Table 3 Recommended skillset for a disaster communications expert
Recommendations | N(percent) |
|---|---|
Professional skills | Â |
 Managerial skills: able to lead a communications team to coordinate a communications strategy | 18 (70%) |
 Effective writing and editing skills | 15 (58%) |
 Media relations experience | 12 (46%) |
 Analytical skills: able to synthesize large volumes of technical information into concise common language | 3 (12%) |
Technical skills | Â |
 Photography and videography: able to record and edit | 24 (92%) |
 Public health literacy | 12 (46%) |
 Computer proficiency | 6 (23%) |
 Working use of English and preferably the local language | 7 (27%) |
Interpersonal skills and helpful personality traits | Â |
 Team player: able to work on a team with people from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds | 14 (54%) |
 Diplomatic and respectful in complex socio-cultural-political contexts | 12 (46%) |
 Remains calm under stress | 10 (38%) |
 Willing to work in hardship conditions | 10 (38%) |
 Flexible | 8 (31%) |
 Proactive | 6 (23%) |
 Able to multi-task | 6 (23%) |
 Resourceful, able to improvise | 4 (15%) |
 Able to quickly assess a rapidly evolving situation and act quickly and decisively | 4 (15%) |