Information & Communication Specialist – SAHEL Region

Location: Senegal, DK, SN

Company: Plan International

The Organisation

 Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it’s girls who are most affected.

Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.

We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

 The Opportunity

 Given the recent escalation of security concerns, the quickly deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger , the proximity, socio-cultural similarities, inter-relation of the situation in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger and the fact that we have been doing major development programs in the three countries for many decades now, Plan International has decided, in addition to the on-going response programs by each Country Office, to put in place a team charged with implementing a multi-country Sahel Program across Burkina Faso, Mali and the Diffa Region of Niger.

The present document describes the role of the Information and Communications Specialist who will be a core member of the Manager of the Sahel Response Program in Mali, Burkina, Niger.

The Information and Communications Specialist reports to the Sahel Emergency Response Program Manager.

The post holder is responsible for the Information and Communications components of the Sahel Program.  The position has no direct or indirect reports.

 Responsibilities:

 Produce high quality evidence-based communications materials and strategically disseminate them to support advocacy, campaigns, profiling and resource mobilisation

Develop implemented and evaluated effective media and publication initiatives in the Sahel in support of Plan’s global, regional and country campaigns and advocacy work.

Develop communications that effectively support resource mobilisation, media requests and advocacy for the Sahel Program Team.

Collect stories, data, photos and develop appealing communications on the situation in the Sahel and the humanitarian crisis and share with media teams in NOs, Global and Regional Hubs of Plan International

Support program and advocacy initiatives of Plan with technical coordination and advice to their communication plans to meet the required standards

Act as spokesperson on behalf of the organization and ensure that the members of the Sahel Program Team can and actively acts as spokespeople for technical areas on behalf of the organization

Develop information and communication strategies and plans to improve communication both internally and externally and to promote Plan International to key country audiences,

Facilitate the creation of a strong professional image of Plan International amongst external media to reach appropriate and varied audiences

Develop and manage strong relationships with national and international media, journalist networks as well as NGOs and government authorities in the area of communication

Set up and ensure that data bank and resource centre have updated information for storytelling and provide information for internal and external audiences. Ensure that proper documentation of Plan information is available at all times

Support the production of Plan’s corporate program and sponsorship reports /documents,

Contribute to sharing and learning about Plan Internationals ‘gender-transformative work through efficient use of internal and external communication channels and systems

Support measures to strengthen the capacity of staff to communicate using a variety of channels and for different audiences

Ensure gender mainstreaming in to communications and public relation activities and maintain gender sensitivity towards staff to avoid discrimination

Support country teams to facilitate media visits to ensure the objectives of such visits are well met,

Comply with Plan International’s Child and Youth Safeguarding Policy and protect children from all forms of abuse

Perform any other duties to be assigned to support the attained of organizational goals,

Ensures that communication and PR activities meet Plan International’s standards and standards for ethical journalism.

 For more information regarding the below, please click the below link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/kbw0jl0zk5c73xf/Information%20and%20Comms%20Specialist%20Sahel%20Role%20Profile.docx?dl=0 

Location: Based in Mali, Niger or Burkina Faso

Type of Role: 2 Year FTC

Reports to: Sahel Emergency Response Programme Manager

Salary: Competitive salary and package available

Closing Date: 7th November 2019

Approximate date of Interview: Week commencing 18th November

Please ensure applications are submitted in written English

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International’s Safeguarding Children and Young People policy.

As an international child centred community development organisation, Plan International is fully committed to promoting the realisation of children’s rights including their right to protection from violence and abuse. That means we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. We must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for. Our organisation is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

We will provide equality of opportunity and will not tolerate discrimination on any grounds. We foster an organisational culture that embraces and exemplifies our commitment to gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion while supporting staff to adopt good practice, positive attitudes and principles of gender equality and inclusion.