Plan International recruits a Communications and Influencing Advisor, Mano River Cluster – Dakar, Bissau, Conakry, Danemark

Plan International is an independent, with no religious, political or governmental affiliations organization, that works in 52 developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas. We strive for a just world that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

Plan International’s ambition for its policy and influencing work is to drive changes in policies, behaviours and practices at international, regional, national and local levels, so as to advance children’s rights and equality for girls. Plan International’s new Global Strategy aims to transform the lives of 100 million girls and implement a programme and influence approach to achieve it. National level influencing – in Mano River Cluster and Plan’s other country offices – will play a key role in delivering results at scale.

Under the supervision of one of the CDs in the Mano River Cluster, the Communications and Influencing Specialist will coordinate, advise on and implement Communication and Influencing strategies and contribute to Plan International becoming a recognized voice for child protection in.  This is done through:

• Support Mano River Country offices to develop and deliver Plan International’s communication and Influencing strategies
• Providing leadership in reinforcing Plan International’s brand, reputation and public relations ;
• Supporting technically and building capacity of the country team to establish a strong external and internal communication function .

 

Accountabilities :

A relevant and up-to-date Mano river cluster Communication and Influencing Strategies are developed, delivered and monitored taking into account global and emerging regional program and campaign priorities.

• Mano river cluster communication adds value to countries, cluster operations, regional and global program, advocacy, campaign, fundraising, and PR plans and initiatives. Their implementation is monitored and progress adequately documented and shared ;
• Lead and manage the design and implementation of the Influencing Strategy in coordination with staff and partners, by taking an integrated approach to influencing. Review and update the Influencing strategy as appropriate in response to the evolving context ;
• Mano River Cluster country offices have sound country communication strategies and plans in place that help to efficiently profile influencing and quality programming and Plan’s program priorities .

Plan’s global campaigns have quality communication plans in place that support campaign goals and results :

• Establish Plan International as an organisation effectively contributing to long-term change making in areas such as law, policy, budget and behaviour ;
• Support Mano River cluster countries to undertake in-depth power and policy analysis of the structures, systems and networks to identify opportunities for changes in law, policy, budget and behaviour at the national level that will drive the achievement of the strategic goals and objectives set by the country office ;
• Ensure that Influencing initiatives are aligned with both the County and Global strategies ;
• Ensure strong linkages with the Programmes and Monitoring, Evaluations and Research (MER) staff so that advocacy and policy approaches are based in evidence ;
• Develop materials to support influencing, including reports, briefing materials and key messages for a variety of stakeholders ;
• Design and deliver strategic influencing activities, such as workshops and events ;
• Monitor and report on Mano River cluster’s progress in influencing and its contribution to change making, including to donors where relevant.

Ensuring network Leadership and Capacity Development :

• A cluster internal technical network for communication exists, has clear terms of references, meets regularly and efficiently shares information and knowledge ;
• Capacity assessments for communication (and other) staff are carried out to determine capacity development measures ;
• Countries technical staff are being kept up to date with newest developments from the communication sector and knowledge and information from other organizations is being efficiently shared to promote best practice ;
• There is a fruitful collaboration between WACA Hub communications and influencing teams and mano river countries teams as well as relevant teams from NOs, IH and other RO ;
• Work with Regional Office and International Headquarters to strengthen and support influencing.

Mano river cluster is known for the quality and reach of its influencing and quality programming within and beyond the region :

• Country, regional, and international media report positively and regularly about Plan’s work in Guinea, Guinea Bissau and Senegal ;
• Plan WARO’s Mano river’s cluster page on PlaNet is regularly updated with high quality articles ;
• Countries communication teams use social media effectively to engage the public in its work, program & campaign goals

Mano River’s Cluster staff feels well connected to the global organization, its values, purpose and objectives :

• Global and regional accolades and award initiatives are professionally supported and help profile Plan West Africa as a major contributor to Plan’s global winning team ;
• Plan West Africa’s internal communication efforts result in increased reporting about our work on IH, and NO websites and efficiently support fundraising efforts, particularly for emergencies ;
• Plan staff in West Africa feel connected to the organization through efficient management of the regional and global team briefing process and other internal communication measures .

Gender, Child Protection and DRM are mainstreamed

• Ensure that Communication and PR activities meet Plan International child protection standards and standards for ethical journalism ;
• Ensure gender mainstreaming into communications, influencing and public relations activities and maintain gender sensitivity towards staff to avoid discrimination
• Efficient management of communication in crisis/disaster situations including development of Situation Reports (Sitreps) to create the right environment ;
• With the support of the DRM Managers or national focal point, reports on emergency/disaster situations then according to required standards ;
• Comply with Plan’s Child Protection Policy at all times to safeguard and protect children from all forms of abuse.
• Produces campaign reports and media type productions and promote girls through case studies and assist NOs in productions about girls ;
• Ensure that all indicators related to the standard 8 of Plan International Child Protection Policy on advertisement, media and communication on children are met ;
• Ensure the risk assessment are met and mitigations’ actions are in place for all communications’ activities that will involve the participation of children ;
• Ensure all media partners and visitors we are working with are briefed and abide by the child protection policy of Plan International .

 

Representation :

• Identify and build strategic partnerships and engagement with organisations, networks, political contacts and other key stakeholders to further Plan in the delivery of its influencing agenda ;
• Undertake high-level representation for Plan International Mano river’s cluster at conferences, seminars and other events.
• Manage and contribute to the development of Plan International partnerships in relevant fields of expertise and influence including strong and innovative relations with media ;
• Build and maintain relationships, partnerships and networks with advocacy, gender and communications specialists in other organizations, agencies and institutions ;
• Good relationship and networking with media partners for effective collaborations to meet the organisation’s objectives
• Organize the roll-out of country and regional initiatives on Communications and Influencing at country level to promote Plan International ;
• Develop and manage relationships with media, journalist networks as well as NGOs and government authorities in the area of communication to ensure Plan International communications reach the right audience ;
• Facilitate media including international visits at country level to ensure the objectives of such visits are well met .

 

Child and youth safeguarding policy :

• Ensure the implementation of standard 8 on child and youth safeguarding related to Publicity, media and communications toward children ;
• Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion 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.

 

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge :

Essential :

• Master’s degree in development, politics, human rights, Journalism, Mass Communications and Public Relations, or a related field ;
• At least, five (5) years of relevant professional experience including management and implementation of communication and influencing strategies ;
• Strong experience in writing both in French and in English ;
• Demonstrated experience in using with success key influencing strategies such as advocacy, lobbying, movement building, or policy development Essential ;
• Experience of developing and implementing communication strategies that bring about significant policy and/or practice change ;
• Experience in carrying out power, policy and political analysis to inform strategies and projects ;
• Experience of working with coalitions and networks ;
• Proven experience of working in partnership with other NGOs and NGO networks ;
• Good knowledge of the communication and public relations profession ;
• Strong knowledge of child and women’s rights and gender justice Knowledgeable in working with local and international media and liaising media activities in a national and regional environment ;
• Knowledge in building individual and organizational capacity in communications and PR skills ;
• An understanding of child protection, gender, human rights and development programs (livelihood, health, education etc.) youth and child participation, and community development issues and processes is desirable ;
• Knowledge of modern communication platforms, understanding of news values and demonstrable success in generating media interest and coverage ;
• High level communication skills, including experience of communicating effectively across cultures and with diverse audiences, both verbally and in writing ;
• Excellent writing, editing and reviewing skills both in English and in French ;
• Promotes innovation and learning ;
• Communicates clearly, effectively and enthusiastically ;
• Strong competencies to plan, prioritize, and execute autonomously with strategic approach ;
• Ability to deliver to tight deadlines and budgets ;
• Creativity and innovation ;
• Behaves consistently in his/her approach to work and decision-making ;
• Strong negotiation, facilitating and influencing skills ;
• Ability to understand different cultural contexts and marketing / PR realities related development issues would be an advantage ;
• Strong team building and motivational skills .

Desirable :

• Proven ability to undertake planning, programme development and evaluation ;
• Ability to facilitate participative processes that aim to decision making and agreement ;
• An excellent understanding of the dynamics of national civil society organisation (CSO), Government, international, regional and multilateral institutions ;
• Able “to put in practice” concepts and strategic thinking .

 

How to apply :

To apply, click on the link and send by 8th July 2019 your application with:

• A comprehensive cover letter ;
• A comprehensive and clear CV that includes the contact of two of your referees, one of whom should be your current employer.

Females’ candidates are highly encouraged to apply

Plan International is an equal opportunity employer and is engaged in child and youth safeguarding and gender equity.  We practice zero tolerance for fraud, corruption and harassment. Our recruitment process demonstrates those values.