Communications Lead, HCDExchange

Country: Kenya

Organization: John Snow

Closing date: 3 Mar 2023

About HCDExchange

The HCDExchange is a knowledge hub dedicated to exploring how human-centered design (HCD) can improve sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs and rights for young people (HCD+ASRH). It is managed within JSI’s Center for Health Information, Monitoring and Evaluation (CHIME), a technical assistance, research, and knowledge group dedicated to improving the quality of health information and increasing evidence-based decision making in the health sector. The HCDExchange convenes a global Community of Practice (CoP) that drives, shares and increases learning to help shape this field. The CoP consists of implementers, funders, designers, evaluators and youth who share our vision. We focus on low-resource settings, with a particular focus on countries in Sub Saharan Africa and South Asia. The HCDExchange aims, through our learning, to accelerate the field of HCD+ASRH and thereby elevate young people’s agency and transform sexual and reproductive health outcomes for youth and adolescents. This role serves on the senior management team and is client facing.

Purpose of the Consultancy

To lead the Communications workstream for the HCDExchange project to boost visibility, and support business development priorities and the work of the learning and community engagement workstreams. The Communications function is a cross-cutting service function that requires guiding strategic thinking, delivering high-quality learning products and providing a core communications function within the Secretariat. Key audiences that are served by the communications function include the Secretariat staff, the HCDExchange Community of Practice, members, as well as new and potential collaborators and funders. The Communications Advisor will manage the Communications Associate, other communications-related consultants and vendors. They will also sit on the Management team meetings to guide and advise on critical communications issues. The Communications Lead will be managed by the HCDExchange Director.

Key activities and Deliverables

Lead and implement the HCDExchange Communications Strategy

• Develop a work plan outlining key tasks over the consultancy period.


• Lead on corporate communications for HCDExchange


• Provide support in increasing the quality of internal and external communications outputs including but not limited to HCDExchange periodic and donor reports and any press materials.

Increase visibility and impact

• Increase visibility through strategizing and providing advice, identifying, planning and coordination support for external communications, including international conferences, regional fora and speaking engagements. This may also include story pitches, press releases and opinion editorials.


• Responsible for leading on conceptualizing, creating and publishing of high quality multi platform innovative communications outputs (slide decks, infographics, blogs, thought leadership pieces and audiovisual content).


• Proactively identify products to translate learning that has been curated and generated by the HCDExchange.


• Identify, build and/or support HCDX partnership communications efforts to help increase and deepen engagement with priority audiences.


• Guide the HCDExchange delivery team and Management Team in content creation and prioritizing information materials to showcase project milestones, and progress.

Enhance HCDExchange Secretariat capabilities to deliver strong communications and support project outcomes

• Oversee the development and adherence of HCDExchange communications assets (Style Guide, brand etc)


• Support Communications capacity development efforts on training, tools and processes


• Sign off on external communications, including social media content and the monthly bilingual newsletter.


• Planning the Communications workstream, responsible for monitoring and evaluating quality of communications outputs and management of Communications Associate and website developer.


• Lead in updating the HCDExchange content bank.


• Work with the HCDExchange team on editorial of periodic reports including funders’ reports.


• Oversee the promotion of webinars and community events by providing guidance on framing, managing the development of marketing collaterals, developing and publishing webinar summaries.


• Oversee updated communications guidance Manage and mentor staff.


• Build communications training programmes to uplift quality of communications.

Support to business development

• Support for key messages and refinement of language and tone in concept notes and proposals.


• Participate in outreach for new business development, as needed.


• Support for development and design of core business development collaterals (one pagers, slide decks and other documents or materials).


• Manage and mentor the HCDExchange as needed.


• Participate in HCDExchange Meetings and as designated by line and activity managers.

Desired Qualifications

• BA or MA in public health or related field, or communications-related field required.


• Strong demonstrated experience in technical writing, product development, knowledge translation and/or communications in Public Health / Development/Human centered design (HCD).


• Past experience working in development particularly Public Health is preferred. Experience working in Design is a plus.


• Proven ability to collaborate in conceptualizing, planning, and transferring technical and operational learning.


• At least 8 years experience working in public health or related fields in technical writing/editing, product development, knowledge translation and/or communications.


• Deep understanding of the marketing, branding, media and communications landscape with a track record of generating and copy-editing communications products used in policy-relevant research (i.e. advocacy products, policy briefs, infographics, etc.)


• Demonstrated experience in developing content that clearly communicates ideas, lessons learnt and experiences for print production (technical briefs, posters, popular reports), for dissemination on platforms that include web, conferences, and audio-visual productions. Ability to bring new ideas and methods to ways in which we communicate our work.


• Good understanding of systems (internally within the JSI enterprise and externally as it relates to your work) and how to influence them.


• Ability to work with concurrent demands and limited supervision while supporting implementation of a common agenda across the JSI enterprise.


• Inclusive culture builder. Effective communicator and trusted facilitator who engages, motivates, celebrates, and resolves differences and conflicts among diverse partners.


• Knowledge of WordPress preferred;


• Knowledge of Adobe Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, etc.); Demonstrated abilities with Proven graphic design and video production/editing skills - able to use tools like Photoshop, iMovie, Final Cut and Canva for digital content creation.


• Excellent written, oral, and comprehension command in English.


• Knowledge of French is a plus.

Duration of the Assignment

This assignment is expected to take 18 days a month (assuming 85% LoE) until September 2023. The consultant will invoice for approved consultancy days required to achieve the required deliverable upon an agreed timeline.

How to apply

To apply, please visit this link and submit your CV and a 1 page cover letter outlining why you’re an excellent candidate for this role. JSI is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability status, religion, ethnic origin, color, race, marital status, or other protected characteristics.

Note that this is a “local hire” — candidates must be nationals of a country located in sub-Sahara Africa or South Asia. The preference would be East Africa especially in Nairobi, Kenya.

The application deadline is 5pm on 3 March 2023 (EAT time). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Please note that:

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.


• We do not solicit for any fee payment at any stage of recruitment.