Regional Communications Manager at Interpeace

Purpose and General Overview

Communication is central to every organisation. When used effectively it supports the creation of a positive working environment, cement working relationships with internal and external stakeholders and sets the tone for the entire organisation. Good communication is more than a simple exchange of information and messages: it involves attitude and behaviour. The RCM is expected to own and lead the communication strategy, plans, flow and messages at the regional and country levels in close coordination with the GCT.

Therefore, the RCM will design, develop, implement and evaluate effective communications plans and actions to implement Interpeace’s Communications Strategy and support the programmes branding and messaging priorities, using the full range of modern communication tools, including social media and digital publishing.

The RCM will be instrumental in disseminating and socializing the global communications strategy and guidelines throughout his/her region. Through a deep understanding of the regional context and substantial sensitivities related to Interpeace programmatic engagement, the RCM ensures that institutional messages on all communication products and channels are conveyed adequately for optimal impact.

This position involves frequent travels throughout the region.

Responsibilities

• The Regional Communications Manager will directly supervise the country communications officers (if and when recruited) and complete performance assessments as their first line manager.
• The RCM will oversee, design, develop and or lead regional communications plans including communication material for campaigns, global appeals, reports, newsletters and website content of the country teams, including communication assessment and analysis, in close coordination with the Global Communications Team.
• The RCM will take the lead on the development of new communications activities aimed at expanding Interpeace’s digital reach and engagement in the region. The RCM will build on Interpeace’s visual identity to produce key resources, including regular reports, ensuring they have high impact, raise the Interpeace profile and build our reach.
• Develop and pre-test appropriate messages, tools and materials. This will include the development of: content and materials for different media/target audiences, infotainment scripts, TV/radio spots, illustrative leaflets, posters, and other materials. Subsequently, all messages, tools and materials will be pre-tested according to an agreed protocol in compliance with the overall communications strategy and country plans. The messages, tools and materials may need to be modified/ improved periodically based on review/ monitoring reports from the field and Geneva.

The responsibilities of the RCM will therefore include but not limited to;

Communications strategy

• Develop a sound understanding of the Interpeace’s global communication strategy; its vision, purpose and objectives.
• Facilitate the development of a communication plan for Interpeace’s country programmes to help achieve its objectives and in line with external stakeholders’ requirements (donors, national partners).
• Provide leadership and advice on strategic approaches to communicating programme activities of the country teams. Advice country teams on the effective use of tools of mass communication with an attempt to strive for convergence with other activities of country teams where appropriate, in the context of Interpeace’s strategic plan.
• Proactively manage external strategic communications for the region, in close collaboration and coordination with the GCT, and ensure that high quality, strategic communication plans are consistently implemented. This includes ensuring clarity, accuracy, relevance, and engaging narratives in all materials that the regional communications teams produce.
• Plan, develop, and implement effective communications actions to support the project(s) and initiative(s) branding and messaging priorities, using the full range of modern communication tools, including social media and digital publishing in compliance with the Interpeace strategic plan.

Content creation

• Ensures exchanges of information, experience, identifies new courses of action to ensure high quality support to improve Interpeace’s strategic communications.
• Oversee the regular development of content by country teams for newsletters, and prepare monthly alert messages to announce the monthly updating of the web site; edit and adapt file formats of photographs for web and social media use; adapt video and multimedia files to the required formats and upload to YouTube, when requested;
• Ensure compliance of all material to the standard style guide, ensuring high-quality and error-free outputs.

Events, media and public relations

• Provide support to the Country Offices and teams on media engagement. This includes the creation of a network with relevant national and international journalists and media.
• Liaise with national and regional media for press releases and events, establish media connections and aim to get maximum media attention for press releases, special events, press interviews either through broadcast or print media.
• Participates in meetings with authorities, donors, partners and project beneficiaries to capture and share lessons learned, stories, recommendations, etc.

Analysis and Monitoring and reporting

• Regularly track the web and social media statistics and prepare regional reports with the support of the Global Communications Manager and the GCT.
• Develops key performance indicators with the support of the Global Communications Manager to track the successful implementation of the country communication strategies.
• Provides leadership and oversight to several country teams to ensure compliance with set objectives through periodic meetings, individually and in groups.
• Monitors the overall planning and budget of the country communications plans, ensuring they are properly administered, and utilized. Prepares and submits timely progress/status reports for the Global Communications team.
• Effectively monitor and evaluate various communications tools and activities, to measure the impact on achieving the overall objective.

The RCM can be called upon to perform additional duties required for the effective running of the regional programme within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience. He/she will lead on all aspects of communications that relate to countries of coverage as assigned by Global Communications, and be flexible to work across other countries and regions, as needed, to ensure high performing country communications teams are in place.

Expected results

High quality, multi-purpose, impactful communications and media content produced; enhanced presence and visibility online of Interpeace regional presence and programmes; increased number of local and international media at profile-raising events; improved efficiency and the increased output of the regional Country programme and the Global Communications team.

Qualifications

Education/ Experience

• Master’s degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations; International Relations or in a related field.
• Eight years progressively responsible professional work experience in communication, print and broadcast media, or interactive digital media,
• Demonstrates an in-depth understanding of regional political and peacebuilding challenges, and complex country contexts and narratives,
• Has excellent working knowledge of digital media, including social media platforms and processes
• Effectively counsels /coaches team members, in their delivery of messages to a variety of constituents, even on challenging topics.
• Fluent in French and English – Evidence of excellent verbal and written communication skills in both French and English producing materials for a wide range of different audiences including donors, journalists and the ‘general public’ – Ability to digest complex information, quickly, and express this crisply and clearly
• Strong IT skills, including sound analytical knowledge of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Google+ and other social media best practices;
• Highly organized/structured and able to manage multiple projects and understand and adjust to changing priorities;
• Commitment to continuous learning. Keeps abreast of new developments in own profession,

actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; shows a willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve

Success factors

• Strong commitment to supporting regional peacebuilding initiatives and to the values and working principles of Interpeace
• Excellent social and inter-cultural skills, outstanding communication skills to a variety of stakeholders from different backgrounds
• Creative team player with a commitment to inclusiveness and consensus building personality with tact and a high adaptation capacity
• Excellent supervision and motivational theoretical and practical knowledge to ensure project completion, meet deadlines and achieve results.

Interpeace Competencies

• Collaboration and Weaving
• Communication
• Drive for results
• Adaptability and Continuous Learning
• Respect for Diversity