Job Description

Overview of The Union:

Since our founding as a global scientific organisation in 1920, The Union has drawn from the best evidence and the skills, expertise and reach of our staff, consultants and membership in order to advance solutions to the most pressing public health challenges affecting people living in poverty around the world.

As a scientific organisation, The Union’s approach starts with evidence. We conduct research so that we can know the nature of the challenges we face and their most effective solutions. Through our peer-reviewed journals, our global and regional conferences, and through training courses and technical assistance, we provide platforms for sharing scientific knowledge with stakeholders around the world. And by directly delivering health services and advocating on behalf of those affected by tuberculosis and lung disease, we directly act on the best available scientific knowledge. Know. Share. Act. These principles have driven The Union’s work since its founding..

Overview of TREAT TB:

An estimated 10.4 million people fell ill with tuberculosis (TB) in 2016 and TB remains the leading cause of death worldwide from a single infectious agent.

TREAT TB (Technology, Research, Education and Technical Assistance for Tuberculosis) is a global project that seeks to contribute to new knowledge through field evaluations of diagnostic tools, clinical trials of priority research questions, and targeted operational research benefitting global, regional and country TB control efforts. The TREAT TB project is being implemented by The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease and its North American affiliate, Vital Strategies.

TREAT TB is currently working in a number of key areas including:

· STREAM clinical trial: Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), defined as TB resistant to at least two first-line antibiotics, isoniazid and rifampicin, affected an estimated 490,000 people in 2016 and has been declared a public health crisis by the World Health Organization (WHO). For many years, people who got MDR-TB had to take treatment for between 20 and 24 months. This treatment included a daily injection for eight months, which can be painful and sometimes result in hearing loss. Patients also had to swallow up to 20 pills a day for almost two years. This is very hard for both patients and health care systems, and is very costly. The STREAM clinical trial is the world’s first multi-country randomised clinical trial to test the efficacy, safety, and economic impact of shortened treatment regimens for MDR-TB.

· Operational research (OR): OR plays a key role in successful TB control efforts. Since its launch in 2008, TREAT TB has trained public health professionals in high TB burden countries to conduct operational research independently. Countries involved include Peru and the Philippines.

· Technical assistance: TREAT TB provides technical assistance to national TB programmes to improve MDR-TB control. In the Philippines, TREAT TB is currently providing a comprehensive package of technical assistance to support national scale-up of a shortened treatment regimen for MDR-TB.

Overview of the position:

Reporting to The Union’s Global Director of Communications, the TREAT TB Communications Officer will support the Global Director of Communications in the development of a 2018 communications plan for the TREAT TB project and will be responsible for implementation of the 2018 plan. Development and implementation of the 2018 plan will be closely coordinated with Vital Strategies. The TREAT TB communications officer will be a member of The Union’s Communications Department and will also be an integral part of the Vital Strategies’ TREAT TB team. The position will be home-based in the UK.

Main Responsibilities:

Communication Planning

· Work with the Global Director of Communications and the TREAT TB team to develop a communication’s plan on an annual basis.

· Include in the plan a communications approach for The Union World Conference on Lung Health.

· Include in the plan an internal communication strategy for TREAT TB within both Vital Strategies and The Union.

Marketing Communications

· Write, edit and proofread communication materials including, leaflets, flyers, booklets, posters, and banners for internal and external stakeholders

· Coordinate input on communications materials to ensure they meet the requirements of TREAT TB.

· Oversee the development of the marketing booth for The Union World Conference and other face-to-face marketing opportunities.

· Manage the print and production process of communications materials when required.

Case studies, Photography and Film

· Management of existing case study and photo archive.

· Commissioning of photography and film, with management of production and editing.

· Active gathering and writing of case studies.

Website

· Work in collaboration with the Digital Editor to further develop the user journey for the website. 

· Management and production of content 

· Update (and maintain updated) the The Union and the Vital Strategies websites 

Press Relations

· In collaboration with the Union’s Head of Press and Social Media Engagement and Vital Strategies, support the drafting, distribution and pitching of press releases as necessary.

Social Media and Online Communications

· Develop and oversee distribution of social media content for various social media platforms.

Evaluation

· Monitor the effectiveness of the above with regular reports on social media, press, and website reach.

Others

· Undertake any other duties, when required.

Qualifications:

· Degree in communications related field.

· Minimum 3 years’ experience in communications or related field

· Excellent communication skills

· Fluent in English

· Fluency in other languages a plus

· Excellent writing, editing and copywriting skills

· Proven skills in developing and implementing communication strategies

· Knowledge of public health programmes (and knowledge of tuberculosis desirable)

· Ability to work on their own initiative as well as part of a global team

· Available to travel and work to with colleagues in different time zones