Communications Advisor – Policy, Advocacy & Financing

United for Global Mental Health is dedicated to creating a world that enables good mental health for all. We draw on our expertise in policy, advocacy, and financing to work with organisations who share our commitment to driving mental health up the political agenda – and securing additional funding for mental health at national and global level.

We unite – a wide range of stakeholders to help achieve change; driving mental health up the political agenda

We advocate and influence – to achieve rights-based policy-making and increased financing, strengthening independent monitoring and accountability

We advise – on strategy, and design and deliver events and activities to encourage high-level political engagement in support of better mental health

We support – global and national advocacy and campaigning; recognising achieving change takes a multi-stakeholder approach

The opportunity

We are searching for a communications advisor to transform research, insights, and stories into communications strategies and compelling content that can change the game on mental health around the world. United for Global Mental Health is a small, fast-paced and entrepreneurial team – this is an exciting opportunity to create a significant impact.

About you

You are a driven individual who is passionate about mental health and determined to make a difference in the lives of as many people as possible.

You will be a seasoned policy and advocacy communications professional, with a deep understanding of audience-first approaches for influence and impact; experience in influencing global and in-country decision-makers and equipping advocates with the tools they need to create change; and a passion for turning technical content into a convincing and accessible case for support.

You will be confident in developing and delivering multiple communications strategies simultaneously for an organisation that works virtually with partners around the world; and in working hand in hand with high-level stakeholders across government, international organisations, civil society, the private sector, research and academia, and the media. You will have up to date understanding of digital communications and media advocacy approaches in a digital-first age.

You will share our commitment to putting lived experience at the heart of all that we do, and to upholding the rights of all who access mental health services.

Responsibilities

Communications

• Strategy: Ensure the development and implementation of communications strategies that help advance the policy and advocacy goals of UnitedGMH, the wider global mental health community, and individual projects
• Relationship management: Build, manage, and activate relationships with technical experts and lived experience advocates within and beyond the mental health community, at both global and national levels
• Project delivery: Play an integral role in the delivery team to donor-funded projects, informing strategic direction; advising on activations (including strategic use of message, channel and voice); and developing communications content as needed
• Bringing research and insights to life: Develop UnitedGMH and partner-branded content (short-form and long-form) based on research and insights; and inform the development of new research to ensure strong communications outcomes
• Toolkit development: Transform technical content into policy advocacy and financing toolkits that can be put to use by global and in-country advocates
• Speaker briefing and prep: Work closely with UnitedGMH and third party voices to secure and prepare for speaking and media engagements
• Media briefing: Build relationships with key elite global and in-country media; and securing coverage at key moments
• Key advocacy moments: Design 360 communications strategies and calls to action for key advocacy moments e.g. World Health Assembly, World Mental Health Day, IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings; Global Fund Replenishment; UN General Assembly, in collaboration with other key actors
• UnitedGMH brand and voice: Support the communications manager (brand and digital) in the development of the UnitedGMH brand, with a particular focus on providing technical insights into thought leadership content
• Fundraising: Inform the UnitedGMH fundraising strategy and proposal development for impact-led project opportunities, integrating communications into UnitedGMH offering
• Measurement and reporting: Inform and guide implementation of monitoring and measurement of communications activity against project KPIs

Management and administration

• Senior Management: Support the CEO to ensure UnitedGMH operations and resources are managed in accordance with policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and good practice in all aspects of the charity’s work
• Financial Management: Support the CEO to ensure the development of the annual budget and ensure effective monitoring and management of resources; support the development and delivery against restricted project budgets
• Line management: Lead contracting and management of consultants as needed
• Representation: Represent UnitedGMH as required both in private and public settings
• UnitedGMH and American Friends of UnitedGMH Board engagement: Support the CEO in reporting to the UnitedGMH board and the American Friends of UnitedGMH

Other duties that may be required by the CEO and board of trustees. Essential attributes and experience

• Management-level experience relevant to the role
• Experience of communications in global health and/or international development at both global and country levels
• An ability to develop and execute communications strategies to achieve change working with a wide variety of stakeholders
• Proven expertise in technical policy advocacy and financing communications
• Media relations expertise (top tier elite media)
• Up to date digital communications experience
• Ability to build and develop partnerships and initiatives to promote collaborative communications
• Strong team working orientation, with the ability and social skills to work collaboratively with staff at all levels and all parts of the organisation
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Political sensitivity and ability to apply good judgement in decision making Desirable attributes and experience
• Fluency in at least one additional language beyond English is strongly desired
• A proven track record in developing and executing strategies to achieve communications goals in support of better mental health at global and/or country level
• Familiar with, and a champion of, communications informed by global and national experts including People With Lived Experience of mental health conditions

Location: Global. (100% remote working). Candidates must have the right to work in their location.

Reporting To: Policy Advocacy Financing Director

Term: 2 year fixed-term contract

How to apply

Closing date:  8^th May @ 23:59 BST

Please click on the ‘apply for job’ button to submit your application. For this role, kindly submit a MS Word version of your CV and a cover letter of no more than two A4 sides setting out how you meet the person specification.

Please name your submitted files with the following reference: UGMH_CA

Red Sea is committed to meeting the standards set out in their Equality and Diversity recruitment policy; this includes not discriminating under the Equality Act 2010 and building an accurate picture of the make-up of the workforce in encouraging equality and diversity.