Regional Online Communication Specialist

Plan International is one of the world’s longest-operating aid and development organisations, with a special focus on helping marginalised children in 50 developing countries, including 14 in Asia, to access their rights to health, education, livelihoods, disaster risk management and protection. In 2013, Plan worked with 78 million children in 90,229 communities. We are independent, with no religious, political or governmental affiliations. In addition to our long-term development work with communities, Plan has extensive experience responding to natural disasters and other crises, deploying teams of technical experts to support the immediate delivery of clean drinking water, food, medical supplies, shelter, educational resources and psychosocial support. Plan is also recognised for its expertise in protecting emergency-affected children from abuse, exploitation, neglect and violence. Effective communication plays a key role in Plan achieving its goals and objectives at every level; from programs to advocacy to campaigns to brand awareness. With this in mind, Plan International invites highly competent, experienced and committed professionals to apply for the following role: The Regional Online Communication Specialist will support achievement of the Asia Region Strategic Plan goals, and delivery of global, regional and country-level communications objectives by strategically using online communication to promote Plan’s advocacy agenda, help to raise children’s voices, document our programs, progress and milestones, and inform key stakeholders and the public about our work. Under the supervision of the Regional Communications Manager, the Regional Online Communication Specialist will be responsible for ensuring Plan Asia is visible, engaging, respected and active in online spaces, working towards a clearly defined set of goals that supports Plan's strategic global vision. The successful candidate will work as part of an integrated team to develop and translate evidence-based strategy into measurable action, identifying and resolving problems as they arise. The Regional Online Communication Specialist will provide sound strategic recommendations to senior management at short notice amidst competing operational demands. A key focus will be working in partnership with Plan Communications staff in offices across the region and around the world to coordinate online communication efforts in support of significant events such as natural disasters, campaign launches, UN observances and report launches. This role will also work to strengthen the overall capacity of Plan communications staff at the country and regional level to effectively use and integrate strategic online communication in line with accepted principles, practices and standards. This will include engagement and capacity building of child and youth representatives in the communities Plan works to support.
Dimensions of Role: • Budget: This position will work in conjunction with the Communications Manager to expend and account for the role’s relevant budget allocation. • Area of Responsibility: Online communication • Staff reporting to the role: None • Networks: Represent Plan in meetings/fora where the incumbent’s expertise will be of use, including the ARO Communication Network. Typical Responsibilities - Key End Results of Position: The Regional Online Communication Specialist will contribute to Plan’s success by: Primary: • Working with the Communications Manager to develop, implement and monitor an annual social media plan (integrated with other communications functions) that leverages key international dates and engages audiences with Plan’s work and the issues Plan advocates on. • Managing all social media accounts for Plan Asia, ensuring that appropriate and engaging content (text, images, videos, infographics etc) is being sourced, prepared and shared on a daily basis. This includes responding to, and managing, public enquiries received via social media channels. • Monitoring the web and social media landscape for opportunities for Plan to contribute, and for threats to Plan’s reputation. • Monitoring social media impact and refining approaches accordingly, sharing results with the Communications Manager. • Keeping an overview of developing trends in web content delivery and social media and keeping the Communications Manager and other key colleagues abreast of such trends. • Refining and updating website content with a focus on Plan’s programs, strategy and successes. • Acting as an ambassador for Plan’s web content and social media activities, promoting them both inside and outside the organisation. The position will also source and edit news stories to be featured and post them on sites. • Coordinating and supporting online communication activity across Plan’s 14 Asian country offices. This includes provision of technical assistance to country office staff, supporting them to effectively use and integrate strategic online communication in line with accepted principles, practices and standards. • Working with Plan staff and external suppliers to develop engaging content for multimedia digital platforms, including text, images, video and graphics. Secondary: • Supporting the Media and Advocacy Specialist and Communications Manager in responding to media requests and linking with external media to promote Plan’s work and advocacy agenda. • Keeping all Plan staff in the region and globally updated regarding Plan’s work and achievements in Asia. • Supporting children engaged in Plan’s participatory media projects to develop their skills and communicate via film, photography, social media and multimedia tools. Support occasional child-friendly technical trainings on videography, photography and social media. Success Metrics: • Plan’s presence on social media grows. Stakeholder online engagement with Plan also increases. • Traffic to Plan web content that the Regional Online Communication Specialist manages should increase. • Key stakeholders and the public are aware of Plan’s achievements and initiatives. • CCCD, child protection and gender equality principles are reflected in all videos and materials produced. • Child protection & gender-responsive perspectives are reflected in project outlines. • Plan Brand standards adhered to at all times. • Work plan developed with active participation of different stakeholders that links to Communications team work plan and strategy. • Project requests reviewed and endorsed to Communications Manager for on-time approval. • Positive feedback on projects and work from Global/Regional/Country Office colleagues and other stakeholders.

Others • Complies with corporate policies and standards: Child Protection Policy, IT Policy, Anti-Fraud and Corruption Policy, Confidentiality Policy, Code of Conduct, Whistle Blowing, HR Policies and Procedures. Success Metrics: No violations to the corporate standards and policies.

Personal Development: • Attends internally and externally-facilitated training events, workshops, symposiums, studies, conferences to enhance level of performance. Maximizes ICT for greater awareness of local and global trends affecting development work. Accepts special objective assignments for skills enhancement and expansion. Shares learning to benefit others. Success Metrics: Active membership in networks; clear evidence in skills progression; shares skills with others; positive reviews from supervisors on developmental assignments.

Dealing with Problems: The successful candidate needs to work as part of an integrated team to develop and translate evidence-based strategy into measurable action, identifying and resolving problems as they arise. The Regional Online Communication Specialist will regularly handle complex public queries received through social media and provide sound strategic recommendations to senior management at short notice amidst competing operational demands. Communications and Working Relationships: Stakeholder/s Level of contact Purpose Plan Asia Regional Office (ARO) and Country Office communications teams and consultants. High Daily contact and fully integrated work planning and implementation. Plan ARO Country Directors Medium Regular contact to support innovative, strategic and responsive online communication. Intensive contact in emergencies. All Plan communications and advocacy colleagues at national, regional and international levels Medium Regular contact to ensure aligned and mutually reinforcing activities and planning. Proactive sharing of experiences and resources. Plan ARO program colleagues (especially thematic specialists and the DRM team) Medium Regular engagement and joint planning/implementation to support achievement of programmatic and cross-cutting advocacy and media/campaign objectives. Key journalists, bloggers, influencers and media outlets of relevance to the region High Proactive relationship management to support positive and continued coverage of issues that support Plan's mandate. Plan ARO operations staff [including finance, assurance, risk management. human resources, administration and security]. Medium Regular contact to ensure proactive management of operations requirements.

Knowledge, skills and behaviours required to achieve role’s objectives: • Bachelor’s degree in communication, development communication, journalism or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A related master’s degree will be an advantage. • At least five years of demonstrated experience working as a professional communicator in online environments; experience of development and humanitarian issues affecting children and families preferred. • Strategic understanding of the principles behind social media, and their potential to deliver interactive communications. • Expert knowledge of current social media practices, issues and trends, particularly in the humanitarian sector, including hands-on experience of social media platforms, e.g. Twitter, Facebook and popular national platforms, preferably also of blogging, and knowledge of the web and social media landscape across the region. • Tech-savvy and capable of undertaking basic website editing and maintenance tasks. • Exceptional written and interpersonal communication skills, especially social media-oriented ‘writing for the web’ skills. • Strong experience in outcomes-focused strategic communication and planning across the full spectrum of media formats and genres. • Facilitation and training skills, including ability to design and conduct meetings, trainings and related activities, ability to employ child-friendly ways of eliciting the views of children and willingness to take into account the views of children in decision-making. Must be able to communicate with children in a positive and non-threatening way, creating space for them to share their views and feel heard. • Strong organisational abilities; able to prioritise and manage short-term and continuing projects across diverse themes despite competing deadlines. • Hands-on experience with related software, particularly image editing software, e.g. Adobe Photoshop or Elements. Video editing experience preferred. • Strong visual communication abilities, including the ability to communicate complex ideas simply. • Absolute fluency in written and spoken English is essential (shortlisted candidates will be required to undertake written tests). Expresses ideas and facts in writing and orally in a clear, organised and convincing manner appropriate to the audience and occasion. • Strong commitment to raising the profile of issues affecting children and their families in communities affected by poverty. • Strong character traits, including team work, emotional stability, adaptability, and ability to handle stress, strong initiative and self-motivation, cultural and gender sensitivity, honesty and physical fitness to travel are essential. • Practical experience in the application of Sphere, HAP, INEE, NGO/Red Cross Code of Conduct and other relevant standards to communications work preferred. Physical Environment and Demands: • Spends some time in the areas of assignment; • Exposed to varied weather conditions during field work; • Exposed to areas with contagious and communicable diseases; • Occasionally exposed to dusty, rugged and mountainous terrain, inaccessible roads and flood-prone areas; • May need to cross seas, rivers, swamps, hanging bridges etc; • May be required to work during night time, weekends and holidays in order to ensure timely delivery, especially during emergencies.

Level of Contact with Children: Regular contact: Regular direct contact with children/child-related information.

How to apply:

Should you be interested in these positions, please submit a cover letter, comprehensive CV By Feb 19, 2014, to:PlanAsia.JobVacancies@plan-international.org Only shortlisted candidates will be notified. Plan takes active measures in recruitment and employment to ensure children are protected. Plan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. www.plan-international.org