Information and Communications Coordinator at Save The Children

Save The ChildrenBorno, Nigeria Design, Graphics and Media

Full Time

Save the Children invests in childhood - every day, in times of crisis and for our future. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. By transforming children's lives now, we change the course of their future and ours. Please give monthly and support our mission. Save the Children is working to strengthen health systems and support maternal and child health in four northern states. Much work needs to be done for Nigeria to deliver its promises on Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 (which aim to reduce child mortality and improve maternal health) before 2015. Facts About Nigeria More than 173 Million people live there The average girl stays in school only until she's 9 123 out of 1000 children die before their 5th birthday A parent earns an average of just $4 a day Our Work Save the Children has been working in Nigeria since 2001. We're helping to improve health systems in northern Nigeria to delivery maternal, newborn, and child health services, including the revival of routine immunization.

ROLE PURPOSE:

The Media and Communications Coordinator will collect contents (success stories, case studies, impact studies, best practices etc) and package them appropriately for internal and external dissemination, including to donors, partners, CO, WCA Regional Office, SC members and the Center, through appropriate channels. S/he will ensure appropriate coverage, documentation and representation of Save the Children’s project outcomes and impacts in Borno, Nigeria. S/he will produce communications materials, building a media profile, in support of donor engagement for support to fundraising and visibility of the response programme in Borno. S/he will ensure adherence to SCI branding policy and guideline and that the rights and dignity of families and children are respected in all materials produced and disseminated (voice, photo, video, written). S/he will be working in rapid-onset or slow onset/chronic emergencies. The role is to deliver vital information and communication products that enable excellent coverage and reflection of FO programs and responses for the media, key stakeholders, partners and fundraising activities for members and across Save the Children International.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Plan and execute strategic communications and media activities to increase engagement, profile and voice for SCI’s programs in the FO for its target audiences, internally and externally; nationally and internationally, including but not limited to donors, partners, WCA Regional Office, SC members and the SC Center
Ensure that the branding and communication guidelines of Save the Children are uniformly and consistently followed across the Field Office
Amplify the voices of children through a high quality and consistent content gathering, packaging and dissemination, internally and externally
Build engagement and regularly contribute contents for SCI social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube), Workplace, The Jebb Times, and the SCI Nigeria Website to enhance voice, visibility, awareness and relevance
Oversee Field level production and dissemination of communication materials for print/online/voice/visual and other visibility materials to be in compliance with Safeguarding Policy and SCI branding and identity guideline
Through the technical support and leadership from the CO Media and Communication Manager, s/he will produce communications and information materials to build the visibility of the response program and engagement with Save the Children members, Regional Office/Centre, partners and relevant stakeholders to support advocacy, campaign, programmes and fundraising
Promote SCI campaigns at the FO, including Every Last Child global campaign, Girls Education Campaign, Safe Back to School Campaign, and Save our Education Campaign
Produce accurate, clear and consistent information and communication outputs relating to both emergency situation and Save the Children’s response and programmes in Borno – including key messages, Q&A’s, briefings, factsheets and Situation Report (SitRep) with a support from CO Media and Communication Manager
Oversee the production of community-facing communications materials to support programmes
Build the capacity of staff members in communications for development, information and media
Work with the CO Media and Communications team on the production of compelling photo stories, case studies and audio-visual materials from the field to highlight Save the Children`s work, including the commissioning of photography and film when required and in line with SCI policies
Observe SCI Child Safeguarding Policy when engaging children for content gathering purposes
Tailor communication styles to different audiences with responsibility for ensuring terminology, branding and visibility in all materials, and ensure that SCI’s mandate as an impartial, neutral and humanitarian organisation is imparted in all communications
Support and closely work with the Digital Media and Communication Officer in successfully promoting and strengthening the profile of SCI in Nigeria through the social media and other online platforms
Support and closely work with the FO Advocacy and Campaign Coordinator in facilitating campaigns for SCI’s key events and coordinating support to CSOs, celebrities, champions, ambassadors, partners and other stakeholders
Ensure that relevant programs/sectors and projects have communication plans, oversee and support the implementation of communications plans
Build the capacity of partner organizations’ capacity for communications and media, as well as ensuring any joint communications projects are in-line with SCI policies and standards, including branding and visibility;
Graphically produce all necessary communications materials for all programs in the Field Office
Identifying and engaging all communications related consultants in the Field Office with the support from the procurement and logistics department
Perform other duties as s/he may be assigned by the TL, Media and Communication Manager, and Director of ACCM.

EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATION AND SKILLS

Graduated with Degree/Masters in Communication, Media, Journalism, Literature or related field of studies from a recognized higher educational institution; with a minimum of 2/two years of professional experience in INGOs
Proven experience of developing and managing the production of communications materials for INGOs or other similar organisations. Can produce accurate, clear and consistent information and communication outputs relating to both programme support and humanitarian situation – including key messages, Q&A’s and factsheets, case studies, press releases, media statements, briefs etc.;
Evidence of excellent English verbal and written communication skills for a wide range of different audiences including donors, journalists and the ‘general public’.
Ability to strategically target a wide-range of audiences is essential.
Excellent relationship building skills in order to work across all departments;
The ability to support the communications team in high-pressure situations, with changing deadlines and priorities;
Understanding of how to manage strategic media engagement in politically sensitive environments essential.
Experience in leading information and communication flows between a variety of internal and external stakeholders;
Proven ability to work with communities and partners to gather case studies, testimonies and information on different programmes. Excellent IT skills, especially in Microsoft Word, technical aptitude in MS Office. Experience with design softwares an advantage;
Excellent understanding of communication and information needs across fundraising, media and campaigning activities, as well donor and member requirements and standards;
Experience in capacity building, facilitating trainings and workshops;
Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion. Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy;
An initiative-taking, proactive, inspiring attitude with the ability to manage and prioritise an unpredictable workload and solve problems quickly with limited support;
Ability to fact check, proofread, edit and draft materials;
The capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances.
Commitment and interest in Save the Children's mission, vision and values. In particular, a good understanding of Save the Children mandate and child focus and an ability to ensure this continues to underpin our support
Knowledge of local language is a plus