Communications Intern

HelpAge International is the secretariat to a global network of more than 140 organizations across 80 countries promoting the right of all older people to lead dignified, healthy, and secure lives.

HelpAge established its office in Yangon, Myanmar in 2008 following the devastating Cyclone Nargis. Today, we are focused on improving the health and wellbeing of older people in Myanmar through expanding social protection, boosting livelihoods and access to services through community groups and improving healthcare, particularly tackling non-communicable diseases.

Background

Scaling-Up NCD Interventions in South-East Asia (SUNI-SEA) 2019 – 2022, is a research consortium project delivered through a collaboration of nine consortium members: University Medical Center Groningen, Netherlands; University of Groningen, Netherlands; University of Passau, Germany; Trnava University, Slovak Republic; HelpAge International; Age International; Thai Nguyen University, Vietnam; Health Strategy and Policy Institute, Vietnam; and Sebelas Maret University, Indonesia.

The project aims to strengthen the provision of diabetes and hypertension prevention and management services through evidence-based research in Indonesia, Myanmar, and Vietnam, by better understanding effective scaling up strategies for existing NCD interventions. The project will look at both community-based activities and primary health care services, as well as the synergies between these for health impact.

SUNI-SEA will contribute to the global NCD evidence base, contributing to the efforts of the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases, the Global NCD Alliance and the World Health Organization (WHO). The project will create training and learning materials, draw lessons learned from these three countries and provide recommendations for worldwide implementation of NCD interventions. The research findings will help strengthen effective action for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG Goal 3 on health. The project is financed by the European Union (Horizon 2020 funding)

Based on the unpredictable political situation in Myanmar, the SUNI SEA Myanmar workplan has been adapted from in person implementation of NCDs activities at community and health facility level to delivery of interventions via online systems, with a focus on:

• Development and dissemination of a telephone application for NCDs and mental health screening and self-care.
• Secondary analysis of existing Myanmar NCDs data resources to develop research study manuscripts for publication of research finding.
• Development of online training modules for NCDs (Diabetes, Hypertension & Mental Health) and design of an online training platform, for the continuous professional development (CPD) program for basic health staff.
• Development and dissemination of reports which document the findings and learning from the mobile phone self-care app, for global stakeholder interest and to share summary data on the SUNI SEA website and other relevant social media platforms.
• Document and disseminate learning from the development and uptake of the continuous professional development online platform for basic health staff.

Purpose

The international intern (communications) will work in close collaboration with the senior technical lead (public health), SUNI -SEA Myanmar project manager, and the national consultant research team to support the achievement of the project workplan for 2022 – 2023, in particular to document project learning, review and edit the research publications, develop and publish policy briefs, write project articles, case studies and project reports, and manage the dissemination of various communication products to a wide range of relevant stakeholder. In addition this position will be responsible for regularly updating the project data base for stakeholder engagement, and developing or adding to a Myanmar SUNI -SEA repository of communication products including project pictures, videos, health promotion materials, project briefs, case studies etc. And as the situation allows, for development and posting of SUNI -SEA related NCDs news, articles and public health messages, on popular social media sites such as Myanmar Facebook page, and monitoring interest and coverage.

Specific tasks

• Work in close collaboration with the SUNI-SEA project team for planning, implementing and monitoring and evaluating the project activities. Join regular team and consortium partner meetings and provide updates on the project’s communication outputs as per the SUNI -SEA workplan and Work Package 5 deliverables.
• In consultation with the project team, and utilizing project results and learning, prepare and submit three or four policy briefs during 2022 – Mar 2023, that are ready for dissemination.
• Support the writing of the final project report based on the contract requirements, as well as per additional needs of the donor and consortium members. The outline of the report and drafting of sections of the final report should be incremental and in process throughout 2022.
• In consultation with the project team plan and develop regular project updates, articles and case studies about the project’s achievements and lessons learnt, and other updates as requested by the SUNI -SEA project’s regional communication team, for uploading to the SUNI SEA website.
• Work in close collaboration with the project team, research consultants and the online learning platform developer to provide input to the effective design and development of a user friendly interactive online learning platform that is accessible and feasible for basic health staff.
• As the situation allows to post SUNI -SEA related articles and news to popular social media sites in Myanmar and monitor coverage and interest.
• Establish or add to a SUNI SEA repository of communication products such as photographs, videos, communication materials, articles, case studies etc.
• Together with the Myanmar senior communications person, support the development of SUNI-SEA project & HelpAge International Myanmar communication materials to share widely within the country and externally.
• Developing a strong working relationship with the communications team and colleagues in Myanmar.
• Shadow and support the SUNI -SEA project team with monitoring and evaluation and donor reporting requirements.
• Support the resource development team in drafting high quality project reports, notes, and expressions of interest as per donor requirements.
• Support the WP5 to ensure that the project deliverables are met.
• Contribute to the content development of SUNI-SEA newsletter and website.

Working Experience

• Bachelor’s degree & 1 yrs and above experience in communication, public relation, and journalism fields preferably previous working experience in INGOs and development areas
• Experienced in managing document filing and analysing, organizing and integrate detailed information clearly, quickly, and consistently
• Experienced in taking quality Photographs, Audio and/or video files
• Experienced in case studies, interviews and building programmed information
• Experienced in producing quality Monitoring & Evaluation reports
• Handling Key data and content for updates and reports to donor and other key stakeholders
• Writing articles or information for HelpAge websites and Newsletters

Personal Specification

• Able to handle desktop publishing, graphic design, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Creative Suite and related IT proficiency
• Publishing or editing experience, Photography Skills
• Proven record of outstanding communication skills, both written and oral including in front of public audience.
• Excellent organizational and time-management and team leadership skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills, willing to work in team and learn from others
• Ability to work effectively with culturally diverse team members from various disciplines, and in a fast-paced team environment
• Miscellaneous support for communications and programmed related tasks
• More Preferable with INGO working experience