Title: APZU External Relations Coordinator (Volunteer)
Reports to: APZU Project Manager
Location: Neno, Malawi
Start Date: Summer 2014
Duration: One year (with option to extend)
Organizational Profile: Partners In Health (PIH) is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Boston, MA, whose mission is to provide quality health care for the poor and marginalized in Haiti, Rwanda, Lesotho, Malawi, Peru, Mexico, Russia, Dominican Republic, and Navajo Nation. In addition, PIH has a growing network of affiliated organizations and initiatives in several other countries, including Nepal, Burundi, Mali, Liberia, and Togo. Through service delivery, training, advocacy and research, PIH works around the globe to bring the benefits of modern medical science to those most in need of it, to serve as an antidote to despair, and inspire others to do the same. PIH seeks individuals committed to the mission and values (see PIH Values ) of the organization to join the team. Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo (APZU) is the Malawi-based sister organization of PIH. Since 2007, APZU has worked as partners with the Malawian Ministry of Health to operate 2 hospitals and 11 health centers that serve Neno's 140,000 residents, and has invested over $20 million in improving health infrastructure and health systems in the district.
Position Overview: APZU has made great achievements in healthcare in Neno and is looking to capitalize on this success by sharing our work broadly. The External Relations team that is tasked with raising the profile of APZU within Malawi and internationally. The External Relations Coordinator is a key member of this team that ensures communication of APZU's work to the Boston office, liaises with key partners, and tells APZU's story in a compelling manner.
Responsibilities:
- Build capacity of managers to produce pertinent and compelling field-based visual, written, and multimedia content about their programs
- Maintain close coordination with Boston communications team to identify current story focuses, collaborate on content, source quotes, and track and fact-check material for stories
- Identify and independently pursue compelling stories across Neno
- Capture and manage (using Merlin cross-site database) photography and video to further illustrate stories Work with Boston-based development team and Malawi-based Grants Manager to support existing external relationships, with a particular focus on programmatic partnerships; and cultivate new opportunities.
- Respond quickly to development team's requests for specific data, stories, and existing content to share with donors
- Collaborate with development team and Grants Manager in satisfying timely and specific reporting requirements for various donors and partnerships
- Provide project planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation support, as needed, for APZU departments to maintain successful partnerships Focus on building a network of contacts within Malawi to increase awareness of APZU's work at the national level, and pursue new external platforms internationally to promote our work.
- Expand upon set of branded materials for in-country and external use. Provide visitor management for the APZU site
- Screen requests to ensure appropriate and manageable flow of all visitors including donors and local and international media.
- Coordinate along with Director of Administration visitor logistics (including housing, transport etc.) and serve as a point of contact in the field for external visitors.
- Develop itineraries tailored to visitor interest
- Communicate with Boston-based Malawi and Development teams to report on visits and necessary follow-up.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree required; background/interest in social science, area studies or public health preferred.
- Demonstrated experience (2 years minimum) providing administrative or coordinative and logistics support in an office setting. Previous experience in resource-limited settings strongly preferred.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and flexibility are required.
- Ability to interact professionally with culturally diverse staff.
- Strong organizational skills and detail orientation. Ability to be flexible, think creatively, and manage competing priorities.
- Demonstrated maturity and good judgment.
- Experience with program planning and implementation is preferred.
- Photography, graphic design, and/or journalism experience is a plus.
This is a volunteer position and includes round-trip airfare, housing, and a small living stipend to cover in-country expenses.
