Ethiopia: Advocacy and Communications Manager

Advocacy and Communications Manager | ReliefWeb Skip to main content Labs Blog Mobile About Us Help Login / Register HomeUpdatesCountriesDisastersTopicsOrganizationsJobsTraining Print02 Jan 2015Advocacy and Communications ManagerJobfromAfrican Child Policy Forum—Closing date: 23 Jan 2015 Download PDF (274.62 KB)

The African Child Policy Forum (ACPF) is a leading, independent Pan-African Policy and Advocacy Centre on Child Rights, based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. ACPF was established with the conviction that putting children first on the public and political agenda and investing in their wellbeing are fundamental for bringing about lasting social and economic progress in Africa and its integration and participation in the world economy. ACPF’s work is rights-based, inspired by universal values and informed by global experiences and knowledge. ACPF aims to provide a platform for dialogue; contribute to improve knowledge of the problems facing children in Africa; identity policy options; and strengthen the capacity of NGOs and governments to develop and implement effective pro-child policies and programmes.

ACPF carries out and commissions a large volume of studies, surveys and publications on child rights and wellbeing and works closely with a large number of child rights organisations in Africa. It engages with African policy and decision makers to address policy and legal issues and promote action. It also organises conferences, symposiums and various kinds of meetings for policy makers and child rights activists on topical issues and themes.

ACPF is looking for a dynamic professional to fill the position of Advocacy and Communications Manager.The Advocacy and Communications Manager is responsible for the development and implementation of ACPF’s Advocacy, Communications and Media Relations strategies and activities with the objective of promoting awareness, understanding and support for the realization of the rights of children in Africa and support for ACPF’s mission, priorities and programmes at international, continental, regional and national levels.

The Advocacy and Communications Manager directly reports to ACPF’s Executive Director and supervises the Advocacy and Communications Team. He/she is one of ACPF’s senior managers.

The successful candidate should meet the following basic requirements:

1.Key ResponsibilitiesManagementEnsure the effective management and supervision of the Advocacy and Communications Team; systematically build competencies, skills and expertise of the members of the team through positive supervision and performance management, coaching, mentoring, training, opportunities for networking, and involvement in professional groups;Manage, supervise, and evaluate the performance of all consultants and institutions contracted to support media, communications and advocacy activities;Contribute towards the development of the advocacy, communications and media relations capacities of ACPF’s staff through on-the-job learning, in-house training, and knowledge sharing activities;Lead, guide and ensure effective management of ACPF’s websites and Info-Hub;Coordinate and guide the organisation and management of key pan-African Initiatives including the Larissa Award, the International Policy Conference, Launch of the African Report on Child Wellbeing and engagement with the AfricaWide Movement for Children;Effectively manage advocacy, communications and media financial operations including the development and monitoring of budgets and ensuring the cost-effectiveness and financial viability;Ensure that members of the Advocacy and Communications Team are conversant and compliant with management and finance procedures for any grants under their responsibility and that they deliver and report on their respective grant deliverables in a timely, accurate, high quality and results based manner and in compliance with organisational policies, as well as donor agreements and requirements.AdvocacyWith reference to ACPF Strategic Programme of Work, develop and implement a comprehensive framework for advocacy and policy change efforts;Lead and guide the design of, and support the execution of, customized programme and project advocacy strategies and processes, based on demonstrated evidence, to directly and indirectly influence upstream decision making in support of actions recommended and guided by ACPF’s research, policy dialogue and consultations;Enhance the professional advocacy capacities of all levels of the organisation.CommunicationsLead the development, execution and monitoring of a results-based, organisation-wide Communications Strategy and associated workplans;Undertake assessment of trends, social and political change and public interest and factor these variables into an ongoing refinement of the Communications Strategy execution;Ensure optimum leverage and impact of communications activities on programme, research, policy dialogue and advocacy activities;Guide the development of ACPF Branding Standards; prepare and maintain Branding Toolkit and monitor brand compliance.Media RelationsDevelop, oversee the execution, and monitor a proactive media relations strategy and work plan that will facilitate positive media exposure for ACPF and monitor its image in the media;As ACPF’s focal point with the media, establish and maintain positive partnerships with key media outlets throughout Africa as well as at international level.Oversee the development and distribution of media materials (including press releases, reports, Q&As, and opinion pieces) in multiple and appropriate formats (print/broadcast/web) and monitor their use; ensuring their quality, consistency and appropriateness;Organise media events, including press conferences, interviews and help prepare/brief those who will be representing ACPF in such events.Networking, Partnerships and AlliancesDevelop and maintain a network of partners and alliances at continental, regional and national levels to advance the advocacy and communications objectives of ACPF;Document, review and refine processes for working collaboratively with partners on media, advocacy, and communications initiatives.Resource Mobilisation SupportAssist in the identification and tapping of external resources and capabilities in generating a solid base of support for advocacy and communications initiatives;Ensure, lead and technically guide the development of high quality funding proposals in support of advocacy and communications activities and technically support their negotiation;Ensure that all ACPF fund-raising activities are supported by effective communications materials;Monitoring and EvaluationEnsure the inclusion of ACPF’s Annual Workplan of a set of advocacy, communications, and media relations indicators which are adjusted as necessary;Conduct timely and accurate monitoring activities to ensure that advocacy, communications and media relations objectives are met, identifying areas for of improvement and ensuring they are adequately addressed; make recommendations on management issues and alternative approaches to improve performance;Support the evaluation of advocacy and monitoring activities2.Qualifications, Experience and Competencies:EducationAdvanced university degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, Media Studies or other related field.ExperienceMinimum ten years of progressively responsible and relevant professional experience working in the fields of communications, external relations, public affairs, public relations, social media or advocacy, preferably with NGOs and in Africa;Technical KnowledgeDevelopment, economic and political issues in Africa at continental, regional and national levels, particularly in regard to children and families;Methodology and practical application of communication management, communication research, planning and strategyProgramme, project and budget managementFundamentals of working in various media formats including photos, audio, video print, and web;Computer systems, including internet navigations, office applications and interactive digital media;Social media including uploading and developing materials for websites and intranet.CompetenciesCommitment to mission, vision, values and principles of ACPF;Demonstrated abilities in Human Relations, Networking, Persuading and Influencing.Ability to analyse information, evaluate options and think, plan, make decisions strategically;Prior experiences in leading, managing, motivating and developing a multi-disciplinary team;Excellent interpersonal skills;Strong communication (written and verbal) and presentation skills in English and French and ideally in one additional African language;Self-starter, able to work independently, and entrepreneurial; enjoys creating and implementing new initiatives;Ability to deliver high quality work under pressure and meet deadlines.Other activities:Performs other activities deemed necessary by the Executive Director and senior management.Salary and Benefits

As per the organisation’s salary scale and benefit schedule

Location

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

For further information, please check on our website: www.africanchildforum.org

How to apply:

Applicants should send their letter of application and resume on or before January 23, 2015 to jobs2015@africanchildforum.org. If you have not been contacted two weeks after the deadline, please consider your application is unsuccessful.

Job ID: #787126 Training categories: Information/CommunicationsManagement Country: Ethiopia City: Addis Ababa Organization: African Child Policy Forum Theme: Protection and Human Rights Job years of experience: 10+ years Job type: Job How to apply HomeUpdatesCountriesDisastersTopicsOrganizationsJobsTraining About Us Help ReliefWeb Informing humanitarians worldwide. A service provided by

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