Lead Manager: Strategic Communications, Media Relations and Digital Campaigning

[Admin]

Country: Kenya

Organization: International Planned Parenthood Federation

Closing date: 30 Oct 2020

JOB PURPOSE

The post holder will be responsible for internal and external communications, digital campaigning and media relations for the development and implementation of a communications and advocacy strategy that supports the IPPF ARO Strategic Framework outcomes.

The post holder will ensure that IPPFAR responds effectively to new and innovative social and virtual media channels by supporting initiatives to engage a new generation of supporters and activists with the Federation.

As IPPFAR embarks to end of its Strategic Framework (2016-2022), effective and strategic communications is of paramount importance to propel and ensure that sexual and reproductive health and rights are reflected in the global development agenda (2030) and in the African Agenda 2063.

The incumbent will ensure that the positive and empowering opportunities IPPF brings to individuals and societies across the globe are communicated in ways that engage the general public, policy makers, the donor community and the media.

2. KEY TASKS

PERSON SPECIFICATION

a) To implement a communications and advocacy strategy (external and internal) and the IPPPFAR SBCC Strategy to support the new Strategic Framework (2016-2022) and the Secretariat Implementation Plan (2016-2019).
b) To manage the Communications team on a day to day basis ensuring that appropriate resources and capacities are in place to support media, social and virtual communication channels and to operate in a cost effective and budgeted manner;
c) To prioritise and scale up social media and digital communication that will involve campaigns to elevate the organisation’s profile (with a particular emphasis on the broader IPPFAR mandate);
d) To ensure visibility for IPPFAR and the work of the Federation through an effective media strategy and engagement with global and diverse media outlets;
e) Strengthen and link communications at global and national governments levels as well as linking the sub-office to the African Union communications effort with the RECs to popularise IPPFAR’s work at all levels;
f) To develop engaging and innovative communications to support the work of the Federation and the SRHR and Human rights movement;
g) To develop and ensure that communications standards and guidelines are in place across the Federation, including branding;
h) To design and monitor the implementation of communications campaigns, with a focus on digital campaigning in collaboration with Regional Offices, the regional director and the Programme teams.
i) To act as a public spokesperson, managing crisis communications and ensuring that statements reflect IPPFAR policy and standards;
j) To be the focal point for all IPPFAR External Communications;
k) To represent IPPFAR at meetings and events as appropriate;
l) To develop and manage IPPFAR internal communications strategy as well as ensuring its implementation and evaluation;
m) To develop communication opportunities and materials to support the Regional Director for internal and external audiences;
n) To prepare and manage media events where the regional director must attend;
o) To prepare speeches and press statements for the regional director in close collaboration with the Head of the office of the regional director and program teams;
p) To oversee the cost-effective production, quality and relevance of IPPFAR communication tools including publications, website and new media, forecasting and planning for communications needs as required;
q) To provide advice, support and tools to the Regional Office and MAs on communications and external affairs;
r) In collaboration with other Departments and Member Associations, s/he shall raise visibility of IPPFAR programmes and services in current and prospective donor countries;
s) To ensure gender is effectively mainstreamed within the remit of the post and in line with IPPFAR’s Gender Equality Policy;
t) To build and maintain positive relationships with all members of staff, and contacts, donors within and outside the Federation;
u) To become familiar with the Federation’s Health and Safety Programme and Guidelines for using Visual Display Units. To do everything possible to ensure a healthy and safe working environment, including following instructions and guidance; to communicate about the working environment internally;
v) To undertake any other reasonable duties as may be requested by the Head of Department.

1. COMPETENCIES

LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the work of IPPFARO in the field of Advocacy, communications, resource mobilisation, partnership building, SRHR and Human rights. Understanding intergovernmental bodies of the African Union and the United Nations. Experience in to developing communications and advocacy strategy and messaging for digital campaigning and media events; experience in of media relations and development of media support internationally; Experience in developing media support in Africa for difficult mandates including SRHR and Human rights; Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of IPPF mandate, particularly in the areas of advocacy, communications, public relations and partnership building. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Experience in managing team with different backgrounds and experience across several locations.

PLANNING & ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

JUDGEMENT/DECISION-MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

2. EDUCATION

• Postgraduate degree in journalism, communications, international relations or social sciences or equivalent standard of education.

3. WORK EXPERIENCE

• At least a minimum of 10 years’ experience in strategic communications, marketing, media and public relations;
• Very good technical knowledge for media contexts including a wide range of multimedia, social media, web and digital tools;
• Track record managing agency contracts;
• Excellent networking and negotiating skills. Ability to establish opportunities to work collaboratively with other NGOs;

4. LANGUAGES

English and French are the working languages of the ARO. For this post fluency in English and French (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of Portuguese is an advantage.

5. ASSESSMENT

• Evaluation of qualified candidates may include a desk review and/or an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

6. OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Experience working in a multicultural environment.
• Willing to work outside standard office hours as required.
• Willing to travel internationally – about 30 days a year.

How to apply:

For more details on the job description and on how to apply please visit https://www.ippfar.org/jobs

IPPF offers a wide range of benefits and is an equal opportunity employer.

Applications are particularly encouraged from women, people living with disabilities, people living with HIV and minorities.

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