Key deliverables:

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance is looking for a passionate, resourceful and media-savvy strategic communications professional. The Senior Manager, Media Relations would be expected to play a leading role in defining and executing Gavi’s communications strategy at the organisational as well as individual team level, and to develop and maintain relations with the media. Given the nature of the role managing incoming media enquiries, this role will require some work outside of normal working hours.

• Provide strategic advice to teams within Gavi, developing and implementing hybrid communications strategies across earned and owned media;
• Contribute to defining and delivering Gavi’s overarching corporate communications strategy;
• Lead communications workstreams within the organisation, developing content across earned and owned media;
• Respond to breaking news requests from journalists;
• Lead and manage media relations in key geographical markets;
• Identify and develop relationships with key reporters, editors and other media;
• Develop, write and edit content for media and other external audiences;
• Identify and manage reputational risk issues facing the Gavi Secretariat and the Vaccine Alliance;
• Brief Gavi’s executive leadership on communications and media issues and ensure they are prepared for media interviews and other external interactions as needed;
• Manage relationships with suppliers such as PR or translation agencies;
• Develop and maintain relationships with key external partners;
• Help to evolve and improve the Comms team’s monitoring and evaluation capabilities.

Note: The essential functions listed in this section are not exhaustive of the job responsibilities; other duties may be assigned consistently with the department needs.

• Minimum 8 years of work experience in communications or media are required, preferably with some exposure to science and/or global health;
• Advanced writing competencies, for example op-eds, speeches, blogs and other formats is essential.

• The ability to develop and write compelling messages and narratives to short deadlines;
• Confidence to communicate highly technical information accurately to a lay audience;
• Ability to think strategically and manage communications initiatives across media and digital channels;
• Excellent relationship management skills;
• Comfort and confidence when writing in the voice of different people; and
• Excellent copy editing and sub-editing skills.

• Fluency in English is essential for this role.

• University degree, either in a communications-related field or science field.

• Gavi Secretariat.

If you wish to apply, please provide a cover letter and resume through our Careers webpage and apply by clicking on “Senior Manager, Strategic Communications and Media Relations”. Deadline for applications is 27 October 2023.

Please note that as a vaccine organisation and in order to provide duty of care towards its employees, Gavi is requiring its new employees to confirm that they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as a condition for pursuing employment with us. You can find out more by visiting this link.

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In support of Gavi’s commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion, we hire globally and welcome applications regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, national origin, family status, sex, gender identity or expression, physical characteristics, race, religion, spirituality or sexual orientation. Gavi has zero tolerance towards sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse as well as any form of discrimination or harassment. Everyone at Gavi is expected to conduct themselves with integrity and respect towards each other. Gavi is committed to creating a work environment that is safe and professional, therefore all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference checks. Read more here.

Gavi brings together the public and private sectors to save lives and protect people’s health by increasing equitable and sustainable use of vaccines against 18 infectious diseases. You will be joining an organisation at the centre of the international COVID-19 response, at the most critical time in global health in a lifetime. You will work in a culturally diverse environment with over 70 nationalities. You will collaborate with partners such as WHO, UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Bank – and from business, civil society and government. And you will work in the first global health organisation to receive equal gender salary certification. Your unique experience, skills and talents can help us achieve our vision of leaving no one behind without the life-saving power of vaccines.