Job Description

Job description

Position Code


HRD-SA/10-028
Program


Kuyakhanya
Job Grade


Assistant Manager (15)
Employment Type


Contractual (close-ended until June 30, 2026)
Reporting To


Site Project Director (Solid) & Head of Communications (Dotted)
Location


Port Shepstone, South Africa

JOb Purpose

Lead and deliver on creative health communications and marketing strategies to strengthen visibility of an Early Childhood Development (ECD) programme's brand amongst local stakeholders and rightsholders. Develop storytelling materials, communication collateral, and manage press and vendors to amplify the programme's reach and impact. This role will also support organizational growth by ensuring consistent messaging and the delivery of high-impact campaigns across multiple platforms under guidance from Country and Global leads.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Health Communications & Campaign Design

Develop and implement evidence-informed, culturally relevant health communication strategies that promote early childhood development (ECD) in low-resourced, rural settings. Lead the design and delivery of integrated ECD campaigns using a mix of channels (e.g., community radio, print, SMS, digital, and interpersonal communication). Ensure communication materials are inclusive, language-accessible, and resonate with caregivers, the ECD workforce, and local influencers and are aligned with organizational vision, mission, values and branding guidelines.

Community-Centred Content Development

Co-create messaging with community partners and stakeholders to ensure campaigns reflect lived experiences and local knowledge. Translate complex public health concepts pertaining to early learning, nutrition, mental health, and others, into simple, actionable, and engaging messages tailored to diverse literacy levels. Produce communication toolkits, flipcharts, radio scripts, video PSAs, and visual storytelling assets that promote positive caregiving practices.

Media & Partnership Engagement and Events

Collaborate with local media outlets, community health platforms, and grassroots networks to amplify programmatic messages. Manage relationships with creative agencies, designers, and technical consultants to produce campaign assets where required. Build communication capacity among program teams and partners through training, templates, and coaching. Build and maintain relationships with media outlets, journalists, and influencers to enhance the organization's visibility. Draft and distribute press releases, op-eds, and media briefs in consultation with Global Comms and Country leadership. Monitor media coverage and track public sentiment on key health issues relevant to our work. Lead communications planning for programmatic events and campaigns. Collaborate with program teams to promote campaigns related to awareness days or advocacy moments.

Digital Engagement & Monitoring

Lead the development of digital strategies to extend the reach of programmatic messages, including social media campaigns and mobile engagement (e.g., WhatsApp, SMS). Track campaign performance using analytics tools and community feedback loops to refine messaging and tactics. Contribute to learning outputs (case studies, lessons learned) that showcase the impact of communication strategies on behavior change and knowledge uptake.

Internal Coordination & Knowledge Sharing

Support program teams in embedding communication for development (C4D) principles across initiatives. Coordinate with MEL staff to align communication outputs with desired behavior change and learning outcomes. Document and share best practices in health communication within the organization and across sectoral partners. Lead content creation for donor communications, knowledge assets, and other public-facing materials.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES (KSA)

Required Qualification


Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Health, Marketing, Journalism, Social Sciences, or related field (Master's degree preferred). Required Experience


Minimum 5 years of experience in health communications, behavior change communication (BCC), or communication for development (C4D), preferably within public health, early childhood development (ECD), or social impact sectors. Proven track record in designing and implementing multi-channel communication campaigns for low-resourced or underserved communities. Experience producing and managing a range of communication materials such as toolkits, radio scripts, visual aids, and digital content. Proficiency with communication and design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, WhatsApp broadcast tools, SMS platforms, social media management tools). Required Skills


Health communication expertise and campaign design and execution. Strong project management and coordination skills, with the ability to lead cross-functional teams and collaborate with external partners. Demonstrated ability to translate complex health and development concepts into accessible, culturally relevant content for diverse audiences, including caregivers, community workers, and local leaders, with skill in adapting materials for different literacy levels across print, audio, digital, and interpersonal channels.. Excellent writing, storytelling, and communication skills, with attention to accuracy and consistency. Proficiency in managing digital communication platforms, content calendars, and basic multimedia editing (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite). Deep respect for diverse cultural contexts, especially in low-resource and rural communities; skilled in co-creating messages with affected populations. Strong interpersonal and listening skills, with the ability to build trust with community members, health workers, and grassroots organizations. Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple campaigns and deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Sees the big picture and aligns communication efforts with broader programmatic and organizational goals and community impact. Brings fresh ideas for engagement and storytelling, especially when faced with limited resources or constraints. * Frequent rural travel to understand local contexts and capture authentic stories.