 50 countries through which FHS continues to leverage capacities, learnings, and best practice to enhance activities in Malawi. To accomplish its mission, FHS is inviting applications from suitably qualified candidates to fill the following vacant position:

Communications Manager

Job Summary.

To find opportunities and utilize different approaches to promote Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision services. This will include mass media, digital, out of home and community level activities. This will entail maintaining VMMC services as top of mind, cool and trendy in the minds of the target audience and their influencers. The role is also responsible for program communication material development and is custodian for full compliance with USAID branding and marking plan.

Duties and responsibilities

• Design and implement long-format interactive radio programs that engage the target audience, providing educational content, answering questions, and promoting VMMC services.
• Advertise VMMC services and service locations on television through targeted TV spots and tactical brand mentions in popular shows to reach a wider audience.
• Maintain market presence by leveraging community radio, organizing roadshows, engaging drama groups, and other community-based initiatives.
• Identify and develop creative partnerships to promote VMMC, including collaborations with football clubs, associations, schools, and religious entities.
• Maintain a robust social media presence, including a well-managed VMMC WhatsApp hotline for client inquiries and referrals, and a Facebook page to engage urban clients and gather feedback.
• Develop and distribute Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials tailored to market insights to effectively communicate VMMC benefits and services.
• Ensure all teams are well-stocked with leaflets, and that providers consistently deliver post-wound care instructions to clients.
• Support sensitization efforts during campaigns and key events to increase awareness and uptake of VMMC services.
• Continue community sensitization efforts initiated by the program’s brand repair consultant to rebuild and strengthen the VMMC brand.
• Ensure all sites and program activities are accurately branded, reflecting the program’s
• Collect and elevate success stories to share with donors and through social media platforms.
• Attend national and donor activities to maintain the project’s visibility and reputation.
• Develops media placement plans and coordinates campaign implementation i.e. media placement plans, social media content plans in line with the agreed media budget
• Steward the integration of new SBCC approaches including Empathy, Innovation and Prototyping (EIP) to enhance program performance

REQUIRED/RECRUITMENT QUALIFICATIONS 

 Education, Professional Training, Licenses and Registrations Education. 

• Master’s degree in public health, communication, behavioural or social sciences, or a related field.

Experience, Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• At least 5 years’ experience in demand creation, marketing, communications, or public health promotion, preferably within the health sector or with NGOs
• Proven experience in designing and implementing media campaigns (radio, TV, social media) and community engagement activities.

Mode of Application

Qualified candidates with the specified qualifications and experience should submit their electronic application letters and updated CVs with names and contact details of three traceable referees, through jobs@fhs.org.mw. indicating the job title for the position you are applying for in the email subject line. All applications must be submitted by 6^thSeptember 2024 to The Head of Human Resources, Family Health Services, Box 30132, Lilongwe.

Family Health Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of religion, color, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, personal appearance, political affiliation, family status or responsibilities, ger identity, or expression, pregnancy, or related medical conditions. Family Health Services maintains zero tolerance for child abuse, sexual abuse, or exploitative acts or threats by our employees, consultants, volunteers, contractors, or anyone associated with the delivery of our programs and services and takes seriously all complaints of misconduct brought to our attention.

Disclaimer!

Family Health Service has become aware of scams involving false job offers. Please be advised: Family Health Services will never ask for a fee during any stage of the recruitment process. All active jobs are advertised directly in the newspapers or on vetted career websites. Official FHS emails will always arrive from a @fhs.org email address.

 Please report any suspicious communications to safeguarding@fhs.org.mw If you are suspicious of anything, please report through  email to safeguarding@fhs.org.mw or  reportsqm@tip-offs.com;  or write a letter to Tip-Offs anonymous, P.O. Box 1726, Blantyre; or call/send SMS using Airtel/TNM/Access to 847