TITLE: Communications Manager(National)
TEAM/PROGRAMME: AMC
LOCATION: Damascus
CHILD SAFEGUARDING:
Level 3:
ROLE PURPOSE:
With support from the Head of Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns, the Communications Manager will deliver vital communication products that enable excellent communications, media and fundraising activities for the organization. The Communications Manager will prepare outputs such as case studies, blogs and key messages; help to build a media profile and gather powerful communications content, ensuring that Save the Children is able to provide compelling products about the situation for children in Syria and our work. S/he will lead on and manage the communications (both internal and external) work for the SRO and its operational workflow process, to ensure that all different areas and programmes are on track for the delivery of all required communications materials. S/he should be a dynamic team player who takes initiative to propose and follow through on new ideas, to raise the visibility of the organisation, celebrate success, promote campaigns and advocacy partnerships and develop innovative ways to communicate to target audiences. S/he will support the production and quality control of communications material including case studies, videos, photos and graphics, produce fundraising materials and to communicate the situation for children to public supporters.
SCOPE OF ROLE:
Reports to: Head of PAC
No of direct reports: Two Communications Officers
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY :
Communications and Media Support
- Produce accurate, clear and consistent communication outputs relating to the situation in Syria and Save the Children’s response – including case studies, key messages, Q&A’s, comms packs and factsheets.
- Maintain overall accountability for communications work, internal and external, support the Info and Communications Officers and the team to effectively implement the communications strategy and deliver high quality communications products for digital and traditional media.
- Collaborate with advocacy and policy colleagues to ensure core messaging is consistent with advocacy and policy strategies within the response and opportunities are explored to promote these strategies
- Produce photos to a high standard, to accompany compelling case studies
- Spokesperson for local and international media as relevant
- Facilitate media activities such as requests for quotes or interviews (ensuring spokespeople are adequately briefed) or journalists visits to programmes. Identify opportunities within our response activities or the external environment for media activities.
- Build the capacity of partner organizations through delivering training of communications or programme on communication skills, mentoring communications staff and recruiting/inducting new resources in-country as required.
- Identify learning and training opportunities for Save the Children staff and partners and work as a mentor and role model for less experienced staff
- Edit photos and stories as appropriate and needed.
- Ensure correct protocols and processes are adhered to for sign off, following specific guidelines, on all Syria crisis materials for external use.
- Ensure that the branding and communication guidelines of Save the Children are uniformly and consistently followed across the SRO.
- With support from the comms officers, develop and maintain the SRO digital assets database, including photos, videos and case studies, in line with the Save the Children Content Hub standards.
Internal communications and information-sharing
- Provide a system of regular information dissemination, support production of information documents and publications for the Syria Response program and internal stakeholders
- Oversee ability to scale up the delivery of robust communications material during emergencies per the agreed protocols and requests from other Members and Save the Children International
- Build capacity and provide training for programme staff on communications skills and policies.
- Develop and deliver a clear and effective system for internal communications.
Strategic input to Country Programme
- Lead on the development of an SRO Communications strategy in liaison with Head of PAC, programmes team and area office within both the emergency and development contexts.
- Lead on relationship with area offices communication staff and relationship with partner communication staff including capacity building, training and quality control of communications products as necessary.
Building and maintaining effective relationships
- Develop and maintain good internal relationships with the Area offices, GCCU, GMU and SCI members.
- Develop and maintain good external relationships with our partners, the media and government entities as needed.
- Work with SC members and Country Office staff to ensure appropriate resourcing and timely delivery of agreed deliverables.
BEHAVIOURS (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 their team to do the same
- widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
- future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.
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; demonstrates highest levels of integrity
QUALIFICATIONS
- University degree or equivalent experience in journalism, media, communications or similar discipline.
EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
Essential
- High level of both spoken and written English and Arabic
- At least five years of professional experience in communications, multimedia, journalism, media or external communications work in an INGO or media setting
- At least two years of experience in communications content production
- Experience and understanding of the Syria and regional Syrian refugee crisis
- Ability to deliver high-quality photographs and case studies from affected communities
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills for a wide range of different audiences including donors, journalists and the ‘general public’.
- The capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances.
- An initiative-taking, proactive, inspiring attitude with the ability to manage and prioritise an unpredictable workload and solve problems quickly with limited support
- Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy
Desireable
- Previous INGO experience
- Previous multimedia production experience
- Experience of media spokespersoning across a range of media
- Save the Children previous experience