Public Engagement and Development Manager (maternity cover)
About DMI
Development Media International (DMI) delivers mass media campaigns to change behaviours and save lives in developing countries. It is the first media organisation to use scientific modelling in order to save the greatest number of lives in the most cost-effective way. DMI is an innovative and rapidly growing social enterprise with an excellent record of improving health outcomes through behaviour change.
In 2011, DMI launched the world’s first scientific trial to test how many lives can be saved using mass media campaigns alone. This major, four-year project is underway in Burkina Faso, West Africa, in collaboration with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). Our mathematical model predicts that if we conduct campaigns in 12 countries over the next 10 years, we will save one million lives. We are looking for a public engagement and development manager (on maternity cover) to help us achieve that goal.
Job description
The public engagement and development manager will join DMI’s small, friendly and dynamic London-based team, providing maternity cover for the current post-holder. He or she will work closely with the Director of Public Engagement and Development to communicate DMI’s innovative approach to key stakeholders, and to identify and develop opportunities for new projects. This role offers excellent personal development opportunities and a varied and exciting range of responsibilities for the right candidate.
The responsibilities of the role include:
1. Developing relationships with key stakeholders who are interested in our approach and in our ongoing trial in Burkina Faso, including funders, policy-makers, governments and implementing organisations.
2. Developing and disseminating public engagement materials targeted at these stakeholders, including briefing notes and documents, presentations, and content for the DMI website, to raise awareness of DMI’s methodologies and achievements and to promote the diversion of resources to this highly cost-effective way of saving lives through mass media.
3. Identifying opportunities for engaging with stakeholders in order to raise awareness of and build support for our approach, and acting on those opportunities as needed.
4. Identifying opportunities for developing and funding new mass media projects in developing countries, and designing projects that meet DMI’s strategic and operational priorities and the needs of funders.
5. Writing and submitting concept notes and proposals in order to secure funding for those projects.
6. Assisting with the development and management of the DMI internship programme.
Person specification
Required knowledge, skills and experience
1. Substantial professional experience in business development and/or fundraising, including proposal writing. Experience of writing funding proposals for DFID and USAID would be highly desirable, but we will consider outstanding individuals whose primary experience is in the private sector.
2. Very strong intellectual ability, as evidenced by a good degree or similar qualifications and performance at interview. While a scientific background is not required, the applicant must be able to demonstrate that s/he is capable of understanding, describing and designing projects that have a scientific basis.
3. Substantial knowledge of the international development field. The ideal candidate will have worked directly for an NGO, implementing agency or funding agency, but we will consider outstanding candidates from the private sector who can demonstrate a familiarity with international development.
4. Outstanding writing skills in English. The successful candidate must be able to communicate concisely, clearly and with flair. S/he must have proven experience writing complex proposals. Additional types of writing experience (journalistic, academic) would be an advantage.
5. Excellent general communication skills, with an ability to conduct meetings authoritatively and enthuse donors. Strong public presentation skills would be an advantage.
6. Substantial experience of developing complex project budgets.
7. Ability to work in a team environment with technical and non-technical staff and to manage effective collaboration between partners and stakeholders, including those with differing agendas.
8. A good understanding of the applications of mass media (a strong media background is not required).
9. A good understanding of public health issues (a public health background is not required).
10. Self-motivated and dynamic. High capacity for work, and resilient and good-humoured under pressure.
11. Permission to live and work in the UK.
Desirable knowledge, skills and experience
1. Experience of working in developing countries.
2. Language skills in French, Portuguese or Spanish.
Application process
To apply, please send a CV (maximum two pages), completed registration form (downloadable above), and a cover letter (maximum two pages) that systematically outlines how your experience fits the job description and person specification to jobs@developmentmedia.net or by clicking Apply Now by 16 September 2012.
Shortlisted candidates can expect to attend an interview on 25 September (with a possible second interview on 27 September). Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend a presentation on DMI’s work at 6.30 pm on 29 August at our London office (Unit 2, First Floor, White Horse Yard, 78 Liverpool Road, London N1 0QD).