Options Consultancy Services Limited is a leading global health consultancy established in 1992 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Marie Stopes International. We manage health programmes that ensure vulnerable women and children can access the high quality health services they need. We work with partners to co-create and implement locally informed solutions to complex health problems. This includes governments, development partners, NGOs, civil society and health workers. Our programming is flexible, evidence-based and politically informed. This means we adapt to changing contexts, use data to inform our decisions and ensure our approach is appropriate. Our focus is always on building local skills and systems that last.

Nepal Health Sector Support Programme (NHSSP) is a technical assistance programme to the Government of Nepal’s Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), funded with UK Aid, designed to support the goals of Nepal Health Sector Strategy (2015/16 - 2020/21) and contribute to the MoHP’s efforts to provide quality health services leaving no-one behind. It is implemented by a consortium led by Options Consultancy Limited, with HERD International and Oxford Policy Management.

Working under the supervision of the Deputy Team Leader and working closely with the rest of the NHSSP team, the Communications and Advocacy Manager will develop a communication strategy for the NHSSP Extension phase. They will coordinate and implement the strategy in order to successfully raise the profile of the NHSSP programme and Options’ wider brand externally. This will include delivering targeted dissemination activities of programme learnings, and fostering a positive internal communications culture, including ensuring that learnings are appropriately communicated for effective adaptive management.

The Communications and Advocacy Manager will work closely with the programme’s MEL officer on an ongoing basis to keep themselves abreast of documented learning and identify key pieces to re-package and disseminate internally across the programme as well as to external audiences. The Communications and Advocacy Manager will also work on a regular basis with NHSSP Thematic Team Leaders, Sub-National Programme Coordinator, and the Office manager to develop and adjust the communications strategy to ensure continuous alignment with the programme strategy and approach; and support any important pieces of communications identified by each thematic area. In addition, they will also work with the Options communications unit and Technical Team (based in the UK), to further enhance the reach and uptake of all internal and external communications activities.

Under the guidance of the Deputy Team Leader and the NHSSP Thematic Leads, the role will be responsible for coordinating and engaging with the BEK’s Communications Manager, and external stakeholders, including other NHSP3 suppliers, media, government, private sector, donors, civil society organisations (CSOs) and any other agencies to promote programme objectives, achievements and learnings.

They will be responsible for supporting the development and dissemination of high quality content and learning materials, aligned with Options’ communication and marketing standards, through a range of communications channels, including the NHSSP programme website and social networks, and ensure they are fit for purpose and aligned with strategic programme goals.

• Post-graduate degree in in communications, journalism, public relations, social sciences, international relations or a related field
• Significant and proven experience (minimum 7 years) in developing and implementing communications and advocacy strategies for health-related (or other similar) programmes in Nepal
• Good skills in documenting and drafting best practices and lessons learned
• Significant experience of writing and re-packaging programme learning for key target audiences in an easy and accessible manner, with use of visual material (e.g. infographics, etc.)
• Significant experience in managing publication production processes, including proofreading, copyediting, creating timelines and working with/supervising subcontractors where necessary
• Basic skills in designing and laying out publications and visuals (e.g. primarily InDesign, other software such as Dreamweaver, Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Publisher, etc.)
• Knowledge of mass media and social media platforms
• Familiarity with the health system or international development work in Nepal
• Deep understanding of the operations of the Govt of Nepal, MoHP, and familiarity with all spheres of government.
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others
• Proactive, self-starter, able to work independently or as part of a team
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Ability to make and articulate clear decisions
• Strong internal and external communication and facilitation skills
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing with a variety of audiences
• Excellent negotiation abilities
• Commitment to equal opportunities
• A commitment to the programme’s and NHSSP principles of Safeguarding, Do No Harm, and to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights
• Applicants must have the right to live and to work in Nepal
• Willingness to travel extensively in the field within Nepal
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Nepali

• Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and post holders to share this commitment.
• We seek people who are pro-choice, energetic and enthusiastic about Options’ vision.
• UK Aid / NHSSP is an equal opportunities employer and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply, including under-represented groups, specifically women and people with disabilities.
• You must have the right to work in Nepal