Communications and Stakeholder Manager 158 views1 applications

Shine Literacy is a nonprofit organisation that seeks to create a culture of reading in South African schools, homes, workplaces and communities, thereby improving literacy outcomes for young children from low-income communities.

Shine Literacy seeks to appoint a Communications and Stakeholder Manager, to be based in Cape Town

Responsibilities:

Strategy and Planning:

• Participate in the development of Shine Literacy’s strategy, working collaboratively with the Executive Director, Board and Senior Management team
• Develop Shine Literacy’s external communications strategy in collaboration with the Management Team and Board, and review it annually in alignment with Shine Literacy’s overall strategy
• Develop Shine Literacy’s external marketing/fundraising and branding strategies in order to enhance revenue from and partnerships with major funders, including government, the private sector and civil society
• Develop and drive Shine Literacy’s marketing/fundraising plans in alignment with strategy, ensuring together with the Board and Executive Director, Shine Literacy’s future sustainability
• Revisit Shine Literacy’s internal communications strategy in collaboration with the team, ensuring alignment between internal and external strategies and branding
• Develop and drive the implementation of an annual external communications plan and calendar in collaboration with the Director, identifying external opportunities and events together with internal events
• Ensure alignment between the internal and external communications plans and calendars

Public Relations:

• Work with the Executive Director and alongside industry peers, developing and driving a thought leadership agenda, setting the tone for a vibrant platform requiring action with the goal of being part of a national voice regarding the importance of reading
• Identify and manage events which Shine Literacy can either host or participate in, which will support the building of the organisation’s profile, future partnerships and/or streams of revenue
• Represent Shine Literacy at conferences and networking events, working to build the organisation’s profile, and ensuring it is well-positioned and framed within ever-changing external contexts and priorities
• Maintain Shine Literacy’s media list, ensuring that media contact details are current and new contacts are immediately added and shared
• Generate publicity around Shine Literacy’s initiatives and events on a national level by creating newsworthy angles which will appeal to various media, in order to increase awareness about the organisation and our work
• Draft, refine and issue press releases around Shine Literacy’s initiatives and events and manage the distribution and media engagement to generate publicity. Where opportunities present, invite and host media at Shine Literacy’s projects
• Fulfil press/media liaison role, coordinating media interviews with Shine Literacy spokespersons, ensuring that the person being interviewed is fully briefed and prepared and that the journalist receives all requested information and images and understands any limitations or conditions
• Coordinate all external public awareness and marketing events, ensuring that appropriate and sufficient exposure is secured relative to the investment of staff time and resources
• Undertake the development of material for Shine Literacy’s external and stakeholder communications

Fundraising:

• Set targets and strategy to market and present Shine Literacy’s programmes and impact to corporates, foundations and key groups of people
• Have a strong networking focus and establish relationships to accomplish fundraising targets
• Develop an action plan around how to manage gaps in funding, donations and funders
• Build and develop a pipeline of prospective funders and sponsorships
• Ensure fundraising strategy targets are met and existing donors are retained
• Maintain a database of new and existing funders, foundations, stakeholders and relevant organisations in the same field as Shine Literacy
• Manage reporting deadlines and stakeholder visits
• Identify threats in this area and drive appropriate action

Stakeholder Communications and Relationship Management:

• Deliver and manage all external stakeholder communication
• Manage and implement internal and stakeholder communication plans, ensuring alignment with the communications strategy
• Develop grant documents, ensuring that they are presented in a professional manner and are well-written
• Cultivate strong relationships with key stakeholders and – where necessary – generate media coverage/exposure of donations received

Operational:

• Develop and motivate for the relevant budgets
• Manage the budgets
• Develop, implement and maintain necessary sustainable and transparent administrative systems
• Manage and support any consultants or team members who are assisting this position

Requirements:

• National Diploma and/or Degree in Public Relations/Communications/Marketing or related field
• Minimum of five to eight years’ experience in the Public Relations/Communications field or related sector
• Supervisory experience would be an advantage
• Creative writing skills
• Ability to initiate action, maintain focus and have a strong sales ability
• Verbal communication skills and ability to work well with people and build harmonious relationships
• Strong planning and organisation skills with a natural attention to detail
• Strong computer/digital skills Microsoft Word (Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Ability to work comfortably in the digital space (i.e. web, social media)
• A general understanding of traditional (print/broadcast) as well as modern (online) media/communications channels
• Journalism skills, writing and investigation
• Ability to work independently as well as being a supportive, collaborative team player
• Ability to work under pressure and to multiple deadlines
• Tenacious
• Outgoing with an ability to engage easily with new people and to network, internally and externally
• Knowledge of the media industry/market
• Willingness to travel nationally on occasion
• Code 08 Driver’s License

Desirable:

• Experience in the nonprofit sector and/or fundraising experience
• An understanding of and experience working in the South African media landscape
• A good eye for aesthetics and an aptitude for photography
• Experience with events management
• Ability to speak Xhosa or Zulu and understand Afrikaans

To apply, submit motivational letter and your CV to [email protected]

Shine Literacy is an equal opportunity employer. Preference may be given to a candidate whose appointment would ensure that our organisation is more representative of the communities in which we work.

The job description is not incorporated into the employment contract. It is intended as a guide and should not be viewed as an inflexible specification as it may be varied from time to time in light of strategic developments, following discussion with the post holder – provided these are in line with your status and experience. The post holder will be expected to work according to their annual work plan, which should facilitate achievements of key responsibilities in accordance with the performance review