Deputy Director, Policy Advocacy and Communication, RESET Alcohol initiative - Vital Strategies : Job Details

Deputy Director, Policy Advocacy and Communication, RESET Alcohol initiativeVital Strategies is a global public health organization working in 80+ countries to strengthen public health systems. It has offices in New York City, Paris, Singapore, Jinan, São Paulo, Addis Ababa. Vital develops and oversees programs that address leading causes of morbidity and mortality, providing expertise in project implementation and management, strategic communication, epidemiology and surveillance, and other core public health capacities. Our specific programs include RESET Alcohol, road safety, food policy, tobacco control, overdose prevention, and initiatives to strengthen public health data systems to guide policy and decision-making. Activities are based in low- and middle-income countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Pacific, and in seven U.S. states.Vital Strategies is committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive (DEI) organization. We believe our programs are strengthened when they are developed and supported by individuals with diverse life experiences, whose understanding of social and cultural issues can help make our work and workforce more inclusive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or creed, gender, national origin, ancestry, actual or perceived age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, marital status, sexual orientation, predisposing genetic characteristics, alienage or citizenship status, gender (including gender identity or expression), partnership status, arrest or conviction record, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws. Read about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Vital Strategies: the RESET Alcohol Program:Evidence continues to build that alcohol is a leading driver of early death around the world—from cancer to car crashes, domestic violence and beyond—and that smart policies like taxes on beer, wine and liquor, restricting marketing to kids, and placing warning labels on products could save millions of lives. RESET Alcohol is the world's leading initiative to support uptake of these policies, working across several countries with local partners, using evidence to drive proven policies.Job Purpose:Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Policy Advocacy and Communication and with a dotted line to the Director, Alcohol Policy in the Public Health Programs division, the Deputy Director, RESET Alcohol Initiative will work with Vital Strategies' PAC and RESET teams to support civil society and government partners in focus countries to achieve policy objectives. The Deputy Director will provide strategic communication guidance to country teams and technical support to governments and civil society in planning and implementing evidence-based communication campaigns that build support for public health policies. This role will work closely with the global team on RESET advocacy and communications and will be responsible for managing independent contractors to ensure that deliverables are met within agreed timeframes. The Deputy Director will manage one or two positions as assigned.This is a full-time, New York City-based role, where candidates are expected to adhere to a hybrid (2-days per week in office) schedule. Vital Strategies offers highly competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits. The salary range for this position is $130,000 USD to $134,000 USD. The candidate must have authorization to work legally in the US at the time of hire.This position is grant funded until June 2027 with the potential for subsequent years of support.Duties and Responsibilities:Strategic Communication -Provide strategic communication guidance to country teams, including on whether and how to respond to legislative developments and industry interferenceDevelop and execute robust communication plans to support RESET policy priorities in rapidly evolving and complex policy environmentsProvide strategic communication counsel to Vital, its partners, grantees and other stakeholdersProvide regular updates and engage in strategic discussions with RESET team and partnersPolicy Advocacy and Social Marketing Campaigns -Provide technical support to governments and civil society in planning and implementing evidence-based communication campaigns that build support for public health policies and promote healthy behaviors and change social normsCoordinate and synergize work with Vital Strategies regional and global teams and with partners to achieve objectivesWorking closely with our in-house communication research team, develop key messaging with supporting evidence drawn from polls and industry monitoringWrite and edit RESET content, including reports, one-pagers, comms plans, etc.Create PR materials as needed—such as key message documents, media statements, press releases, presentations and spokesperson talking points—and/or work with team consultants and vendors on production and quality oversight of these materialsSupport content marketing using the web, SEO, email and social media strategiesWork closely with and align stakeholders on advocacy and communication objectives, strategies, tactics, timelines, roles, and budgetsAssist teams with creating social marketing campaigns, from conceptualization to production, media delivery, launch, and evaluation.Manage vendors or advise partners on managing vendors, including creative, production, media planning, research, and evaluation.Plan and execute campaign launches via events and press activityQualifications:Education and Degree -Master's degree or equivalent (in communications or journalism)Skills and Abilities -Superb writer, editor and storyteller. Demonstrated mastery of writing press releases, op eds statements/Twitter threads, program one-pagers, web content, newsletters and social contentExpertise in strategic communication, public relations, policy advocacy and media campaigns, including digital mediaAbility to bring new, creative ideas to communicating the organization's workProven mastery of media relations and success in pitching and securing pressExcellent judgment and strategic thinkingExcellent organizational skills and the ability to successfully manage competing priorities and meet deadlinesSolid knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).Experience:Required -Minimum ten years relevant work experience with at least 5 years' experience managing complex projects within the global health sectorSignificant experience in communicating about health issues, including working with journalists proactively, developing persuasive data-driven content, and executing traditional and digital media campaigns that motivate policy and behavior changeDemonstrated capacity to think strategically, to lead and work within diverse teams, to work in multi-cultural settings and with a high degree of independenceExperience in the operating systems of and working with donors, multilateral organizations, foundations, and technical assistance agenciesExperience of using communication and engagement strategies to achieve policy change objectivesA strong background in coordinating and synergizing work between advocacy and communication teams to achieve desired objectivesA strong track record of engaging productively with subject matter experts, organizational executives and policymakersFamiliarity with social media content and execution, especially on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and XCollaborative approach: a strong track record of working closely with stakeholders, including government agenciesWorking Conditions and Physical Requirements:Travel requirement up to 10%#LI-Hybrid#J-18808-Ljbffr