SANAC CAREER OPPORTUNITY

The South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) leads South Africa’s response to the national HIV and AIDS, TB & STIs epidemics. SANAC is building a dynamic team that can facilitate its effective leadership of the national response.

Name of Position: Communications Officer

Reporting to: Communication Manager

Location: SANAC Head Office, Pretoria

Advert Date: 17 August 2022

Purpose of the job

The Communications Officer will be a creative, dynamic and hard-working individual, with exceptional copywriting skills and excellent attention to detail. They will have demonstrable experience in communications and a passion for effective marketing and digital communications. The successful incumbent will report to the Communication Manager and form a key part of the Communications Team, working across our websites, social media and PR. The candidate will be expected to implement and deliver communications strategies and plans for various SANAC projects and will support the Communication Manager to drive impact across all of SANAC platforms. This is a critical role that needs someone with exceptional understanding of the health communication space.

Key Responsibilities:

• Gather information, research, copywrite or review and edit, and proofread external and internal communication material including website content, advertisements, posters, brochures, newsletters, internal communiques and video scripts, etc, and obtain approval for communication material.
• Assist with developing, implementing and coordinating communications activities in support of the SANAC led campaigns, initiatives, programmes and events.
• Compile monthly communications
• Maintain existing social media platforms and research, develop and implement other appropriate social media platforms that would benefit the SANAC.
• Proactively plan, implement and monitor social media campaigns, and liaise with stakeholders to compile and upload material for such campaigns.
• Capitalise on ad hoc, externally-driven social media opportunities which could benefit the organisation
• Assist with copywriting media releases, holding statements, media responses, speeches and media articles
• Perform various tasks about media relations g. gathering information in order to answer enquiries by members of the public, etc.
• Liaise with our media monitoring service provider to maintain internal recipients list for daily clips, submit monthly media analysis, and other media monitoring matters.
• Collaborate with team members, IT and external service providers to further develop and enhance the organisation’s websites, explore creative ideas for increasing traffic to these websites and facilitating search engine optimisation.
• Work on content development and updating of information on the organisation’s websites including liaison with stakeholders, copywriting, photo selection, proofreading, obtaining approval and liaison with web developers to upload material.
• Research website trends and changes in browser behaviour as and when
• Maintain records of media coverage and collate analytics and metrics
• Curate and manage SANAC’s audio-visual content repository
• Have a good eye for design and some experience in working with graphics and branded materials

Qualification, Skills and Experience

• A three-year qualification in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations or related field from a recognized and accredited university.
• At least 5 years of direct experience in either press, media relations, or communications
• At least 2 years of relevant experience within the health and/or development communications field
• At least 2 years must be in a supervisory or coordinating position in communications and campaign management.
• Demonstrable understanding of strategic media engagement
• Professional knowledge of advocacy and policy principles, and the use of media for public advocacy
• At least 3 years’ experience in social media community management within a professional environment, especially within the health communication space
• At least 3 years’ experience in working with content management systems, especially WordPress
• Must possess exceptional writing, editing & proofreading skills and be able to compose engaging and accurate content
• Strong communicator who works well independently and within a team
• Superior time management skills and the ability to juggle multiple projects simultaneously
• Understanding of communications, public relations and marketing best practices
• Ability to think strategically and identify ways to improve communication efforts
• Must be resourceful and take initiative even when given minimal direction
• Knowledge of data packaging, information management, and social media tools and
• Great knowledge of content management systems, especially WordPress

Applications should be emailed to hr@sanac.org.za. Kindly indicate the name of the position on the subject line of the email. Applicants who do not comply with the above-mentioned requirements, as well as applications received late or faxed will not be considered.

Closing date: Close of Business: 30 August 2022 at 16H00

 Note that correspondence will only be conducted with the short-listed candidates. If you have not been contacted within two (2) months of the closing date of the advertisement, please consider your application as unsuccessful.

SANAC gives preference to South African candidates who meet the job requirement and who will add to the culture and gender diversity of the organization. Suitable candidates will be subjected to assessment(s) (if applicable) and personnel suitability check(s) (citizenship, credit record checks, security clearance, security vetting, qualification verification, and employment verification).

SANAC reserves the right at any time to withdraw or alter this advertised position.