Senior Associate – Communications and Engagement

Overview

Are you passionate about making a tangible impact on a global scale?

Would you be excited to work alongside disruptors who are transforming the way mental health programs are funded and delivered?

Are you interested in working in a dynamic start-up that is well-connected to leaders in the non-profit sector with the potential to make a significant difference?

Are you a great communicator with huge initiative, curious about the world, who thrives in a positive work culture and always looks to exceed expectations?

Then you may be interested in this role.

 

Role Specification 

This role will support and also lead crucial projects and tasks to ensure the effective functioning of the organization. In particular, the role will focus on the external engagement of the organization, with a focus on external communications and related projects and their administration.

General roles and responsibilities

• Lead on research (for example, to feed into program development, proposals/pitches and presentations);
• Assist with tender/funding proposals, including identifying new opportunities and writing/preparing responses;
• Manage new projects as they arise, including developing ideas, project planning and coordinating the team’s activities;
• Support colleagues with related tasks, as required, in particular supporting and covering for the Senior Associate (Strategic Operations).

Specific role focus 

As a small start-up, HBGI does not have a communications department. This role will be responsible for both the overall strategy and approach to our communications, as well as shaping our message and executing the deliverables, including specific campaigns. They will:

• Bring together all our disparate communications to date, to shape a coherent and compelling message;
• Own and improve utilization of existing communications channels (website, social media accounts, newsletter) and associated audience lists where relevant. This will include a refresh of the current approach, including the website;
• Lead and own the development of public-facing communications products (both general and program-specific), including press releases and presentations and pitches to funders;
• Build a network of communications contacts across our existing partners and beyond;
• Project manage and execute HBGI-led events, also maintaining an ‘events calendar’ identifying key external events for HBGI to attend/present at/partner with;
• Where needed, procure and manage third party partners, designers, consultants, and vendors to successfully deliver against priorities, plans, and expectations;
• Liaise with our Lived Experience Council (LEC) Communications workstream to ensure their input on relevant materials and approaches.

 

Interested in Applying?

If you are interested in the role, please submit a three-page max CV/resume and a one-page max cover letter, in English, describing your fit and your interest, to opportunities@hbgi.org. Please state the job title in the subject line. Please note that the opportunity closes on 23rd May and we will evaluate all applications on a rolling basis.

We will acknowledge all applications but anticipate a large response. We will follow up further with those who are the closest fit, with the next steps of the selection process involving a written assessment, an interview (including a short presentation), and a meeting with members of the LEC.

Please note: we are interested in hearing only from potential candidates who did not previously apply for the HBGI roles advertised as Communications & Projects Officer and Executive & Projects Officer. Previous applicants will not be reconsidered.

 

Skills and experience requirements

Requirements for the role include:

• A good degree from a well-regarded university;
• At least three years of interesting, relevant work experience (post university);
• Excellent written and spoken English (and an eye for detail when presenting);
• Curiosity and an open mind and the ability to adapt to a changing environment;
• A self-starter with strong multitasking abilities who likes to get things done;
• A global outlook and awareness of the world and its challenges;
• Proven interest in one or more of the following:mental and/or brain health
  • services targeting excluded communities
  • international development
  • performance-based contracting, and
  • impact investing.

Not required but strongly preferred is experience of:

• Website design and maintenance;
• Project planning and reporting;
• Proposal writing.

 

Terms of employment

Salary, Hours, and Benefits

The salary will depend on location and will be around, for example, $28,000 for someone Ghana-based, £38,000 for someone UK-based, $55,000 for someone USA-based.

To make sure you can participate actively in our largely virtual business, you’ll need to organize your own technology, including a laptop, internet, and telephone. We’ll factor this in when we determine your salary, and we’re happy to provide guidance if you need help getting set up.

We work a 40-hour week. You can plan these hours to suit you (around the working week of Monday – Friday) but you have to take the needs of the business into account, i.e. be available for meetings when needed, and must keep your team and line manager informed of your plans. At HBGI, we care about your wellbeing and want you to take time for yourself. It’s important to switch off at the end of the day and over the weekend to recharge your batteries. That’s why we keep Fridays free of internal meetings, so you can end your week on a positive note with your to-do list clear.

We believe in investing in your growth and development and if you want to continue learning, we are happy to cover the cost of your studies.

You will have 33 days holiday, including HBGI leave and nationally-set holidays. After the first year of probation, this then increases by a day a year until it reaches 38 (including nationally-set days).

 

Length of Contract

The contract runs for an initial term of 12 months with the aim then to move these to permanent positions. Employment at HBGI is always contingent on our funding.

The start date is ASAP.

 

Location

The individuals in these roles could be located anywhere. However, our time zones right now (where we have team members already located) are West Africa, Northern Europe and North America. We work largely from home but may take shared working space for some days each month when more than one member of staff is located in the same place.