OB TITLE: Regional Communications Manager, West and Central Africa
TEAM/PROGRAMME: WCA ACCM
LOCATION: Dakar, Senegal
GRADE: 3
CONTRACT LENGTH: Open Ended
CHILD SAFEGUARDING:
Level 3: the post holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work country programs; or are visiting country programs; or because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.
ROLE PURPOSE
As a key member of the WCA regional team, you will take responsibility for developing and leading internal and external communication strategies for the Save the Children in WCA. You will provide oversight of regional communications to better profile Save the Children Program, Campaign efforts and Humanitarian response, such as building the communications capacity in country offices in West and Central Africa.
You will also be responsible to develop and effectively implement communications strategies for WCA; to manage communication opportunities and products in W&C Africa, with a focus on long-term development and humanitarian contexts; to coordinate communication needs and initiatives in the region with support to advocacy and campaigns in the region; to build the capacity of communication staff in country programs.
SCOPE OF ROLE:
Reports to: Regional Advocacy and Campaigns Director
Role Dimensions: this is a demanding, externally facing role that requires excellent communication skills to a wide range of audiences, an ability to maximise media opportunities, and an ability to build capacity and work in a networked structure across Save the Children.
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
Strategy Development and Implementation:
- To work with the regional office, country programs, Save the Children International (SCI) centre, members and technical advisors to develop and implement effective communication in both humanitarian and development contexts.
- To contribute to SCI strategic objectives in West and Central Africa and ensure compliance with SCI policies and procedures, including strengthening our collective approach to children’s rights in communications and child safeguarding. You will also be accountable to ensure the development and implementation of an effective strategy for the online presence of the country /regional office and support program to develop some communication tools on specific issues/program
- Work with Save the Children International (SCI) center to develop and implement an effective inclusion strategy encompassing knowledge sharing across West and Central Africa by organizing bi-lingual meetings, conferences, webinars, and the translation of documents and the onboarding of interpreters.
Communications Internal and External (with link to Media):
- To support countries’ offices to collect, develop and disseminate high-quality communication materials to a range of external and internal audiences;
- To support the development and delivery of communications materials in preparation for, during and after emergencies, including supporting response teams to receive, compile, and distribute relevant emergency response information in a timely manner; to set up and maintain effective communication information management systems in both humanitarian and development contexts;
- Ensuring internal communications the region bringing program stories are told convincingly and finding ways to increase brand visibility;
- To act as a source of regional program information that reinforces key corporate external messages, our brand positioning and image guidelines;
- To layout our internal communication material and coordinate regional media and program visits to make them visible from a communication point of view;
- To provide communications support to regional and country offices as required.
- Increase internal communications within Save the Children by producing a monthly West and Central Africa newsletter to disseminate across the entire Save the Children movement.
- Design and format key reports, policy briefs and other West and Central Africa-related documents as needed.
- Work with children to craft key messages to support our communication in West and Central Africa and ensure their wide dissemination across and outside Save the Children’ movement;
- Design and implement social media strategy, and campaign ideas, and garner support from country offices, Save the Children International centre, and other departments.
Capacity Building:
- To work with country programmes and regional technical advisors to develop and implement an effective capacity-building strategy including leading and developing specialized training workshops, coaching, mentoring and apprenticeships for advocacy, child-centred communication and working with the media and social media.
- Manage an intern, outline clear objectives and develop a workplan to achieve those deliverables.
Child Participation
- Work with country office colleagues to develop their capacity to support children
- Engage with external organizers to support strategic events for SCI child activists to participate
SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (SCI Values in Practice)
Accountability:
- holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
- holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary guidance and development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.
Ambition:
- sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages team members to do the same
- widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
- future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.
Collaboration:
- builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, members and external partners and supporters
- values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
- approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.
Creativity:
- develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
- resourceful and dynamic while undertaking the different tasks
- willing to take disciplined risks.
Integrity:
- honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity
QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree is desirable in communications, international relations, development, political science, law or relevant field. Bachelor’s degree is essential.
EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
- Experience managing a communications team, including: oversight of strategic development; development of quality written, photographic and video material; quality editing skills for internal and external audiences; strong understanding of marketing and branding and its role in communications; ability to maximise media opportunities and respond effectively to media inquiries
- Proven track-record of communications work and development of strategies, with experience to influence policy communications, and a strong understanding of the United Nations and multi-lateral systems.
- Experience working to build capacity in communications; demonstrated ability to deliver workshops, provide coaching and mentoring, and support the professional development of others
- Experience working in both humanitarian and development contexts, including some of Save the Children’s priority areas – children in humanitarian settings, child protection, child rights, education, health and nutrition, food security and livelihoods
- Demonstrated ability to think strategically, to analyse complex information and offer creative, practical and effective solutions
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills, and an ability to distil large amounts of information to a variety of audiences
- Strong experience of best use of social media
- A proven ability to build networks with diverse partners in pursuit of common goals
- Excellent influencing and negotiation skills, including an ability to deal with people at all levels with credibility, tact, and diplomacy
- An ability to work flexibly in a team, and to adjust work plan and priorities rapidly in response to external opportunities
- Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in a diverse, international environment, including experience of working in developing countries
- Ability to travel internationally
- Fluency in English and French is essential
- A commitment to the Save the Children Values
Equal Opportunities
The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.
Health and Safety
The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.
Additional job responsibilities
The job duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the Post holder may be required to carry out additional duties appropriate to their level of skills and experience.
More Information
- Job City Senegal
