Communication Assistant

The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) aims at building scientific capacity In developing countries. The TWAS Executive Director is the overall responsible officer for TWAS and the entire TWAS-IAP-OWSD Secretariat.

Under the overall supervision of the IAP Coordinator, the incumbent will be responsible for implementing the IAP communications strategy (50%) and developing and maintaining the activities of the YPL alumni network (50%), as follows:

• Prepare and upload news reports and other material to the IAP website; disseminate IAP material via social media (mainly Twitter); assist in the preparation of the IAP Annual Report and electronic bulletin; maintain an IAP photo archive; and, when relevant, assist with publication of press releases and follow up on their impact.
• Assist in the preparation of the IAP Annual Report by collating information, fact-checking and proof-reading chapters and the (quarterly) electronic bulletin by selecting items for inclusion and editing text; design and format other publications.
• Assist in the preparation of press releases (e.g. by extracting information from IAP Statements and other publications, and requesting quotes from experts); assist in their dissemination, including through social media cards and potentially short videos/Gifs; follow up on their visibility and impact.
• Provide communication support for IAP events, workshops and other meetings, including preparation of Powerpoint presentations, contacting local media, following up with articles for IAP website and social media posts.
• Implement IAP’s social media outreach (mainly via publishing regular Twitter entries).
• Provide regular reports on numbers accessing IAP digital communications, monitor online presence (e.g. page views, Twitter impressions, etc).
• Maintain a database of photographs of IAP activities, requesting suitable pictures from partners, regional networks, etc, when appropriate.
• Curate the Young Physician Leaders (YPL) website content (https://www.interacademies.org/project/young-physician-leaders-ypl), including liaison with the website hosting agency; maintaining updated information on alumni; and ensuring that they receive updated information about IAP opportunities in which they can engage.
• Facilitate contacts between YPL alumni and their engagement in small working group interactions and individual peer learning: arrange webinars and other events for the YPL alumni; inform YPL alumni about opportunities for their engagement and mobilization in IAP and other activities/opportunities with other international/potential partners.
• Respond to information requests about IAP and the YPL programme; prepare and issue letters/communications and other standard administrative tasks, including by liaising with TWAS Finance and Administration Offices.
• Undertake other duties as required.

Education:

• Completed secondary, technical and/or vocational school.

Work Experience:

• Minimum three (3) years of relevant working experience in communications production and/or website management, social networking, or a related area.
• Capacity and flexibility to adapt to different cultural environments ; cooperative behaviour and positive attitude to undertake teamwork successfully. Experience in working with web-based Content Management Tools and preparing messages for web audiences.

Skills and competencies :

• Knowledge of standard office software such as MS-Word, Excel, PowerPoint, internet and web resources.
• Knowledge of additional design and formatting programmes (e.g. Adobe InDesign) and photo- and video-editing software an asset.
• Good knowledge of standard virtual platform operations.
• Ability to effectively communicate in a professional manner, both orally and in writing.
• Excellent knowledge of social media and ability to stay current on social media trends.

Languages:

• Excellent knowledge (spoken and written) of English.

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