Job Title:Communications Manager, Somalia Accountability Programme
Location: Nairobi (with frequent travel to Somalia and Somaliland)
Management responsibility: n/a
Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer, Somalia Accountability Programme
Key Relationships: Director of Programmes, Africa and MENA, Somalia/land Country Manager, Heads of Policy, Advocacy, Funding and Communications, Director of Operations, and IAAP Project Leads/Directors
Salary range: Competitive INGO Salary (This position is subject to project award and funding.)
BACKGROUND
DFID is currently seeking tenders for a Prime Contractor to manage the ‘Implementation and Analysis in Action of Accountability Programme’ (IAAAP) in Somalia. Implemented through a consortium, the IAAAP will lead extensive action research and in-country programming to directly address and provide a better evidence basis for interventions which can improve accountability. The IAAAP will consist of a design phase (start-up & inception) for nine months and an implementation phase of 46 months. The Communications Manager is a key role within the IAAAP, hosted within Saferworld.
Saferworld is an independent non-governmental organisation that works to prevent violent conflict and build safer lives. We work with civil society, governments and international organisations to encourage and support effective policies and practices through advocacy, research and policy development, and through supporting the actions of others. We have a strong thematic focus to our conflict prevention work prioritising: access to security and justice services; arms controls; aid and conflict; and governance and peacebuilding. We contribute to lasting change in specific countries and regions and internationally through a combination of research and policy development, advocacy and through supporting practical action at the local level in conflict-affected societies. We currently have country and regional programmes in Central and South Asia, the Caucasus, Eastern Europe, the Horn and Great Lakes regions of Africa and the Middle East and North Africa.
Key areas of responsibility:
1: Develop and implement a coherent and innovative communications strategy
2: Contribute to the production of a range of communications outputs
3: Support the capacity of IAAAP partners to communicate research Duties:
1:Develop and implement a coherent and innovative communications strategy
· Undertaking a communications assessment for the entire programme, including the capacity and needs of the IAAAP partners to collaborate and deliver communications components, and an assessment of appropriate approaches, tools and channels.
· Undertaking stakeholder analyses, in collaboration with research staff, to identify key audiences for research findings at different stages of research
· Assess the relevance of new ICT approaches such as crowd sourcing, data visualisation, apps etc to maximise communications impact; liaising with Project Lead M+E on data gathering and monitoring mechanisms.
· Liaising with stakeholders to provide feedback on the results of research and its impact on policies
· Coordinating the monitoring and evaluation of the communications strategy throughout the IAAAP.
2: Contribute to the production of a range of communications outputs that will be accessible to policy makers at national and international levels.
· Proactively working with research staff to produce communications products that are designed for the programmes’ different audiences.
· Proactively working with research staff to identify the most appropriate communication channels for different products (for example, through the media, television, radio, workshops, etc.).
· Proactively work with target audiences to find ways of meeting their needs. This might involve an assessment of the communications context in which the research is being targeted or demanded.
· Designing and maintaining the IAAAP’s web presence, monitoring its reach, and establishing online subscription mechanisms for interested parties where appropriate.
· Developing internal communication processes for the IAAAP.
· Identifying ways of engaging with those directly involved with or interested in the research (e.g. newsletters, blogs).
· Working with IAAAP partners to identify and develop case studies and news stories for the IAAAP itself but also for sharing with DFID.
· Developing a process to track and communicate case studies and news stories.
3: Support the capacity of IAAAP partners to communicate research findings to relevant audiences.
· Developing generic communications tools that can be used by communications focal people in IAAAP partner institutions.
· Identifying training needs for communication among partner institutions and appropriate means of addressing these, including, if appropriate, short training courses.
· Sharing good practice with RPC partners (and other RPC and DFID funded research programmes) in order to maximize the impact of communication activities.
· Supporting researchers to determine where the research has potential for use, and how to make it accessible to different types of research user.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
The successful candidate will need:
· At least 10 years’ experience in a senior communications position relating to international relations, development, peacebuilding or academia.
· Extensive experience of managing communications/research uptake on large-scale multi-strand research projects
· Excellent understanding of translating academic research into communications products and policy outputs
· Excellent understanding of governance and accountability issues in the context of Somalia and Somaliland
· Master’s degree, or higher in, journalism, communications, international relations, development studies, political science or a related field.
· Excellent skills in terms of networking, outreach and influence amongst the international community.
· Extensive experience using media and social media for social change.
· Experience in the use of new information and communication technologies such as crowd sourcing, data visualisation and mobile phone technology to promote accountability.
· Willingness and ability to travel regularly throughout Somalia, (security conditions permitting)
· Proven ability to manage and motivate staff at all levels, including experience of remote management of staff.
· Excellent written and spoken English. Knowledge of Somali desirable.
· High level communication skills, including experience of communicating effectively across cultures and with diverse audiences, both verbally and in writing
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Salary:Competitive INGO salary package
Contract length: The position is subject to project award and funding
How to apply:
To apply: Please email your CV and a letter detailing how you meet the selection criteria to Marie Aziz atrecruitment@saferworld.org.uk (please use heading: Ref: CMS)
Deadline for applications: 6th July 2014
