Communications Intern

Communications Intern

BACKGROUND

The Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) is an Institution of the Caricom Community (CARICOM) and the technical Organ of the Caribbean Meteorological Organization (CMO). The mandate of the CIMH is to assist in improving and developing the meteorology and hydrology services as well as providing awareness of the benefits of meteorology and hydrology for the economic well-being of the sixteen CMO Member States. This is achieved through training, research, investigations, and the provision of related specialised services and advice.

In achieving its mandate, the CIMH has established an affiliation with the University of the West Indies,  Cave Hill campus, where its primary responsibility is to deliver the Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) programme in Meteorological Organization as (a) its designated Regional Training Centre in the Caribbean for Meteorology and Hydrology and related disciplines,  (b) its designated Regional Instrument Centre for the Caribbean,  (c) a Centre of Excellence in Satellite Meteorology Training,  (d) its designated Regional Climate Centre for the Caribbean and (e) the Pan American Node of the Sand and Dust Storm Warning Alerting and Assessment System.

The CIMH hosts and manages the Caribbean Centre for Climate and Environmental Simulations established within the last decade in recognition of the region’s need for high-speed computing to support operational and research activities in meteorology, hydrology, climatology and marine science.  In addition, the CIMH is the Climate Data Centre for CMO member Stats and is recognised as the leading regional centre for research and development related to meteorology, hydrology, agro-meteorology and climate and their applications. More recently, the CIMH established the Regional Marine Forecast Centre to support operational marine forecasting across the region and to provide some of the science essential for improving marine governance and decision making.

The CIMH is active in such areas, including but not limited to environmental modeling, hydrological risk impacts forecasting and early warning system development. The CIMH has strong collaborations with other regional institutions such as the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, the Caribbean Tourism Organization, the Caribbean Development Bank and the Caribbean Agriculture Research and Development Institute in addition to national organisations in CMO Member States. The CIMH also has strong links with the international community inclusive of donor agencies, universities, research and development centres and intergovernmental organisations.

EarthMedic and EarthNurse was founded in 2020 to mobilise health professionals and others to face the climate and health crisis through advocacy, training, research, and partnerships, beginning in the Caribbean. In January 2021, the NGO was legally incorporated as a not-for-profit, with their headquarters in Trinidad and Tobago. EarthMedic and EarthNurse collaborated with the CIMH in 2022- 2024 on delivery of regional, live-virtual training courses on climate change and health for health professionals and others, which reached over 600 persons in over 30 countries.

Climate change, along with the related crises of pollution and loss of biodiversity, represents the greatest threat to public health in the 21st Century. Climate change is having multiple adverse health effects in the Caribbean, one of the most vulnerable regions in the world to the effects of the climate crisis. Climate disruptions in the region are at an all-time high, with intense hurricanes, floods and landslides, accelerating sea level rise, extreme heat, warming oceans, and drought causing increased injuries and deaths, heat-related illness, vector borne diseases, mental health disorders, non- communicable diseases, and population displacement.

In response to this climate/health crisis, in 2021 representatives from five partner institutions - EarthMedic and EarthNurse Foundation for Planetary Health, the Emory Rollins School of Public Health, the Pan American Health Organization, the University of the West Indies, and the Center on Climate Change and Health at Yale School of Public Health -- formed the Research for Action on Climate Change and Health in the Caribbean Project (R4ACCHCP) to develop a Caribbean Research for Action Agenda (CRAA) on climate change and health, and which is now complete. Development of the CRAA was supported by a small grant from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The CRAA has identified eighteen (18) research priority areas in four domains:

(a)    Health impacts, exposures and vulnerability.

(b)    Adaptation, planning and resilience for health.

(c)    Mitigation actions and health co-benefits.

(d)    Resources and engagement for climate change and health action.

As a member and co-chair of the R4ACCHCP consortium which developed the CRAA, EarthMedic and EarthNurse is now seeking partnerships to help disseminate and implement the CRAA.

The dissemination process commenced with the publication of a 150,000-word, unabridged version of the CRAA in early 2024 on the websites of the five partner organisations. This is the first comprehensive climate and health research agenda for the Caribbean, representing literally hundreds of inputs from experts from the region and beyond. Other parts of the dissemination strategy which complement this proposal include publication of a peer-reviewed paper of 3,500 words on the CRAA aimed at the academic and research community.

OBJECTIVES

The focus of this internship is to disseminate the Caribbean Research for Action Agenda (CRAA) and promote its use by national authorities and regional institutions, lecturers and researchers, funding agencies and partners, civil society organisations, and professionals interested in climate and health action.

SCOPE OF WORK

Within the framework of the Caribbean Action for Resilience Programme, the specific duties and responsibilities of the intern include:

(a) Participation in online R4ACCHCP coordinating committee meetings and climate and health online webinar workshops.

(b) Support the dissemination of the CRAA and promotion of its use throughout the Caribbean using a range of media and mechanisms.

(c) Create a plan and content outline for a joint podcast series with CIMH/EarthMedic highlighting topics from the agenda

(d) Liaise with the CIMH Communication Specialist to develop an animated infographic to publicize the agenda and to ensure that all CRAA communications products follow the CIMH and donor agencies communications, visibility and branding guidelines and requirements.

(e) Develop and implement effective communication strategies that build awareness of and the use of the CRAA.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The intern is required to have at least a BSc in either Communications Studies, Mass Communications, Journalism or Public Relations. Specifically, strong consideration will be given to candidates who are currently registered in a MSc programme or have completed the BSc or MSc in the last 1-3 years. In addition, the intern should have:

(a)   General knowledge of climate change impacts;

(b)   Experience in social media and/or production of podcasts

(c)   Experience working within the Caribbean on similar projects for the last 3 years;

(d)   Excellent research, communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and collaborate with diverse stakeholders;

(e)   Proficiency in English is essential. Proficiency in French or Dutch is an asset

REPORTING AND DELIVERABLES

The Consultant will report to the Project Coordinator and is required to produce:

(a)  monthly progress reports;

(b)  quarterly progress reports;

(c)   animated infographic and communication strategy;

(d)  a plan and content outline for a joint podcast series with CIMH/EarthMedic highlighting topics from the agenda; and

(e)  final report on internship activities.

INTERNSHIP ARRANGEMENTS AND DURATION

The remunerated contract internship will be for a duration not exceeding six (6) consecutive months. The candidate is expected to be stationed in Barbados for the duration of the internship unless otherwise agreed.