Communications Advisor

About Public Health Ontario

Public Health Ontario (PHO) is seeking a skilled Communications Advisor to join its Communication Services department in Toronto.

This posting is to fill a current vacancy.

The Role of a Communications Advisor

The Communications Advisor will be responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive communication plans, strategies, tools, and tactics to effectively convey and promote PHO’s vital activities and initiatives. This role involves providing essential expertise and support to both internal programs and external stakeholders, contributing to increasing the profile of public health across the province.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the development and implementation of PHO’s communications strategy to elevate public health awareness and promote PHO’s role. This includes identifying key stakeholders, opportunities, appropriate tactics, and developing adaptable key messages for various media.
• Write, edit, and formulate a diverse range of communications materials, such as intranet and internet website content, social media posts, blog entries, newsletter content, fact sheets, pamphlets, brochures, internal and external reports, stakeholder scientific briefs, and speeches. Coordinate distribution with senior staff approval.
• Liaise with external vendors including photographers, translators, illustrators, graphic designers, and printers to ensure accuracy and quality in PHO product production.
• Provide ongoing expert advice and support to PHO program client groups for promoting their initiatives, research studies, events, and reports. This includes translating complex scientific information into audience-appropriate language and ensuring wide dissemination.
• Support the development of communication-related processes and policies, such as visual identity guidelines. Monitor PHO communication activities for adherence to corporate standards and legislative directives, and measure the effectiveness of communication plans.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with contacts at the Ministry of Health, government officials, media partners, public health departments, and other stakeholders for coordinated activities, briefings, and information requests.
• Assist with departmental projects, contribute to team operations, stay updated on new media technologies, and integrate innovations into communication programs. Remain informed about Agency and institutional program activities.

Knowledge and Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge of the health sector and medical communications to effectively research, write, and edit communication materials.
• Expertise in communications and information-gathering principles, specifically in developing communication tools for various media to support technical programs.
• Ability to perform effectively in a high-profile, fast-paced environment, possessing strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and deliver results under tight deadlines.
• Capacity to work effectively under pressure with minimal supervision.
• Strong research and analytical skills required to understand legislation, policies, and guidelines for communication planning and product development.
• Aptitude for quickly familiarizing with new projects and extracting salient information to create effective communication solutions under time constraints.
• High proficiency in computer applications including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Adobe DC for AODA remediation, social media scheduling/analytic tools, email marketing systems, and desktop publishing applications.

Education and Experience

• Baccalaureate degree or an equivalent combination of post-secondary diploma, training, and experience in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field.
• Three to five years of proven experience in writing, journalism, or new media, with exceptional copyediting and proofreading skills for clarity and readability.
• Demonstrated experience in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of digital communications initiatives.
• Proven experience leading web and graphic design projects, coupled with a solid understanding of project management techniques, practices, and processes.

Attributes and Competencies

• Exhibit strong writing, editing, and verbal communication skills for various materials, including speeches, reports, web content, and scientific briefs.
• Apply strong interpersonal skills to interact with clients and translate medical/scientific information for diverse audiences.
• Collaborate closely with program areas to prioritize communication needs and ensure necessary support is provided.
• Foster cooperative relationships with government officials, media, and stakeholders to coordinate activities and disseminate information.
• Proactively anticipate program needs for tactical planning, audience engagement, and developing effective dissemination policies.
• Enhance PHO’s communications through new media and digital methods for broad channel information dissemination.
• Ensure timely and appropriate delivery of communication services and products, including scientific translation.
• Accountable for collaborating with clients and Knowledge Services to set communication priorities.
• Accountable for supporting PHO communication strategies to increase public health profile and promote the PHO role.

Key skills/competency

• Communications Strategy
• Content Creation
• Public Health
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Medical Communications
• Digital Media
• Scientific Translation
• Project Management
• Social Media Marketing
• Policy Adherence