Media and Communication Manager at Alight

• Based in Nairobi, with frequent travel to Port Sudan, the Media and Communication Manager will undertake, coordinate, and manage the design and implementation of Alight media, internal and external communications activities, including but not limited to managing social media platforms, producing internal and external newsletters, coordinate the production and collection of content including photos and videos, produce presentations and other visibility materials. The post-holder will manage Alight’s media work in Sudan, harnessing the power of national and international media to help us achieve our advocacy, branding, programmatic and fundraising goals. Equally important will be raising awareness of humanitarian crises affecting people in Sudan. The post holder also leads the design and implementation of Media and Communications Strategy, with a special focus on enhancing the quality and frequency of internal and external communication products and media engagement. Media and Communication Manager will be a member of the country program unit.

MAJOR AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY
Primary Duties/Responsibilities
GENERAL
Strategy and Vision

• Contribute the organization goals, values, and mission.
• Advice on operations strategies, policies and plans affecting operations, program deliverables and staffing.
• Foster a supportive and service-oriented, collaborative team culture.

Provide program Strengthen internal and external communications capacity - 50%

• Manage information and communication flows between field and Country Office and a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure that the branding and communication guidelines are uniformly and consistently followed across Country Program
• Plan, coordinate and manage strategic communications to increase engagement, visibility, and voice for Alight Sudan’s programs.
• Manage the production of high-quality communication products (including but not limited to infographics, factsheets, e-newsletter, human stories, brochures, briefing papers, white papers, etc.) and its consistent circulation to internal staff.
• Lead and manage the development of internal communication platforms and ensure its compliance with branding guidelines.
• Establish and manage a systematic communication product resource center at the Country Office
• Regularly update platform; produce project and program specific factsheets, info packs, flyers, and posters.
• Collaborate with the global communications team to manage and regularly update Alight’s corporate website with high quality design & contents.
• Strengthening the way, we communicate about advocacy and campaign through producing series of campaign presentations and other supporting innovative communication materials to be circulated internally and externally.
• Regularly produce stories in coordination with field technical team to support fundraising efforts.
• Provide communications capacity building training to staff and partners.
• Ensure that Alight Sudan events, key national, regional, and global events are communicated well.
• Ensure that Alight Sudan communication and visibility products are up to the expected standards.al
• Establish and manage ALIGHT Sudan content bank.
• Manage the quality and efficiency of ALIGHT Sudan Social Media Channels and Workplace
• Ensure that respect, dignity, and Safeguarding procedures are strictly followed when our beneficiaries are involved in ALIGHT media, internal and external communications activities.

Strengthen Media Engagement, Organizational Visibility and Brand - 40%

• Develop and implement a media and communications strategy aligned to Alight’s programming priorities.
• Work closely with Senior management team (SMT), technical coordinators and advisor to develop key messages and promote programmatic goals in the media.
• Draft newsworthy media releases aligned to advocacy, campaigns, and humanitarian priorities.
• Develop core materials including Q&A, key messages, case studies, blogs, and talking points.
• Build and maintain relationships with key national and international journalists and media outlets.
• Arrange media briefings.
• Coach and brief colleagues ahead of media interviews and build the communications capacity of staff in the Country Office and the field for effective media engagement.
• Undertake effective media monitoring for the Country Office and maintain an up-to-date media database.
• Use new and traditional media tools and track trends to leverage news opportunities and advocacy, including social media, and train colleagues on these as needed.
• Facilitate national and international media visits showcasing issues relevant to advocacy, campaigns, and humanitarian priorities.
• Assist in the preparation of crisis communications plans, including risk mitigation strategies around sensitive issues affecting internally displaced people (IDPs), refugees and persons with protection concerns, and recognize red lines for messaging.
• Ensure proper sign-off of all media materials by the Country Director and Country Program manager where appropriate.

Representation and Coordination - 10%

• Maintain close relations with advocacy, media, and communication focal points for relevant actors (donors, bilateral and multilateral coordination bodies, research organizations and academics, and relevant government institutions) in Sudan.
• Liaise with donors, local authorities, government ministries, including ministries of health at the federal and state levels, UN, and international and national NGOs.

Education, Technical Skills & Knowledge Required

• Master of Arts (MA) Degree in Media, Mass Communication or Print Journalism from a recognized higher educational institution.
• Minimum of 5 years media and communication work in humanitarian work (INGO) environment and at least 2 years’ experience in Sudan
• Commitment to Alight values and approach
• Interest in Refugee, IDPs, public policy, research, and development issues
• Proficient computer skills required, especially the ability to work comfortably in Adobe Photoshop, Publisher, PPT, and expert in other communications and MS office package, layout and design software, applications.
• Ability to work with people of different cultures.
• Experience with written, audio, and visual storytelling and the mediums used in each (photography, videography, etc.)
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work successfully in team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to assess priorities and handle multiple tasks simultaneously to meet deadlines with attention to detail and quality.
• Excellent organizational, communication, publications, and presentation skills
• Ability to work and manage various projects with limited supervision.
• Ability to work well with people at all levels.
• Strong initiative and self-motivation required, with a commitment to teamwork and effectiveness within a dynamic integrated project.
• Ability and willingness to travel to project areas when required.
• Fluency in written, spoken, and reading Arabic & English.
• Demonstrated expert level ability in policy research, writing and communication skills

Key Behaviors & Abilities

• Highly motivated self-starter who takes direction well, but also works independently and shows initiative and creativity.
• Deadline-driven with an ability to produce high-quality communications.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment with competing deadlines, effectively managing multiple priorities.
• Extremely flexible with the ability to cope with stressful, fluid, and ambiguous situations.
• Ability to adapt well in competitive, dynamic, multicultural and security sensitive contexts with basic living conditions.
• Exceptional relationship management skills and an ability to seamlessly work with all levels of the organization, government actors, and donor community.
• Energy, enthusiasm, and intellectual curiosity to pursue stories that elevate an understanding of Alight’s work in Sudan.
• Sense of humor and an ability to spark joy and unleash abundance through creative and compelling storytelling.
• Cultural sensitivity essential.