Research and Communications Specialist(Management Sciences for Health)-Employment opportunity in USA

Job title:Research and Communications Specialist
Organization: Management Sciences for Health
Job location: United States of America
Deadline: 26 Mar 2014
OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Research and Communications Specialist will support the CEO and his Senior Writer by providing key research and writing functions. In addition to providing internal leadership at MSH, the President/CEO plays a very active role in the field of global health as a speaker, writer, and advocate. This internal and external engagement requires extensive research, presentations, and written communication. The Senior Writer coordinates large complex projects – including the global advocacy campaign for universal health coverage and writes opinion pieces and journal articles both for the CEO and under his own by-line – and will be supported by the Research and Communications Specialist in those responsibilities.

MSH is seeking a candidate who:

• is responsive and service-oriented;
• is capable of producing quality work on a just-in-time basis;
• can quickly research new topics, understand, analyze and communicate key themes relevant to public health issues addressed by MSH;
• can dynamically and creatively convey qualitative stories and quantitative evidence in both written and presentation formats;
• is an excellent writer/communicator and team member who can work respectfully and effectively at all levels of the organization;
• is seeking a challenging research position in a mentoring environment.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct desk research for CEO peer-reviewed journal articles or book chapters and write first draft of CEO blogs for monthly MSH newsletter, rapid response “current events” blogs, op-eds, and other health development written products in support of MSH’s corporate communications strategy and priority themes, as assigned by the Senior Writer.
• Coordinate placement and cross-posting of blogs in coordination with the Senior Writer and Online Communications Specialist.
• Draft/edit CEO communications with funders, partners, and other MSH stakeholders.
• Write and manage the CEO Twitter account, in consultation with the Online Communications Specialist.
• Prepare CEO background forms for all CEO engagements, as assigned by Sr. Writer or Director, Strategic Communications or CEO’s Executive Assistant.
• Prepare first draft of presentations for conferences; visibility events in Boston, Washington, and internationally: Conceptualize themes, draft key messages, develop storyboards, develop presentations, as assigned by the Senior Writer.
• Assist in preparing background materials, fact sheets, presentations and written materials for the President/CEO for events of global health and development organizations/associations, outside boards of directors, and other global health and development events.
• Manage the CEO countdown calendars for all writing and speaking engagements.
• Work collaboratively with the CEO’s Executive Assistant on performing general clerical duties when needed to include, but not limited to scanning, filing, copying, faxing, and data entry.
• Contribute own blogs related to MSH events, when needed and assigned.
• Prepare thank you notes for the CEO following events/meetings.
• Attend CEO External Engagement team strategy meetings.

Global Health, Development, and Internal Tracking and Research

• Scan for current and emerging issues in global health and development (leading journals, blogs, websites, updates from MSH membership organizations) and within MSH (Friday Forward, MSH Global Health Impact newsletter, website, etc.).
• Perform research for the CEO, including web-based, academic (must be or become adept in using PubMed and related research tools), and internal research through networking (must be comfortable communicating with all levels).
• Assist Senior Writer with desk research related to universal health coverage and/or other related topics relevant to the overall strategic communications plan and within MSH priority themes.
• Monitor external messaging of competitor organizations and their CEOs.

MSH Internal Staff Communications

• Work closely with the Senior Manager for Internal Communications to:
• Draft routine MSH worldwide emails, daily/weekly appreciation emails, and other internal communications for the CEO as requested.
• Develop CEO’s contributions to Quarterly Global Staff Meetings and other internal presentations and communications (with charts and other visuals).
• Conduct necessary internal MSH research to support internal staff meeting presentations.
• MSH Board of Directors Communications
• Draft Feature Topics papers, routine CEO updates.
• Compile annual Leadership Team report to Board and Organization.
• Assist CEO and CEO EA (if needed) in preparing reports and other materials for MSH Board of Directors.

QUALIFICATIONS:

•     Master’s degree and 1-2 years’ research experience in global health or related field(s).
•     Excellent conceptual, analytic and writing skills. Demonstrated ability to conceive and produce concise, engaging written materials. Proficiency in grammar, spelling, and proofreading.
•     Excellent literature review and web search skills, with an ability to identify key references, discern major themes, and synthesize disparate information.
•     Expert knowledge in using PowerPoint, Word, and Excel to organize and present qualitative, quantitative, graphic and pictorial information in clear, convincing ways. Ability to create PPTs from scratch and re-purposing including creating standard charts, graphics, other visuals; working with graphic designer for more complex charts.
•     Familiarity with social media tools, especially Twitter.
•     Demonstrated competence to assess priorities, manage a variety of activities in a time-sensitive environment and meet deadlines with attention to detail and quality.
•     Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills with a service-oriented outlook and ability to interact professionally with a culturally diverse staff, clients, and consultants.
•     Demonstrated ability to work as an effective team member in a complex and fast-paced environment.
•     Good judgment, flexibility and ability to work effectively with senior leadership team members.
•     Willingness to travel domestically and internationally, if and as required.
•     English fluency required; additional language skills in French and/or Spanish helpful but not required.

Management Sciences for Health is an equal opportunity employer offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental handicap, or status as a disabled or Vietnam Era veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.

How to apply:
Please submit a resume here
For more information about MSH, please visit our web site
If you cannot apply online or have difficulty doing so, please email an explanation of your problem to iRecruiterproblem@msh.org.