Background

The International Hospital Federation (IHF) is an international not for profit, non-governmental membership organization. Our vision is a world of healthy communities served by well-managed hospitals and healthcare services, where individuals can reach their highest potential for health.

Headquartered in Geneva (Switzerland), the IHF is the voice of hospitals on the global stage. We are in official relations with the World Health Organization, and in working relations with many multilateral agencies and global health-related NGOs.

Our members are hospitals and healthcare organizations worldwide, who have direct involvement in the delivery of care. We provide our members with a platform for the exchange of knowledge, unique opportunities for global collaborations with different actors in the health sector, and access to an extensive network of healthcare leaders.

The IHF established the Geneva Sustainability Centre in 2022. The Geneva Sustainability Centre supports hospitals and healthcare services to address the sustainability challenges of today and tomorrow. It aims to equip current and future hospital leaders with the information, tools, and skills to drive this sustainable transformation at leadership, management, and institutional levels.

Position overview

Reporting to the Senior Communications Manager, the Communications and Marketing Officer is responsible for the production and implementation of communications, marketing, and media outputs. This role requires a candidate with exceptional written English, excellent communications skills, relevant experience, and a ‘can do’, flexible demeanour.

The postholder will work with a range of colleagues within the IHF and Geneva Sustainability Centre. Externally, the postholder will engage with a range of stakeholders across the organization’s global community so should be adept at tailoring their work to suit different audiences.

Responsibilities

The post holder will be responsible for delivering high-quality communications, marketing, and engagement activities for the IHF and Geneva Sustainability Centre, under the direction of the Senior Communications Manager.

• Implementing activities in support of the strategic communications and marketing framework of the IHF and Geneva Sustainability Centre, taking account of target audiences, channels, evaluation, and alignment with organizational objectives, values, and audience expectations.
• Delivering communications, marketing, and engagement projects and campaigns for both the IHF and Geneva Sustainability Centre (including defining goals, tactics, and metrics) in alignment with defined strategic goals, scope, quality, and timescales.
• Writing and editing high-quality content for the IHF and Geneva Sustainability Centre’s external communication channels, (including website, newsletter, press/media, social media, partner engagement toolkits, blog, email marketing) in a professional, accessible tone, using plain English techniques to suit to a global audience.
• Building and maintaining relationships with relevant media outlets worldwide to promote news, events, and activities, and responding to media inquiries and interview requests.
• Strengthening networks and communities of valued IHF and Geneva Sustainability Centre contacts to maintain and build on engagement in target sectors (e.g., young executive leaders).

This is a hands-on ‘doing’ role in a dynamic and growing organization. The post holder may be asked to undertake other reasonable duties in addition to those listed in this job description.

Profile requirements

Prospective candidates will need to demonstrate these competencies in an assessment and at interview.

Essential criteria:

• Hold a university degree in a relevant subject and have 1–2 years’ experience (of internships or employment, or both) in a similar position and organization, including a track record of delivering successful communications and marketing projects.
• Be a skilled communicator with an ability to confidently engage, at all organizational levels, with a broad international network. Professionally represent the organization at events and through networking, acting as an ambassador for the organization at all times.
• Be a native or fully bilingual English speaker with exceptional writing skills (the operating language of the IHF is English); able to draft compelling, plain English messaging for a global, professional audience with careful attention to detail and consistent application of house style.
• Have experience in producing publication-ready communications, marketing, and engagement deliverables from start to finish; able to demonstrate project management and time management skills to complete tasks to agreed timelines and of consistently high quality.
• Be flexible and demonstrate careful judgement in prioritizing competing priorities; able to and change focus and adapt workplans to accommodate shifting or additional requirements.
• Hold an excellent command of Microsoft Office 365 suite (Word, Outlook, Teams, Excel).
• Have familiarity or experience working with software for websites, CRMs, design, and social media management (e.g., WordPress, Nutshell, Canva, Hootsuite, Google Analytics).
• Be able to work remotely, blending in-person and virtual approaches as required.
• Swiss or EU citizenship or a valid work permit for Switzerland at the time of application is a pre-requisite.

Desirable criteria:

• Have relevant experience or knowledge of the issues related to organizations in the fields of healthcare, leadership development, or sustainability, or of the operations of a membership organizations.
• Knowledge of public relations and stakeholder engagement.
• Knowledge of market research, sales, or subscription services.

What the IHF offers

• Working for the IHF and Geneva Sustainability Centre presents an opportunity to join a small but dynamic team, working in the vibrant international Geneva NGO ecosystem.
• This position provides a platform to build experience in the global healthcare and sustainability environment, and to meet healthcare leaders around the world.
• Flexible working is available to IHF staff: arrangements to work from home are possible, but you should be able to come to Geneva on a regular basis.
• We offer a permanent contract (full-time position on 42 hours a week basis) with a competitive local salary (based on the salary table of the Canton of Geneva for public services).

Applying for the role

This is an exciting opportunity for the right candidate. If this sounds like you, please apply by sending your application to ihf.secretariat@ihf-fih.org by 20 November 2023 with the subject “IHF Communications and Marketing Officer”, enclosing:

• a cover letter in English describing your motivations and relevant experience for this position (maximum of two pages);
• a concise CV.

The IHF is committed to fostering an organizational culture which values respect, teamwork, and excellence, and to building a working environment in which all staff are empowered and respected. In recruiting candidates, we seek candidates with the proven skills required, irrespective of race, gender, religion or belief, age, disability, or sexual orientation.