Vacancy Announcement from ActionAid International Nepal
Communication Manager
Location: Kathmandu, Nepal
Job Grade: Seven (7)
Reports to: Sr. Programme & Business Development Manager
Contract Period: Fixed Term
Deadline: Thursday, 3rd October 2024
ActionAid is a global justice federation working to achieve social justice, gender equality and poverty eradication. It was founded as a charity in 1972, and throughout its history it has innovated and evolved its approach to better address the structural drivers of poverty and injustice. ActionAid believes people living in poverty and exclusion have the power within them to create change for themselves, their families and communities and ActionAid is a catalyst for that change. In the 1990s, ActionAid adopted a human rights-based approach to development, which is ongoing as its core approach. In 2003, the ActionAid International federation was established, comprising members in every region of the world, and headquartered in South Africa.
ActionAid International Nepal (AAIN) is a member of the federation, established in 1982 as a non-governmental social justice organization, working locally across various provinces of Nepal. AAIN is deeply engaged in both national and global social justice movement and also a part of various civil society networks, alliances, and coalitions. Through a human rights-based approach, AAIN empowers marginalized communities to assert their rights and address the underlying causes of poverty and injustice. As a proud member of the ActionAid International federation, AAIN collaborates with like-minded organizations worldwide to advance its mission of promoting social justice, gender equality, poverty eradication and climate justice.
Communication is central to the work of ActionAid International Nepal and the broader ActionAid Federation. AA Nepal extensively generates communication products (digital and print) to increase visibility of its programme interventions and campaigns through digital and offline means. Positioned within the Programme Policy & Business Development Department, the Communication Unit contributes and at times leads in building strategic dialogues and partnerships by combining elements of traditional media with new media to reach different stakeholders within and beyond Nepal. As AA Nepal repositions itself as an Affiliate Member of the AA Federation within the evolving national, regional, and global innovation and development ecosystems, it has identified the need to create clearer branding to further amplify its work. Communication Manager will lead the development of the Organisation’s Communication and Public Engagement Strategy and Workplan and will oversee the overall communication function to ensure high quality delivery and implementation of the communication action plan.
S/he is also responsible to lead or contribute to the following institutional priorities as per the requirements of AA Nepal:
- Human right based approach (HRBA)
- Feminist Leadership
- Sexual Harassment, Exploitation and Abuse (SHEA) & Safeguarding (including Child Safeguarding)
- Behavioural change approach (BCA)
- Safety and Security
The major roles and responsibilities of this role can be summarised as follows:
- Lead the development and implementation of AA Nepal’s communication and public engagement strategy and work plan as well as Branding Guidelines.
- Draft press releases, fact sheets, talking points, reports, information materials, brochures, presentations, blogs, and key messages for AA Nepal (and if needed, for its partners/collaborators).
- Coordinate the design and maintenance of AA Nepal’s communication products, including the website, social media pages, other digital engagement tools.
- Prepare and disseminate publications to key stakeholders, including donors, community, government, and other relevant agencies.
- Ensure that all of AA Nepal’s external communications have a consistent style, tone, and branding.
- Prepare and implement Plan and budget of the Communication Unit.
- Manage digital engagement with key audiences via AA Nepal’s social media channels and other relevant platforms.
- Increase visibility of AA Nepal social media.
- Serve as the focal point for media and public enquiries and respond.
- Lead/contribute to organise institutional level events and campaigns (for example Social Audit, Review workshops, donor visits, etc.)
- Represent AA Nepal at meetings of inter-agency communications groups (such as Association of INGOs in Nepal) and contribute as required to make organisation visible.
- Assist with the preparation of formal statements of Board Chair, Executive Director, and other senior officials of AA Nepal.
- Represent AA Nepal at external and supports relevant thematic leads to do so effectively to influence others.
- Act as the focal person of AA Nepal for any communication related information and to ensure communication material, guidelines & policies are effectively developed, implemented, and understood by all.
- Develop/update AA Nepal Communication Strategy and ensure its implementation by all staff and concerned stakeholders.
- Participate in the development and provide positive inputs and critical comments for the formulation/update of AA Nepal’s various strategies, policies, and procedures.
Requirements:
- Excellent writing and editing skills, particularly the ability to present stories in a compelling manner across different media.
- Good organizational skills, with strong experience in organizing and facilitating meetings, workshops and writing reports.
- Excellent ability to write reports, particularly for internationally funded projects.
- Capacity to deliver presentations to wide audiences.
- Experience handling complex enquiries and interactions with multiple stakeholders.
Good interpersonal and team building skills.
- Supervisory/managerial experience
- Ability to manage and work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team
Qualification:
- Master’s Degree in Management/Communication/Media or Social work or equivalent with 5 years of relevant working experience. OR
- Bachelors’ Degree in Management/Communication/Media or Social work or equivalent with 7 years of relevant working
- Experience working through digital platforms would be an asset.
- Experience working with the Government, development partners, donor agencies, private sector and/or its associations will be highly desirable.
- Thorough understanding of development and human right issues in the country
- Sound and up to date knowledge of development concepts and social context
AAIN is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to their ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, HIV status, and disability status. Women and people from ethnic minorities are strongly encouraged to apply.
AAIN promotes its principles, strategies, policies, and procedures on Feminist Leadership, safeguarding (including Child Safeguarding and Protection from Sexual, Exploitation and Abuse [PSEA]), and Safety & Security and all applicants must adhere to AAIN’s key policies and procedures.
