Information training manager

The Government of the Virgin Islands invites qualified and professional applicants to apply. Public Service Comission of the British Virgin Islands, Department of Disaster Management.

Main responsibilities include:

-  Developing, implementing and maintaining an outgoing Public Awareness & Education programme designed to keep government agencies, private and voluntary organizations and members of the public fully informed on all aspects of disaster threats and the measures that should be taken to cope with them.
-  Function in a supervisory capacity over the Assistant Information Officer as it relates to website development and maintenance and media production.
-  Gathering resource material needed to implement and generate public awareness, public education and public information activities and making sure production of news releases, features, advisories, public service announcements, audio and video programmes and other work is kept on schedule.
-  Persuade media to publish/broadcast information; respond to enquiries from the media and general public, plan/assist in the coordination of media events and provide the media with information as necessary.
-  Write, design, and edit communications for internal and external audiences, including newsletters, brochures, flyers, and other outreach materials, videos and the WWW home pages.
-  Arranging and implementing in conjunction with GIS and DGO Information Officer for internal and external coverage of programmes and activities, press conferences and press briefings; and for preparing press kits for such.
-  Liaising with government agencies, non-governmental agencies and agencies with disaster roles and responsibilities to gather or disseminate information as required.
-  Participating in training courses pertinent to the job; keeping abreast of the latest developments in the field of communication with specific emphasis on public relations and public education so that the Department is continually updated and expanded.
-  Attending public participation consultation meetings and functions as necessary; coordinating all requests from the public for presentation, training, information and assisting in making presentations to the public.
-  Preparing reports on activities for submission to the Director, making recommendations to overcome problems and improve efficiency.
-  Maintain and keep track of budget expenditures.
-  Work with other programme officers to provide support for their programme area.
-  Conduct campaigns to educate the public on various hazards.
-  Provide audio and video coverage to document various events.
-  Prepare news releases on events related to Disaster Management.
-  Conduct periodic surveys to assess the effectiveness and reach of the Public Information & Education programme.
-  Maintaining and updating the department’s website.
-  Manage and maintain all related inventories.

Requirements:

-  The position requires a Bachelor´s degree preferably in Public Relations, Journalism, Mass Communication, or a closely related field.
-  Minimum five (5) years experience in public relations/marketing firm/area of media broadcast or equivalent. The incumbent should possess at least three (3) years experience in a management/supervisory position. Some of this experience should have been gained as a trained instructor or certified teacher.
-  Must have excellent communication skills (both public speaking and written skills).
-  Strong organizational skills.
-  Outgoing personality and ability to deal with a wide range of persons.
-  Good knowledge of principles/practices of journalism and public relations; photography, art, color, design, layout, basic printing/composition.
-  Ability to speak and write clearly; interacts effectively with a variety of persons; have persuasive communication techniques; and work well under pressure.