Communications Assistant at WaterAid

With a population of over 150 million people, Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa. Political unrest, poor governance and corruption have led to decades of water shortages, while the population has increased rapidly. Though there is surface and ground water, rapid population growth, particularly in urban areas, has not been supported with additional resources. Only 11% of people have access to safe sanitation and 42% live without access to clean water. Funding for water, sanitation and hygiene is low and there is little coordination within the government. The poorest and most marginalised people live in unofficial slum settlements using expensive private services. - See more at: http://www.wateraid.org/ng/where-we-work#sthash.qlZ9kVLO.dpuf

Job purpose 

The post holder will provide support to Communication and Advocacy team in all aspects of communication that pertains to the Sanitation and Hygiene Fund (SHF) Grant programme and WaterAid. In broad terms, the job holder will ensure the project is given enough visibility, provide technical support in developing and implementing communication strategies, knowledge management and fundraising activities with reference to the SHF project delivery in Bauchi state

S/he will be required to play a key role in supporting the projects social media advocacy, advocacy to stakeholders, organize events, develop publications, documentation and campaigns that promote the Sanitation and Hygiene Fund Project. Most importantly S/he will be able to demonstrate sufficient professional and personal maturity to be entrusted with what in many cases will be sensitive information to the country programme.

Accountabilities

• A key responsibility of the Communications Assistant will be to support the Policy and Advocacy Department and the Bauchi State Programme Lead to successfully promote and strengthen our mission of delivering clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) solutions to vulnerable communities across Bauchi state Under the Sanitation and Hygiene Fund project. The position holder will be responsible for research and developing content for press statements, speeches, popular campaign materials, briefing notes, media publications, newsletters, bulletins, blogs and case studies.
• He/she will Coordinate WaterAid Nigeria’s support to state level media and CSO networks. He/she will support national and local level engagement and ensure the SHF Project and WaterAid are networked in the right spaces to influence systemic change.

Communications & Media

• Support the Policy, Advocacy and Communications department to facilitate communications and media needs for campaigns of the SHF grant programme, WaterAid key events and coordinate support to Civil Society and Media Networks. 
• With the support from Communications Officer, ensure compliance with all branding requirements of donor(s) and the Country Programme. 
• Provide on demand support to colleagues with layout of simple documents and publications as may be required.
• Manage collaborative case studies, impact surveys and other research to adequately inform stakeholders about the critical issues in WASH service delivery and design. 
• Initiate and support in dissemination events to share policy research reports in sanitation and hygiene. 
• Support the development of Terms of References for engagement of outsourced communications consultants and managing them to deliver quality work in line with consultancy requirements.
• Work with communication & media colleagues in the Country Program to develop and execute work including the provision of communication and media materials.
• Support the Monitoring and evaluation of communications and media coverage and make recommendations on future activities.

General/Cross departmental/Collaboration

• Work closely with the Bauchi State Programme Lead to follow-up on advocacy efforts to key stakeholders and ensure quality and standard delivery of all WASH projects/activities paying close attention to sanitation and hygiene programmes/Projects including HBC and campaigns. 
• Support Project Leads in delivering the objectives of the programme in WASH services, especially in sanitation, hygiene promotion/campaigns, market and business development for sanitation and Hygiene, ODF strategies and development of WASH strategic documents and roadmaps. 
• Support the programmes department in developing appropriate activities and events to mark Global Days such as Handwashing Days, World Water Day, Menstrual Hygiene and World Toilet Days in Nigeria. 
• Work collaboratively with fundraising team as may be required to deliver Country Programme fundraising initiatives /projects, especially as it relates to sanitation and hygiene.
• Work with the Advocacy, Policy & Communications and SPEL team to deliver learning products on sanitation and hygiene and engage effectively in knowledge management platforms sharing WANG learning on system strengthening engagements for improved sanitation and hygiene..

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• Must have a university degree in Mass Communication or relevant Social Science, Development studies, or related fields. 
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in communication and or media relations. 
• Experience in preparing reports and case studies.
• Knowledge of website/content management systems. 
• Basic knowledge and understanding of development issues, and WASH issues in particular.
• Excellent command of the English language, verbal, written communication, and editorial skills; with the ability to write tailored, effective content for specific audiences.
• Understanding of how media & social media can be used as an influencing tool –whether to encourage fundraising and engagement or influence decision makers.
• Experience of liaising with journalists. 
• Knowledge of a range of measuring and analytics tools, and the ability to apply metrics to media & social media activity. 
• Excellent organisation and time management skills. Able to prioritise workload and work well under pressure. 
• Computer literate, good IT skills in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook. 
• Knowledge and experience of using Adobe InDesign and Photoshop, or other design software used to produce and lay out publications and other communication materials would be useful. 
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team setting. 
• Show Initiative and be creative — willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
• Commitment to WaterAid’s values and a working style that reflects these.

Desirable

• A communications or media related degree. 
• Previous experience of working for an NGO. 
• Experience of working in a communications and/or media role for an international organisation.
• Experience of helping to influence decision makers through media work. 
• An interest in international development. 
• Experience of managing content on an intranet.

Method of Application

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