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Communications & Public Relations Manager

To provide strong and strategic communications direction and support to WV South Sudan, through creating, implementing and overseeing communications and public engagement programmes that effectively describe and promote the organization’s visibility and its mission to children.


KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

      Planning and Strategic Role:
    • Lead the development and implementation of an integrated strategy for the building of a high-performance communications function that is managed, structured, focused and staffed for productive and quality work.
    • Engage with the WV South Sudan National Director and senior leadership in strategic communications planning and processes that support their objectives, strengthen the organization, raise public awareness and help children thrive.
    • Provide sound leadership and management to the WV South Sudan Communications Department, while assessing and developing the skills of its staff and facilitating their professional growth.
    • Lead the WV South Sudan team and engage as needed with other teams for successful work in the strategic focus areas of the organization.

      Internal Communications Management:
    • Promote internal communications messages and products of WV South Sudan to reflect messages that are skillfully developed and articulated for meeting their objectives.
    • Support NO executive leadership in communicating areas of their work that create shared understanding and support.
    • Serve as a consistent, creative and timely information source to the WV Partnership on key areas and issues of WV South Sudan ministry – development, relief and advocacy – and their specific programme sectors.
    • Establish systems and safeguards for the appropriate and effective flows of relevant information to and from WV South Sudan staff both internally and externally as/when required.
    • Consult and network with relevant WV South Sudan stakeholders around the WV Partnership as needed and appropriate to ensure that their key information resource needs are being met by WV South Sudan, in compliance with agreed standards, policies and priorities.

      Donor/Public Engagement Communications Management:
    • Manage the planning and production of compelling and issues-oriented fundraising, advocacy and publicity materials (web-based, electronic, print and video) for effective donor and public engagement by WV South Sudan -both in-country and internationally, and in collaboration with other World Vision Offices and stakeholders.
    • Oversee the consistent and timely offering and production of feature stories and photos for sharing with World Vision Partnership and stakeholders.
    • Ensure that stories, photos and other materials are produced to standards of quality required for informing, educating and engaging said donors and publics via Partnership websites, magazines, adverts, donor appeals, media releases and other communications channels and outlets.
    • Manage WV South Sudan events.

      Media Communications Management:
    • Contact and work with print and broadcast media to generate proactive and positive news coverage.
    • Prepare and position the Programme Director for important media opportunities and interviews that promote and protect the public image and ministry of WV Uganda, while raising public awareness on key issues of poverty and justice.
    • Identify, train and position other media spokespersons within WV South Sudan from the project-level to senior leadership as a strategic and appropriate way for responding to media inquiries and achieving positive coverage.
    • Monitor national media and establish the overall capacity of WV South Sudan to initiate and respond to media contacts with required speed and skill.
    • Develop a management plan for implementation to protect the reputation of WV South Sudan from actual or potential media crisis.

      Emergency Communications Management:
    • Plan and manage communications in response to both slow- and rapid-onset emergency disaster/relief situations - ensuring that the WV Partnership is provided with quality stories, photos and media interviews from the field.
    • Deploy to disaster zones if/as required to provide national and international media with information, interviews and assistance in the field.
    • Ensure that the communications team has all key tools and training required for rapid deployments to and communications from the field for extended periods of time.

      Advocacy Communications Management
    • Collaborate with advocacy department to define key issues, messaging, and communications channels for public advocacy initiatives.
    • Oversee the development of advocacy-oriented communications products including web-based and print materials, posters, briefing papers, reports, stories and photo essays.
    • Support advocacy campaigns by engaging the media to gain exposure and credibility, and increase public discussion and fundraising.

      Development Communications Management
    • Conducts appropriate and comprehensive situation assessment including baseline studies in relation to programme / issue. Analyses and recommends strategies for improving efficiency of national/government, district and community level communication for behavior and community-led social change related interventions.
    • Identifies training needs and develops training materials and activities to build capacity in participatory & behavior communication at various government and community levels, in support of programme sustainability. This also includes providing technical support to key stakeholders in the development and appropriate use of programme communication for social development
    • Develops partnerships with various children groups, religious groups, government plus traditional leaders, and other organized groups in the community, as well as civil society organizations, to orient them on country programme goals and to solicit their involvement in the implementation of World Vision programmes.
    • In collaboration with partners, organizes/manages the development, pre-testing and production of culturally relevant communication materials to ensure effective and efficient programme delivery, including facilitating behavior change, where necessary.


KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
      REQUIRED:
    • A degree or equivalent in journalism or communications/public relations.
    • At least five years professional experience in journalism or public relations is preferred.
    • English language fluency (written and verbal).
    • Excellent writing skills, with photographic and/or video skills also preferred.
    • Demonstrated ability to think and manage strategically, plan and meet deadlines.
    • An energetic, analytical and self-starting approach to projects that involve significant responsibility.
    • General experience in project management, with specific experience in the production of diverse and creative communications projects including publications, multi-media, websites/pages, photo and video reports, etc.
    • Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
    • Able to travel and work in the field as an essential function of the position.
    • Personal faith in and commitment to Jesus Christ, as expressed through World Vision’s vision, mission and core values.
    • Computer literate
    • Must be a committed Christian, able to stand above denominational diversities.
    • Attend and participate/lead in daily devotions and weekly Chapel services.
    • Perform other duties as required.

Communications & Public Relations Manager