Expertise France recruits 01 Manager, Communications and Visibility

Expertise France recruits 01 Manager, Communications and Visibility

Project description

The Caribbean OCTs Resilience, Sustainable Energy and Marine Biodiversity Programme (ReSEMBiD) is financed under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) Caribbean OCT Regional Programme. The primary stakeholders are the 12 Caribbean OCTs:

• Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos Islands
• Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten
• Saint-Barthélemy

The Prime Minister of Sint Maarten has been designated Regional Authorising Officer (RAO) for the 11th EDF Caribbean Regional Programme, and as such represents the 12 Caribbean OCTs vis-à-vis the EU. The RAO liaises with national authorities and other stakeholders of the Caribbean OCTs and plays a key role in information-sharing and knowledge management. Various stakeholders can be identified in the individual OCTs: governmental representatives, NGOs, focal points for the regional programme and departmental staff dealing with resilience, climate change adaptation, disaster preparedness, energy and biodiversity, research and/or educational institutes, gender groups, private sector.

The Programme will be implemented throughout the twelve Caribbean OCTs, though specific locations of the activities will be determined as formulation and implementation begin. The project team will be based at Sint Maarten and will be supported by Expertise France Headquarters in Paris, France.

The overall objective of the Programme is to support the sustainable human development efforts of the Caribbean OCTs. Operational objectives will be formulated further to a consultation process with the Caribbean OCTs, and will be based on the three component pillars of the Programme as signified below.

• Sustainable Energy: To increase energy efficiency of infrastructures with high impact on energy consumption;
• Marine biodiversity: To improve protection and sustainable management of marine biodiversity in OCTs;
• Resilience: To increase the resilience of Caribbean OCTs to adapt to extreme and recurrent natural events (cross-cutting component).

Expertise France aims to contribute to the sustainable human development of Caribbean OCTs. Building resilience to the effects of climate change, striving towards a low-carbon economy and protecting marine biodiversity will contribute to sustainable socio-economic development in the Region, including gender equality.

Programme formulation, design and implementation will stress a participatory approach. From the outset, a deliberate effort will be made to include all appropriate stakeholders (immediate beneficiaries, civil society, government, the private sector, other development partners, donors.). Full active involvement of beneficiaries is also considered a key prerequisite to ensure change that is owned, internalised and sustainable, and will be a key indicator of the success of the Programme.

The aforementioned principles will be important considerations in the assessment of candidates’ suitability.

The Programme team is structured as follows:

• Based at St Maarten and serving the 12 OCTs:
  • Programme Director
  • Three Programme Managers
  • Programme Manager, Governance and Implementation Support
  • 1 to 3 Senior technical advisors
  • Manager, Communications and Visibility
  • Assistant, Communications and Visibility
  • Manager, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)
  • Manager, Finance and Administration
  • Assistant, Finance and Administration
  • Grant Officer
  • Specialised short-term consultants
• At Paris (EF Headquarters):
  • Director, Sustainable Development Department
  • Head, Sector Unit
  • Project Manager
  • Assistant Project Manager

Organisational Setting and Reporting

The post is based full time at the ReSEMBiD office at Sint Maarten and reports to the Director.  The incumbent functions very closely with the entire team, within a horizontal, collaborative, non-hierarchical environment focused on the OCTs and development impact.

Job description

The purpose of the role is to achieve an excellent level of understanding of the objectives of ReSEMBiD amongst key audiences, of how they support and advance the national human development objectives of every OCT and of the results achieved by the Programme.

Duties and responsibilities

Context and communities of interest

The Manager, Communications and Visibility (MCV) is the architect and implementer of an action that communicates nationally, regionally and, as appropriate, internationally, how the ReSEMBiD Programme supports the development agenda of the Caribbean OCTs. In so doing, the incumbent also ensures appropriate recognition of the role of the European Union in development cooperation.

The MCV is responsible for the design of a strategy and implements a workplan of communications and visibility that fosters recognition for the results, objectives and outcomes of the ReSEMBiD programme, in the context of the development challenges and opportunities of OCT societies, and their aspirations.

The MCV, in liaison with other national, regional and international development partners, through special initiatives and events, through the press and other media outlets, including web-based, raises the awareness of stakeholders and of key decision makers on the most salient issues of the development agenda of OCTs broadly and the contribution of the ReSEMBiD Programme therein in particular.

Within the team, the MCV is cognizant of the fact that the objective is to secure that the entire ReSEMBiD Programme team communicate proactively and effectively, and accordingly acts as internal capacity builder, trainer and energiser.

Accountabilities

1. Develop the internal and external strategy of communication of ReSEMBID
2. Develops a detailed, results-based implementation workplan that flows from the C&V Strategy. Implement the strategy validates and oversees expert support to design, and manages the implementation of a communications and visibility (C&V) strategy that is customised to national (OCT) and specific regional and international settings, ensuring optimal resonance in different, strategically targeted audiences.
3. Formulates key messages, adapting and aligning them to settings and audiences for optimal communication and impact. Responsible for audience mapping and targeting
4. Provides the Steering Committees of Governance (SSC and OSC) with critical advice and insight on these contexts, leading to a C&V plan of action that is anchored in ownership and is creative, pragmatic and results-orientated.
5. Oversees, in liaison with Expertise France and the European Union Delegation, the effective implementation of the C&V Strategy, including special events, press relations, visibility campaigns, results-showcasing, promotional materials and web-based design and content, including social media.
6. Creates a “receptive space” for ReSEMBiD, including for interviews and interventions by ReSEMBiD, Expertise France and EU leadership. Accessing key contacts, organises media coverage and media exposure, briefings, interviews.
7. Leverages networks of influencers and prominent figures, particularly from the Caribbean, to enlist their support as advocates and multipliers.
8. Prepares, or oversees preparation of, a diverse range of information communications products and tools in support of the Programme, including materials for print/electronic/voice/visual media
9. Proposes and/or edits, then pitches op-eds, letters-to-editor, and other written, digital and broadcast commentary.
10. Oversees design, creation and maintenance of ReSEMBiD website and extranet.
11. Develops and organises special events that act as compelling catalysers for leading issues in the development agenda of the Caribbean, highlighting their humanly universal and geographically global relevance. Leverages special events also as a platform to showcase the achievements of ReSEMBiD, with due recognition of the role of the EU. Draws from both issues of overarching international concern (e.g. climate change, energy sustainability, societal resilience and their role in development) with illustrative human-interest stories, as appropriate.
12. Works closely in unison with the ReSEMBiD team, including the MEAL Manager, to ensure fluid information flow on operational activities on the ground and communications opportunities, including success stories and media opportunities.
13. As the lead champion of the strategic role of communications in the Programme, and with the proactive support of the Director, deliberately fosters a team culture of and capacity for communication, aiming to develop a ready, extraverted “communication reflex”. Expands the awareness of ReSEMBiD team members to communication possibilities and opportunities within their own area of work.
14. Supports Director in speech writing, ensuring audience-tailored communication effectiveness
15. Anticipates and responds strategically and effectively to communications opportunities both positive and antagonistic, if any, related to the implementation of the ReSEMBiD programme.
16. Manages short-term consultants supporting the development of C&V tools, ensuring the production of timely and effective outputs.

Qualifications and skills

Competencies

• Demonstrated capacity for leading strategically focused communications campaigns, including the crafting and organisation of special events

• Politically astute and diplomatically competent communications expert who can comfortably and effectively manage a complex multi-stakeholder public-private environment

• Seasoned communicator who instils trust among primary stakeholders, raises meaningful awareness among others and inspires passion among team colleagues.

• A professional with an affinity and empathy for the moral imperatives of sustainable human development

Qualifications and skills

• Master´s degree in journalism, communications, public relations, social science or other field relevant to the assignment; extensive relevant practical experience may be accepted in lieu of postgraduate qualification

• Excellent ability to target different audiences and to tailor messaging accordingly

• Excellent knowledge of the Caribbean region

• Excellent knowledge of and entrée into the Caribbean media environment and media networks

• Articulate, with superb communication and relational skills

• Strong grasp of web-based media tools and techniques

• Excellent ability to speak and write English fluently and compellingly; French highly desirable and Dutch an asset.

Professional experience

Professional experience

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in the implementation of strategically focussed, results-based communications and visibility actions

• Experience communicating effectively the human face and tangible impact of development cooperation programmes a major asset

• Experience interfacing with public sector institutions, politicians and officials an asset

• Experience with communications and visibility in the context of EU-financed programmes desirable

• Experience in design and implementation of awareness campaigns, special event planning and organisation of major events of regional or international nature

Other information

• • Duty station: Sint Maarten, with duty travel in the region• Duration: one-year fixed-term contract, eligible for subsequent extensions until Programme completion (late 2023)• Remuneration: competitive with expatriation benefits, including rental subsidy

Documents to submit

Assessment method

• Candidates will undergo an interviewing process and will also be required to undertake a written test.

To apply

Please submit:

• Up-to-date CV

• Concise and to-the-point motivation letter (2-3 pages maximum) outlining:

– Relevance of demonstrated experience in relation to specific requirements

– Intended strategy/initial plan/specific steps to approach accountabilities

• The names of three professional references

• To: Mr Alain Chhuor (alain.chhuor@expertisefrance.fr)

• Incomplete submissions will not be considered

• We regret that owing to the volume of applications received, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.