Technical Advisor - Social Change Communications

Short introduction

The UK Department for International Development plans to implement a programme tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) called Preventing Violence Against Adolescent Girls in Ghana (PVAAG). The programme is expected to improve the lives of adolescent girls in Ghana by addressing the high prevalence of violence against them. The outcome will be the reduction of violence as experienced among adolescent girls in target communities and the intended impact is the long term reduction in the prevalence of violence against girls and women in Ghana.

The programme will combine four mutually supportive outputs:

Output 1: Adolescent girls have increased ability to protect themselves from violence and/or seek support following threats or incidents of violence.
Output 2: Adolescent boys and girls have improved knowledge and attitudes towards violence against girls.
Output 3: Social norms campaign target group has improved knowledge and attitudes towards violence against girls (to protect girls from violence and support them to be safe from violence).
Output 4: Robust knowledge and evidence is produced on the drivers and effects of VAWG against adolescent girls in Ghana and “what works” to tackle this.
Options is seeking a qualified campaigning and social norms specialist to support the implementation of output 3 and ensure a quality and innovative approach feeding into a youth-led social norms campaign on VAWG, at regional and national level.

Summary purpose and objectives of role

The purpose of the role is to support the development of a strategic, integrated campaign designed to drive attitudinal, behavioural and social norms change on VAWG at multiple levels. Responsibilities will include:

Technical leadership, programme delivery, and successful implementation of output 3, ensuring that the social norms campaign is implemented to the highest standards of quality and efficiency and designed to shift the attitudes and beliefs that justify and perpetuate VAWG in Ghana. Provide technical advice on campaigning and VAWG social norms, working closely with other agency counterparts and partners involved in PVAAG. Develop tailored messaging frameworks for a range of audiences and contexts, including identifying priority channels and partners for communications.

Management of social change communications,** working together with the Team Leader, develop and implement a clear vision for the campaign and oversee local adaptation and strategic national level communications. Oversee the development of effective communications resources that reflect the campaign’s vision and overall brand personality. Coordinate the team to develop and ensure coherent, integrated messaging across the PVAAG programme. Develop and write content, led by local priorities and insight. Proactively engage with social media and other suitable communications platforms identified for each context. Ensure that the roll out of the social change communications component in each targeted region follows the vision and strategy designed during Inception and is appropriately adapted to the local context. Coordinate with external stakeholders, supporting communications and messaging at regional and national level and taking voices from the ground to regional and national communications.

Implementing knowledge-sharing and stakeholder engagement, lead on knowledge-sharing through a variety of media to improve implementation and disseminate successes and lessons learnt. Develop tools, resources and workshops to build capacity amongst members and partners on social change communication. Work with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Advisor to ensure that lessons from the programme and routine monitoring data are collected and all donor reporting requirements are met.

Client and government and partner relations, represent the programme with external partners, ensure effective coordination with government ministries, DFID, and other stakeholders at regional and national levels. Identify opportunities to recruit partners to support the work of the movement and national coalitions (including media and private sector partners), coordinate events and participation of the programme in regional and national events. Support advocacy and mobilisation activities as required in target communities, and work with local and national partners as necessary.

Person specification The successful applicant will possess:

• At least 10 years’ professional experience in the development and /or charity sector, specifically working in the protection of women and girls against violence.
• Proven track record in multimedia communications product development and creative assets, including design and understanding of social media in the African context.
• A demonstrable track record of bringing about transformational social change and developing strategies for challenging environments and complex and sensitive issues.
• Significant knowledge and experience in campaigning, at regional and national level, engaging key stakeholders, communities and government (incl. local authorities) on social issues faced by girls and women, preferably in the fight against VAWG and social norms change.
• Strong technical expertise of VAWG and challenges faced by girls in Ghana or related area (e.g. children’s rights, FGM/C, sexual and reproductive health/rights).
• Previous experience working with a team of highly skilled, multidisciplinary and multinational staff, with ability to multi-task, work under pressure, and adapt quickly to address new information or changing circumstances.
• Outstanding leadership and client and external liaison skills, with experience of working in complex environments with government, donors and external stakeholders, and building consensus and inspiring motivation among diverse stakeholders.
• Familiarity with the political, social, economic and cultural context of Ghana and West Africa more broadly.
• Excellent writer and editor with an ability to communicate complex ideas through simple messages and formats.
• A postgraduate qualification in Social Science, International Development, Gender or a related discipline.
• Excellent written and spoken English, with knowledge of national Ghanaian languages a bonus.

HOW TO APPLY:

Application process

• To apply, please send your CV with a summary note of your skills and experience and why you feel you are suited to this role, to Leanne Turner opportunities@options.co.uk. Candidates should state the role in the subject header.
• Closing date for applications is 12th September 2016.
• Applications will be reviewed as they are received; interested applicants are encouraged to submit applicants as soon as possible.