Communications Specialist

Organization Name: YLabs

Location: Kigali, Rwanda

Eligible Citizenship: Rwanda

Role Code: R08B-Nat

Role Overview

The Communications Specialist role will work to:

• Support the implementation of YLabs’ marketing and communication strategy organization-wide

• Increase awareness of YLabs’ mission, work, and impact among key partners, agencies, and organizations

• Increase awareness  of opportunities for young people in Sub-Saharan Africa

​This position reports to the Senior Marketing and Communications Specialist, as part of the growth and partnerships department at YLabs. It is supported by additional communications staff in Rwanda and the USA.

Responsibilities

Social Media Management

• Contribute in developing YLabs Social Media Strategy
• Manage the social media editorial calendar, creating and curating posts
• Oversee social media communications, including social media campaigns for key days and topic; disseminate stories of our work and impact
• Promote YLabs’ international speaking engagements and events on social media

Media Relations

• Support local and online media relations, building partnerships with media partners and developing and disseminating press releases and briefings
• Establish and manage media database, building a trusted editorial base of target media contacts to increase the probability of op-ed placements around relevant global health trends and challenges

Writing and editing

• Develop content for YLabs website partner communications, working with project teams to tell compelling stories of our work and impact
• Manage the review and approval process
• Write and edit various publications, including news releases, feature articles, and news stories which highlight the goals, objectives, and impact of YLabs
• Provide support to additional external communications, including pitch decks, reports, and conference presentations

Knowledge Management

• Work with global teams to oversee the curation and management of project assets, including libraries of photos and images

Skills and Experience

Items indicated with an asterisk (*) are required

• At least four years of experience working in communications, media/journalism, external/public relations, or a related field*
• Experience working with the media, such as creating media briefs or kits, press releases, message documents, and/or talking points*
• Excellent writing skills with experience creating materials for publication, such as feature stories or opinion pieces*
• Experience managing an organization’s social media accounts, such as Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Vimeo, or YouTube*
• Working proficiency in Kinyarwanda and/or French
• Experience working in a public health context, especially in Rwanda
• Strong experience with email marketing software/platforms (preferably Mail Chimp)
• Proficiency in website management, ideally Squarespace or a similar platform
• Passionate about improving the health and opportunity of young people globally
• Committed to operationalizing equity in our work and decolonizing global health
• Committed to building trusting, convivial working relationships that support wellness, creativity, and collective joy
• Willing to work flexible hours to accommodate evening calls with staff in other time zones
• High attention to detail, and able to prioritize and manage time effectively, meeting deadlines consistently

About the Organization

YLabs is a global design and research organization that designs, tests, and advocates for youth-driven solutions to improve young people’s (aged 10-24 years) health and economic opportunity. Our team of physicians, designers, economists, developers, public health professionals, and educators work in 16 countries with a base in Rwanda and the USA. We bring a unique mix of human-centered design, adolescent health, outcome evaluation, and implementation know-how to the global problems facing youth.

YLabs was founded at the Harvard Innovation Lab in 2016 in response to a need for innovation in partnership with youth. Despite impressive global reductions in child mortality over recent decades, there has been little improvement in the health and survival of young people globally.

By 2020, YLabs had engaged more than 15,000 youth in the design and evaluation of programming meant for them, and their services and programs had reached more than 17,000 young people. In 2021, their programs are set to reach over 150,000 young people globally with services to support their health and economic opportunity.

Role Function: Communications, Knowledge Management

Issue Area: Economic Development, Healthcare Access, Technology for Health

Stipend, Benefits, and Logistics

Click here to learn about the stipend, benefits, and logistics associated with the GHC fellowship.

Note: these vary depending on placement country and citizenship