VACANCY: Communications Manager

VACANCY: Communications Manager

Position:  Communications Manager

Reporting to: RASA Chief Executive Officer

Terms of Engagement: Full Time

Duty Station: Southern Africa

Background to Resource Africa

Resource Africa’s focus has been on promoting Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) and its ability to meet the triple objectives of conservation, poverty alleviation and good governance. The primary strategy used was to ensure that the perspectives of marginalized rural communities were heard and influenced policy processes at national and international levels; as well as exposing the sound science bolstering sustainable use in the context of conservation as a development strategy.  Reflecting the changing global and African context, RA has over the years evolved its focus to explicitly support Southern African communities’ efforts to exercise their rights and secure resilient and sustainable livelihoods by promoting greater global, regional and national commitment and action towards policy, market and legal reforms that secure the rights of rural African communities to own, control and benefit from natural resources on which their livelihoods rely. Resource Africa’s goals are: to support African rural communities to exercise their agency to expand, secure and embed rights as natural resource rightsholders; and, to amplify community leaders inclusive of women and youth’s voices to influence enabling international, regional and national policy processes and practices that recognise and respect the rights of rural communities to sustainably use their natural resources. Further Information:  Please visit our website: www.resourceafrica.net

Purpose of the Role

To provide a high level, pro-active, efficient and comprehensive communications service to the Resource Africa overall brand and aims in particular to enhance the impact Resource Africa SA (RASA’s) work. This includes preparing and managing a three year communications plan and objectives, including a focus on social media and related platforms, materials, messages and relationships with key stakeholders, especially media.

THE GOAL OF THE POSITION IS:

To lead a dynamic communications team to conceptualize, develop and disseminate communication outputs and facilitate communication processes using a range of tools aimed at varied target audiences in the southern African countries which are represented by the Community Leaders’ Network and International – EU, UK, USA, and Canada, and to assist in developing and operationalising RA’s communications strategy to expand the global influence of rural communities and other key partners, consistent with RA’s overall strategy and mission. In this regard, the specific roles and responsibilities are:

SCOPE OF WORK

Broadly, the Communications Manager will lead the implementation of the RA communication, media and visibility strategy, building on the existing RA strategy and regularly reviewing and updating it to support and enhance Resource Africa’s advocacy efforts, including:

1. Implementing RA’s three-year communication, media and visibility strategy;
2. Overseeing and growing the continuous and targeted different forms of media presence for RA;
3. Media outreach, engagement and output;
4. Communication coordination and support for stakeholder groups.
5. Optimising communication, branding, reach and messaging on online platforms and integrate content on various information portals.
6. Integrate communications towards the amplification of advocacy, research and monitoring work.

Key responsibilities for this position include:

Media relations and Networking:

1. Build and maintain relations with both traditional media in southern African countries and international media, particularly UK, Europe, USA and Canada in strategic cooperation with Resource Africa UK;
2. To advise RA-SA on the elaboration and implementation of an overall RA Communication Strategy as well as tactics and event-specific communication strategies (for example CBD, UNEA, IUCN WCC);
3. Establish an online system for monitoring media coverage of issues of strategic interest to RA by English-language media outlets based in southern African countries and internationally; 
4. Analyse and synthesise community perspectives on natural resource management and develop short, succinct statements articulating their perspectives and priorities to support RA’s international advocacy activities;
5. Provide regular media monitoring reports to the RASA Chief Executive Officer, with recommendations for action (for example, opportunities for RA to contribute to international discourse through media, consultations and other public fora)
6. Uses media relations to strategically enhance Resource Africa’s communication objectives;
7. Planning and managing media conferences for RA, CLN, other consortium representatives;
8. Arranging interviews and appearances on TV and Radio for RA, CLN, and other consortium representatives;
9. Contribute as appropriate to outreach materials and communication products, website, contributions to the annual report, and additional communication materials to support RA’s networks and outreach activities including drafting press releases, op-ed, editorials and other information for the media on behalf of RA.
10. Grow and maintain a database of relevant media contacts
11. Participate in RA strategic planning activities, with a particular focus on developing reactive and proactive communications strategies to help deliver RA’s strategic objectives and operationalise these.

Staff & process management:

1. Co-ordinate and collaborate with RASA staff/consultants based in Africa, Europe and the US involved in advocacy and research work.
2. Manage the communications team of 1- 3 staff members and including research and Communications Assistant/Website Editor;
3. Plan and align communications’ deliverables with RASA’s operational plan;
4. Manage processes including production and distribution of publications, press releases, article and multi-media submissions to local, regional and international traditional media platforms such as newspapers, radio and TV.

Social media & website collaboration:

1. Design social media marketing campaigns and day-to-day activities and maintaining RASA’s reputation using both traditional and digital means;
2. Oversees the overall look and feel of the website in line with the organisation’s branding;
3. Review media monitoring to select media articles for profiling on the site;
4. Develop content for different distribution channels both print and digital (online) media including video, webinars and podcasts.
5. Regularly provide content ideas for digital team and provide editorial support in digital content creation;
6. Produce a Newsletter every quarter with quality, fresh and informative content.

Communications: oversee the communication strategy for assigned campaign(s):

1. Design and oversee that effective communication strategies are formulated and delivered;
2. Manage communication and output plans to be developed for specific projects and advocacy/awareness campaigns;
3. Create communications for a mix of relevant channels and medias;
4. Submit external communications for review by relevant project leaders, Policy Advisors and approval by RASA CEO prior to being published;
5. Provide guidance and training to consortium partners and other spokespersons for RASA on campaign messaging and public relations;
6. Share regular overviews of communication channels and media platforms with the RASA CEO and the communications team;
7. Ensure that communication material produced adheres to editorial policies and in line with the identity guidelines across all platforms;
8. Maintain and expand RASA’s current media database with the help of dedicated communications staff members;
9. Write and/or edit compelling, accurate copy for diverse audiences and formats (web, print, social media, PowerPoint, newsletters, technical publications and factsheets), working closely with other communications, M&E and research staff;
10. Plan and create content for the production of the annual report and other in-house publications;
11. Be the custodian of RASA’s corporate identity and all other branding and marketing opportunities.

Stakeholder engagement

1. Planning and managing events, meetings and presentations to engage with all stakeholders including RASA partners, experts, academics, and donors.

Requirements:

1. Honours Degree in Communications or similar (Journalism, Politics, English);
2. Active interest in and knowledge of Southern Africa’s current conservation and rights environment;
3. Familiarity with the animal protection versus human rights based approaches to conservation;
4. Previous relevant work experience in social, print communications and media;
5. Excellent relationships with journalists across all media and experience using social media as an effective tool;
6. Demonstrated experience of working in an environment with a variety of stakeholders;
7. Working knowledge of how to access television and radio and other media channels;
8. Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work independently;
9. Familiarity with Digital Marketing best practises;
10. Knowledge of or experience in working on social media platforms for non-profits;
11. Advanced MS Office skills especially PowerPoint;
12. A minimum 2-years’ experience in managing staff.

Preferred Education and Experience:

1. Degree in communications or similar (Journalism, Politics, English); a postgraduate degree is preferred;
2. Three or more years’ experience working independently;
3. Experience in managing media campaigns to promote a concept, idea or complex issue in traditional as well as social media;
4. Exposure to a wide array of technical skills: WordPress, SEO content best practices, social media marketing, graphic design, video production, photography, etc.;
5. Proficiency in languages including African languages;
6. Experience of working in a small organisation or advocacy NGO where flexibility and multi-tasking are essential;
7. Understanding of media landscape internationally and regionally;
8. Experience working in an international environment preferred;
9. Experience with campaign-based marketing and branding preferred;
10. Have an eye for detail and excellent managerial, coordination and organisational skills.

How to Apply

Applications must include:

1. A cover letter that indicates your motivation for applying for the position;
2. A detailed CV with three references; and

• One sample of your written work (for example, articles or research reports written by you (not jointly written or edited by other people)

Position immediately available.

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.