ROLE PURPOSE: The Communications Manager role is a key position to ensure that quality and timely internal and external facing communications materials are produced for internal audiences, media organisations, donors, government stakeholders and other partners and to ensure visibility of Save the Children's brand in Kenya. This position is required to improve the delivery of the communication functions in all of our programmes in Kenya, as well as to better position Save the Children's brand and acceptance in-country and towards key stakeholders.
In addition to strengthened collection, processing, interpretation and dissemination of media and communications materials at the strategic and operational level, this post-holder will also support the function of risk mitigation, in co-operation with senior management and advocacy colleagues. The Communications Manager will act as a key focal point for all media requests from members. When necessary, this post-holder may act as a Save the Children spokesperson.
The post holder will also be expected to build up the country's brand in-country, namely through national and regional media, and support programmes to carry out work on communications with beneficiaries and local stakeholders.
SCOPE OF ROLE:
Reports to: Head of Advocacy & Campaigns
Dimensions: Save the Children has been operational in Kenya since the 1950s, providing support to children through developmental and humanitarian relief programmes delivered both directly and through local partners. Current programming focuses on child protection, child rights governance, education, health, HIV/AIDS, livelihoods, nutrition and WASH. In 2012, as part of a global reorganization process, Save the Children combined the programmes of SC UK, SC Canada and SC Finland to create a single operation in Kenya. In Feb 2014, we completed a second transition, which saw us join forces with the British INGO, Merlin, and merge their health and nutrition programmes with our own. Save the Children now has an operational presence in Bungoma, Dadaab Refugee Camp, Garissa, Mandera, Turkana and Wajir and we work through partners in many other parts of the country. We employ nearly 300 staff and will have an operating annual budget in 2015 of approximately US$18-20 million.
This is a demanding role that requires excellent communication skills to a wide range of audiences, an ability to maximise media opportunities and an ability to build the capacity of staff and stakeholders in communications and media work. The postholder will need to liaise with multiple internal stakeholders at national and international levels in the networked structure of the Save the Children movement.
Staff directly reporting to this post: Social Media Intern
Key staff engaging directly with this post: Head of MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning); field-based MEAL Coordinators; ICT Coordinator; field-based Programme Managers and Area Programme Managers; Thematic Technical Specialists (Health, Nutrition, WASH, Education, Child Protection, Child Rights Governance, Child Poverty); Campaigns Manager; field-based Health & Nutrition Advocacy & Policy Coordinators
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
The postholder will have primary responsibility for ensuring that the Kenya programme achieves the global organisational Essential Standards for Communications and Media:
o Communications and media opportunities are identified and responded to in order to ensure that Save the Children is a credible source for the media, partners, donors, governments, communities, children and Save the Children staff.
o A Communications and Media Plan is in place and aligned to the:
a) principles in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (particularly our role in speaking out for and with children)
b) global internal communications plan and global media plan
c) Country Strategic Plan 2016-18
o Measures are in place to produce accurate, high quality, user-friendly, child-centred communications and media work.
o *Communications and media work are built into annual planning including proposal development and incorporate ways to allocate resources and build capacity (c**ase studies, leaflets, factsheets, promotion materials, press releases, media packs, social media, videos, photos, reports, summary reports, sitreps, news)*
Strategy Development and Implementation:
· Work with Programme Managers, Technical Specialists, the Senior Management Team (SMT), the regional office, members and Save the Children International (SCI) centre to develop and implement effective communication in both humanitarian and development contexts
· Contribute to Save the Children’s strategic objectives in Kenya and ensure compliance with Save the Children policies and procedures, including strengthening our collective approach to children’s rights in communications.
· Ensure the development and implementation of an effective strategy for online presence of the country office and support programme and technical staff to develop high quality communication tools on specific issues / programmes
· Lead on the development of Save the Children’s overall communications and media strategy to achieve a high level and quality of media coverage.
· Support Save the Children’s corporate objectives including the need to build brand, profile, funds and influence.
Communications Internal and External (with link to Media and Social Media):
· In collaboration with Thematic Specialists develop and disseminate quality communication materials to a range of external and internal audiences, including media kit, Save the Children Kenya backgrounder/brochure, thematic summaries, executive bios, Q&As and talking points to keep external stakeholders effectively informed and engaged
· Work with Technical Specialists to develop quality print publications and materials and video, online-based products for effective donor and public engagement by Save the Children both in-country and internationally
· Support the development and delivery of communications materials in preparation for, during and after emergencies, including supporting response teams to receive, compile, and distribute relevant emergency response information in a timely manner
· Set up and maintain effective communication information management systems in both humanitarian and development contexts
· Support on digital news generation and media-orientated social media activity, generating debate and commentary around Save the Children’s issues
· Set-up and maintain Save the Children news / policy Twitter feeds, including a media feed for press releases etc. to be read by journalists.
· Lead the development and dissemination of an internal Save the Children newsletter, to communicate programme achievements to staff within the county office, the region and the wider organisation.
· Mapping and targeting social media users / influential bloggers / online commentators /journalists specialising in our policy areas (e.g. Maternal & Newborn Health, Child Protection Systems, Investment in Children etc.) to further the news reach of policy/advocacy and emergencies.
· Adapt news lines and work with programme and technical staff to produce media-worthy materials that are suitable for digital and social media (case studies, blogs, footage, photography etc.).
· Monitor digital conversations / trends and spot news opportunities / ways Save the Children can influence the discussions.
· Develop a photo bank of Save the Children Kenya programmes in all sectors and locations, ensuring adequate quality of photo products for use in advocacy and media work and for quality reporting purposes.
· Emergencies: targeting relevant journalists during an emergency and supporting the online teams across the organization on emergency social media coverage.
· Support and lead in managing online media outreach and viral campaigns to promote key messages that increase awareness and/or drive traffic to Save the Children
· Keep abreast of current technology trends and innovations in digital sector, social media organisations etc. and keep the team up to date with new opportunities.
· Build news partnerships with social media, organisations and digital journalists to keep our work and issues in the news.
· Develop a sound grasp of designated issues, influence related work plans so that opportunities for digital media coverage are created, and ensure that information given to journalists is accurate and in line with Save the Children’s policy.
· Input key external and political events into media unit co-ordination and planning and plan media activity based on these
· Take the lead on and support the launch of national and global campaigns/ media moments
· Assist in collecting testimonies and case studies from the field as required
· Translate /transcribe interviews and video
· Act as the focal point accompanying press/media teams to the field, supporting in identifying cases and instant translation at times.
· Carry out the responsibilities of the role in a way that reflects Save the Children's commitment to safeguarding children in accordance with the Child Safeguarding Policy.
Capacity Building:
· Work with the Head of Advocacy, Campaigns Manager and Technical Specialists to develop and implement an effective capacity-building strategy including leading and developing specialized training workshops, coaching, mentoring and apprenticeships for advocacy, child-centred communication and working with the media and social media.
· Provide communications support and direction to the senior managers across departments.
Performance Management
· Lead, manage and motivate interns and any other direct reports, ensure they have clear objectives and receive meaningful feedback on their performance regularly (in line with Save the Children performance management procedures).
· Create and maintain a cooperative and positive working environment where staff have clear roles and responsibilities, participate in decision making and are supported in progressing towards their objectives.
· Lead on capacity building of staff through coaching, mentoring and training.
· Perform such other tasks and responsibilities as may be required from time to time in order to ensure the smooth running of the team, cross departmental teams, the department and Save the Children and deputise at some point if required.
SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice)
Accountability:
· Holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
· Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved
Ambition:
· Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same
· Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
· Future orientated, thinks strategically
Collaboration:
· Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, members and external partners and supporters
· Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
· Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to
Creativity:
· Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
· Willing to take disciplined risks
Integrity:
· Honest, encourages openness and transparency
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
- At least five years' relevant experience in a credible media organisation OR equivalent experience in Communications and/or Media in an international humanitarian or development agency
- University degree in a relevant subject or equivalent field experience
- Experience of leading communications and media activities in a challenging environment and a good knowledge of the Kenyan media scene, networks, and media contacts etc.
- Fluent in at least English and Kiswahili
- Evidence of excellent verbal and written communication skills producing high quality English-language materials for a wide range of different audiences, including Save the Children staff, donors, journalists and the 'general public'
- Excellent writing skills, and the ability to produce compelling media products in English, such as press releases, case studies, key messages, speaking points and Q&As
- The ability to digest complex information, quickly, and express this crisply and clearly
- Excellent relationship building skills in order to work for limited periods within programmes under pressure of running emergency responses
- An initiative-taking, proactive, inspiring attitude with the ability to manage and prioritise an unpredictable workload and solve problems quickly with limited support
- Experience of delivering training, presentations and other capacity building activities to varied audiences, ideally within a country programme.
- Excellent IT skills, especially in Microsoft Word
- Excellent understanding of communications, media and campaigning activities
- Strong influencing skills
- Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy
- The capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances
- Commitment to the aims and principles of Save the Children. In particular, a good understanding of the Save the Children mandate and child focus, and an ability to ensure this continues to underpin our support
HOW TO APPLY:
If you wish to express interest for the above positions please visit SCI Kenya Website:https://kenya.savethechildren.net/jobs. Upload your detailed CV & Cover letter as One (1) document; including current contacts of three referees and immediate supervisor details. Deadline for this position is 18th December 2015.
Quote the job title on the subject line.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Save the children recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to equal employment opportunities and the protection of children from abuse.
