Communications and Advocacy Specialist

Communications and Advocacy Specialist

A local NGO in the governance sector seeks to recruit a Communications and Advocacy Specialist. Under the overall guidance of the Executive Director, the Communications and Advocacy Specialist will be responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Lead the development and implementation of communication and outreach/advocacy strategies

• Lead the development and implementation of the organisational communication strategy;
• Design, develop, and implement the communication strategy of the organisation and lead outreach/advocacy strategies; including media strategies;
• Monitor and analyze print and social media and prepare reports;
• Facilitate training and workshops on communication and advocacy as appropriate;

2. Manage media and partner relations

• Identify and develop new communication partnerships and alliances to enhance visibility; manage and nurture existing partnerships;
• Lead relationship building with media; maintain and update database of relevant media;
• Liaise with advocacy partners and undertake outreach to civil society, governments, development partners, and other groups to ensure that newsworthy information reaches the public and funding partners;
• Guide and collaborate closely with other staff to ensure consistency with corporate policies, messaging, and initiatives;
• Respond timely and clearly to media inquiries and a variety of inquiries and information requests; prepare related correspondence; identify topics, background information, news-related development, and coverage of interest;
• Organize roundtable discussions, press conferences, and briefings with media;

3. Oversee the online presence of the organisation

• Oversee and maintain the websites, including developing design and content;
• Coordinate web-presence in the line with corporate web policy;
• Oversee and manage social media accounts in line with corporate social media policy.

4. Lead the development and dissemination of the organisation’s visibility

• Develop and produce communication and advocacy instruments and materials, including policy briefs, position papers, press releases, annual reports, and articles and coordinate their dissemination through effective channels;
• Identify advocacy opportunities, activities, approaches, and platforms and facilitate partnerships;
• Lead the engagement and supervision of video producers to produce audio/ visual material on the organisation’s work;
• Develop brochures, factsheets, and stories from the field to inform media and the general public at local and national levels;

Functional Competencies

1. Ability to communicate sensitively, effectively, and creatively across different constituencies
2. Strong knowledge of managing web-based knowledge management systems
3. Strong understanding of production, graphic design, and photography standards
4. Strong knowledge of social media platforms and experience in social media outreach
5. Strong oral and written communication and editing skills.
6. Strong communication, networking, and advocacy skills
7. Ability to provide advice and be strategic and analytical.
8. Good knowledge of the local country media landscape.
9. Knowledge of gender and human rights issues is desirable.

Required Skills and Experience

Educational Qualifications

• A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in communications, public relations, journalism, or a relevant field is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience

• At least 5 years of professional work experience at national or international level in public relations, communications, or advocacy, including in media relations.
• Experience in the use of social media.
• Experience in media relations is an asset.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of the local languages is an asset.

TO APPLY

Interested candidates who meet the above requirements should submit their CVs with a motivational letter on or before Tuesday, 16th April 2024 to comms240@gmail.com