Regional Communication and Constituency Officer at International Union for Conservation of Nature

THIS IS A LOCAL POSITION OPEN ONLY TO KENYAN NATIONALS OR PERSONS WITH VALID RESIDENCE PERMIT FOR KENYA.

Working closely with the Regional Director and the Programme team, the Regional Communications and Constituency Officer (RCCO) will take the lead in developing and managing the overall Programme Communications strategy for the IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (IUCN ESARO) to increase IUCN ESARO’s visibility in the region. She/he shall also act as Membership Focal Point (MFP) for Members and Commissions located in East and Southern Africa region under the guidance of the IUCN ESARO Regional Director. MFPs located in the different regions worldwide are the interface and liaison between IUCN Members, National and Regional Committees (NRCs) and IUCN Secretariat. The RCCO will also play a significant role in strengthening the linkages between the Secretariat, IUCN Members and Commission members in the development and delivery of the “One Programme” approach.

JOB DESCRIPTION

COMMUNICATIONS DUTIES

• Act as Communications Focal Point for the IUCN ESARO ensure all communications products, strategies and knowledge and management systems conform with IUCN standards and guidelines
• Develop, implement and monitor the IUCN ESARO Programme communications strategy.
• Working closely with the programme team,ensure that the IUCN ESARO website and other communication products are up to date, relevant to constituents, and reflect IUCN’s desired image and position
• Proactively develop and maintain positive relationships with targeted news media - delivering press materials to increase press coverage of IUCN ESARO and conservation issues of concern to IUCN; and ensuring regular contact with target media and appropriate response to media requests.
• Work with the Regional Programmes Coordinator to ensure strategic communications are integrated into all project concepts, proposals, budgets and work plans and is effectively implemented in the IUCN ESARO Programme.
• Working closely with the Publications Officer, produce high quality communications and knowledge products in a range of formats including reports, presentations, publications, brochures, policy briefs, web stories, press releases, short films, podcasts, etc and maintain IUCN Corporate identity and image in all communications products.
• Oversee the production of the quarterly IUCN ESARO CONNECT newsletter.
• Develop and manage web content and digital resources
• Contribute content to regional and global communications activities and products.
• Disseminate IUCN global communication to Members and/or NRCs and track all correspondence in the CRM;
• Encourage Members/NRCs to publish news and/or information from respective region on the Union Portal, as necessary;
• Publish relevant news from Members on regional page of IUCN website.
• Provide IUCN Members and National/Regional Committees all the necessary support to ensure that the Union Portal is widely and constantly used;
• Support in preparing communication on the announcement of new State Members for the IUCN website and Portal.
• Ensure that relevant regional information is communicated to the membership; Collect and disseminate stories from IUCN members, National/Regional Committees and Regional Offices highlighting constituency engagement using the One Programme approach;
• Disseminate and distribute Members achievements and success stories to the greater IUCN network.

CONSTITUENCY DUTIES

• Retention of Members
  
  • Lead the production of an annual report on regional activities developed with State Members to demonstrate the benefits of being an IUCN Member.
  • Promote enhanced integration of Members and Commissions into Programme development and delivery;
  • Work closely with the Membership Administrative Assistant to ensure information on Members’ resources and interests is up to date and members are included in the design and delivery of programmes and projects in IUCN ESARO;
  • Coordinate with Programme staff the identification of programmes and projects which can involve Members at the Global, Regional and National levels; Provide advice, support and assistance to Secretariat colleagues to ensure regular communications, information exchange, and to facilitate Members’ engagement in the IUCN Programme and governance of the Union;
  • Strengthen information sharing with Members to ensure that they are kept informed of IUCN and other Members’ activities and progress of conservation and ecosystem work at the global level, regional and national levels.
• Recruitment of Members
  
  • Support the expansion of IUCN membership by identifying and working closely with the membership
  • Working closely with the Membership Administrative Assistant, facilitate the admission of new Members and ensuring timely submission to IUCN HQ for Council’s approval.Link new Members to Programme staff for possible engagements with National/Regional Committees and in activities, programmes and projects.
• Membership dues
  
  • Support the Membership Administrative Assistant to ensure membership dues are cleared by all categories of Members, including State Members.
• National and Regional Committees
  
  • Act as the Secretariat official responsible for liaising, providing information and assistance to each National/Regional Committee (NRCs) in the ESARO region (and to potential ones also) for efficient functioning;
  • Support in the recognition process by IUCN Council of Committees;
  • Support in the establishment and operations of the NRCs,
  • Provide support to Union Development Group in the revision of the toolkit, application form and all related documents.
• IT systems
  
  • Manage IUCN membership-related systems (CRM, Union Portal, etc.) and support optimise use to best support existing and potential Members and National/Regional Committees (NRCs);
  • Encourage members to use Members' Portal
  • Ensure update information on Members’ expertise in the Union Portal;
  • Provide UDG/Information Systems with recommendations/feedback on CRM and Union Portal issues to help improve their user-friendliness and features.
• World Conservation Congress
  
  • Ensure all requests and issues raised pertaining to the World Conservation Congress are addressed;
  • Provide Members with all the necessary support and information related to Motions, draft Programme and Congress agenda and documents;
  • Support the implementation of relevant Resolutions and Recommendations approved by the Members Assembly;
  • Work in close collaboration with the Membership Coordinator or nominated staff on Sponsored Members programme for the Congress;
  • Ensure that regional Members are well represented at the Congress and related events;
  • Support in the Members’ Lounge development and preparations prior to and during the World Conservation Congress, as necessary.
• Other duties
  
  • Support the Governance Unit outreach to Regional Councillors;
  • Support in developing and implementing the IUCN membership strategy.
  • Prepare Members’ briefs as required by the Regional Director;
  • Support the Membership Coordinator in the preparation of documents for Council/Governance and Constituency Committee (GCC) pertaining IUCN ESARO, as necessary;
  • Perform any other related activity that may be assigned by the line manager.

REQUIREMENTS

• Master’s Degree in Communication, Public Relations, Social Sciences or related field.
• At least 5-7 years professional experience in designing and implementing communications activities and promotional materials and communicating information to a wide range of audiences;
• Experience working with international NGOs in the field of environment, conservation and sustainable development;
• Previous experience in a membership organization is an added advantage
• Demonstrates in-depth proficiency in writing or editing complex communications products;
• Knowledge and expertise in communication strategy and networking.
• Excellent communication skills both written and oral
• Excellent writing, proofreading and editing skills
• Proficiency with social media platforms including native Facebook, Twitter and YouTube required;
• Computer literacy in relation to office applications (word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint) and Proficient audio-visual skills
• Experience working in various media formats print, audio, video and websites;
• Good knowledge of, and experience in using, a membership CRM database
• Proficiency with social media platforms including native Facebook, Twitter and YouTube required;
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal is a must. Working knowledge of French or Portuguese is an added advantage.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to support building networks and partnerships;
• Must be a strong team player with proven diplomacy skills and ability to work effectively with multicultural and multidisciplinary teams displaying sensitivity and respect for diversity;
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure managing competing demands and complex situations and deliver satisfactory and timely results;
• Hands-on, highly motivated, results driven and resourceful individual
• Committed to continuous learning and proactive and mature attitude towards self-development;
• Willing to travel frequently within the region.