Communications Consultant, Center for Vaccine Innovation and Access at PATH

PATH is currently seeking an individual Communications Consultant who will work across a diverse set of internal and external partners in Ghana and specific neighboring countries to support health ministry malaria vaccine efforts. The consultant will be responsible for helping to define and execute communications and social mobilization strategies while contributing to crosscutting regional and global teams and priorities.

PATH’s Center for Vaccine Innovation and Access (CVIA) spans every stage of the long and complex process of vaccine research, development, and introduction to make lifesaving vaccines widely available to women, children, and communities across the world. CVIA’s current portfolio encompasses more than two dozen vaccines either in development or already in use to protect against 18 different diseases, including diarrheal disease, malaria, meningitis, pneumonia, polio, and typhoid. We work in partnership with national health ministries, pharmaceutical manufacturers, donors, international financing and regulatory organizations, and many others.

Specifically, this consultancy will support expansion of malaria vaccination into new areas in West Africa, applying lessons from Ghana and the other two malaria vaccine pilot countries, and collaborating with PATH colleagues, Ministries of Health, and malaria and immunization partners.

This consultancy can start immediately and will operate for at least six months, based in Accra. It will include travel to neighboring countries to be identified.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with PATH, Ministries of Health, and other partners to develop and execute work plans, strategies, and activities that align with and support malaria vaccination communications and demand generation priorities in 2-3 countries in West Africa.
• Work in close collaboration with national and subnational health officials and with immunization and malaria sub-working groups, paying close attention to lessons and evidence from the malaria vaccine pilots.
• Assist communications, health promotion, and social mobilization teams in adapting messages, social and behavior change materials, health worker job aids, and other tools defined in the ministries’ strategies for malaria vaccine introduction.
• Assist in arranging for and managing processes for translation of messages, materials, and tools.
• Work with the appropriate health ministry teams to develop briefing packets and to map and engage stakeholders at national and subnational levels toward galvanizing interest and support for malaria vaccination.
• Help define processes for issues management and for developing and maintaining risk communications plans.
• Help design and implement stakeholder meetings and workshops, as needed.
• Coordinate information-gathering field visits that include photography, videography, interviews, and other efforts to document progress.
• Attend PATH and partner work planning meetings and provide periodic progress reports.

Required Skills

Required Experience

• Bachelor's degree or higher, preferably in communications, public policy, global health, or related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in designing and managing communications and social mobilization strategies for health.
• Experience working with national-level stakeholders as well as civil society organizations and communities.
• Experience facilitating strong relationships and working within multi-country, cross-functional and diverse teams.
• Excellent verbal and written communication with the ability to tailor approaches for various audiences and channels.
• Fluency in English required; fluency in French strongly preferred.
• Understanding of immunization programs and health systems strongly preferred.
• Willingness to travel, as needed.

Must have Authorization to work in Ghana

PATH is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity is valued.