Plan International recrute 01 Emergency Information, Communications and Advocacy Manager

Emergency Information, Communications and Advocacy Manager

Location: Freetown, W, SL

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.

Plan International Sierra Leone is seeking to recruit top-notch professional to fulfil the position of Emergency Information, Communications and Advocacy Manager based at the Country Office-Freetown to deliver the tasks outlined below:

SUMMARY OF THE POSITION

The primary role of the Emergency Information, Communications and Advocacy Manager is to facilitate communication flow to ensure that Plan International Sierra Leone’s leadership team and key external stakeholders (including Plan International implementing partners and COVID-19 affected communities) receive the information they need. The holder of the position supports accountability to key stakeholders by communicating the humanitarian situation and Plan International Sierra Leone’s operations in a timely manner in a format that is adapted to the target audience.

DIMENSIONS OF ROLE

The post holder will report to the Country Director and is a member of Country Leadership Team. S/he directly supervises one staff. The incumbent will be responsible for producing and/or updating materials and disseminating information throughout Plan International e.g. situation reports, annual reports, programme strategy, fact sheets, briefing notes, etc. The post holder will monitor external information sources and high level reports, synthesize and share main points/outcomes, and will act as a reference/contact point for general information requests related to Plan International Sierra Leone’s program activities. In all activities, the post holder will use participatory training and coaching approaches with teams to progressively build capacity in the relevant skill areas.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

External Liaison and Communications

Conduct periodic assessments (including field visits) to determine current and anticipated priority information needs of key target groups (Plan International Sierra Leone decision-makers, media/communications, fundraising, implementing partners, COVID-19 affected communities, donors, government and UN agencies, etc.)

Support the communication and dissemination of research outputs from the programs, and provide editing support and identify formats and methodologies appropriate to effective sharing of findings.

Develop and maintain excellent relationships with GH Communications Officers, and with communication officers of other NGOs, etc.

Act as the main point of contact for media and respond to requests for information from journalists, NOs, and donors, including arranging interviews and field visits.

Act as spokesperson for the organization when appropriate and with approval of the Country Director.

Prepare, distribute and log press releases.

Conduct regular field visits to interview staff and beneficiaries, write human interest stories and take photos and video.

Build and maintain local media and information contacts, supporting journalists, researchers and others in awareness raising on Plan International Sierra Leone’s program activities.

Internal Liaison and Communications

Work with GH Communications Officers to be aware of which journalists are travelling to Sierra Leone

Disseminate a steady flow of information (updates, human interest stories, talking points and Q&As, blogs etc.) to the GH Communications Officers for internal and external dissemination as per the Global Hub’s Emergency Media Management Checklist.

Regularly provide high-resolution, good quality digital images on the emergency response and Plan International Sierra Leone’s work.

Provide video on the emergency response and Plan International Sierra Leone’s work.

Monitor print and social media for mentions of Plan International Sierra Leone and other topics of interest to the organization, and inform the Country Director, Taskforce and GH Communications Officers of anything important.

Identify and create talking points/Q&As for potential sensitive issues and inform the Country Director, Emergency Taskforce and GH Communications Officers.

Information and Data Collection and Coordination

Attend internal briefings, external meetings (e.g. cluster meetings), collect and (where appropriate) synthesize relevant documents, meet with Plan International Sierra Leone staff and undertake field visits as appropriate to remain up to date on the unfolding emergency situation and Plan International Sierra Leone’s response.

Produce and/or update materials and disseminate information throughout Plan International and externally. Such materials may include situation reports, annual reports, programme strategy, fact sheets, briefing notes and any others requested by NOs.

Act as a reference/contact point for NOs on general information requests related to the emergency situation and Plan International Sierra Leone’s response.

Attend external briefings and meetings with members of the COVID-19 Taskforce or delegate to collect information for Plan International Sierra Leone.

Through desk and field research identify, collate and store effectively, materials relevant to program activities and advocacy priorities.

Daily monitor news, trends, and events with potential humanitarian consequences and flag for attention when necessary to the senior management team

Monitor external information sources and high level reports (from other NGOs, UN agencies, Humanitarian Fora/Initiatives, etc.) and synthesize and share main points/outcomes with key staff in the CO, WACAH, GH, etc.

Contribute updated material for Plan International websites and other electronic information sharing forums.

Support the Country Office (CO) in acting as a reference/contact point for general information requests related to Plan International Sierra Leone’s program activities.

Link with CO knowledge management staff to better understand KM approaches.

Training

Provide relevant training to staff and partners in using information management systems, report drafting, etc.

Provide awareness raising and training to Plan International Sierra Leone staff on Plan International’s communications approaches and principles.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Internal:

Excellent working relationships will need to be built with the Country Director, Emergency Taskforce, GH Communications Officers, GH Media and Communications Team, Communications Specialist

External:

Journalists, photographers, media/communications officers from other NGOs, government, etc.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Education/Professional Background:

Essential

Qualification and Experience

At least first degree in Journalism, Mass Communications and Public Relations

Master’s degree in Journalism, Mass Communications and Public Relations (preferred)

Core Competencies

People Skills: Ability to work independently and as a team player who demonstrates leadership and is able to support and train local and international staff and also able to work with disaster affected communities in a sensitive and participatory manner.

Communication Skills: Well developed written and oral communication skills. Able to communicate clearly and sensitively with internal and external stakeholders as a representative of Plan International Sierra Leone. This includes effective negotiation and representation skills.

Integrity: Works with trustworthiness and integrity and has a clear commitment to Plan International Sierra Leone’s core values and humanitarian principles.

Resilience/Adaptability and flexibility: Ability to operate effectively under extreme circumstances including stress, high security risks and harsh living conditions. Works and lives with a flexible, adaptable and resilient manner.

Awareness and sensitivity of self and others: Demonstrates awareness and sensitivity to gender and diversity. Have experience and the ability to live and work in diverse cultural contexts in a culturally appropriate manner. Has a capacity to make accurate self-assessment particularly in high stress and high security contexts.

Work style: well planned and organized even within a fluid working environment and has a capacity for initiative and decision making with competent analytical and problem solving skills.

Knowledge and skills: knowledge of Plan International policies and procedures, Sphere and the Red Cross/ NGO Code of Conduct. Requires general finance, administration, information management and telecommunication skills and proficiency in information technology/ computer skills.

Technical Competencies

Prior experience travelling to, or working in, a developing country for Plan International Sierra Leone or another humanitarian agency in an emergency environment.

Fluent written and spoken English

Experience as a spokesperson

Experience working in journalism, communications, media, or PR; Plan International Sierra Leone -specific media work preferred

Strong understanding of print, radio, television and social media

Intermediate photography and/or filming skills

Additional technical skills are desirable, including proficiency in Adobe Photoshop or photo-editing software and movie-editing software such as Adobe Premier

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

The incumbent will be based in Freetown, Sierra Leone.  Field travel will be required to rural and remote locations up to 50% of time.

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITY

Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Child Protection (CPP) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

Ensure staff understand Plan International’s commitment to driving a feminist agenda within the organization, and the ambition for gender equality and gender transformative leadership is embedded in our value-based leadership framework.

 Plan International’s Values

APPLICATIONS:

Last date for submission of Application (CV and cover letter) is:21st May by 5:00 pm

To apply for this job, kindly click on « Apply » Your application should include:

A cover letter

A comprehensive CV including details of two referees, one of whom should be your current or most recent supervisor

Only short-listed candidates shall be contacted. References will be taken and background and anti-terrorism checks will be carried out in conformity with Plans Child Protection Policy. Plan follows an equal opportunity policy and actively encourages diversity welcoming applications from all especially women and people living with disability.

Location:                Country Officer

Type of Role:          Emergency Information, Communications and Advocacy Manager

Reports to:             Country Director

Grade:                    E

Closing Date:        21st May, 2020

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.