Advocacy and Communications Coordinator

JOB TITLE: Communication and Advocacy coordinator

PROJECT: GAC Foundations/Thrive

LOCATION: Freetown

GRADE: 3

Type of Contract: Fixed Term



CHILD SAFEGUARDING:

Level 3 - the responsibilities of the post may require the post holder to have regular contact with or access to children or young people

ROLE PURPOSE:

Save the Children Sierra Leone country programme “Strengthening Adolescent girls’ sexual and reproductive health project” is a 6 years’ project funded by the Global Affairs Canada in Sierra Leone, Mali and Niger to ultimately increase decision-making by in-school and out-of-school adolescent girls on their SRH and rights and the use of SRH services.

The Advocacy and Communication coordinator will contribute to the design and implementation of the project’s communication and advocacy work ensuring alignment with SCI’s country strategic plan and advocacy strategy. This role will support the project team to increase visibility for SCI, partners and GAC by show casing our work nationally and globally using communication for advocacy and campaigning. The role will develop materials needed to improve communication with beneficiaries, partners and stakeholders for the project. In addition, He/she will be responsible for driving the project’s advocacy and communication strategy which is child/adolescents focused and inclusive to achieve SCI’s ambition for children. The post holder will also be responsible for ensuring that activities use evidence to facilitate engagements with policy makers, and influencers, children/adolescents are capacitated to engage community, district and national influencers and policy makers to voice their opinions on issues affecting their lives. Will closely work with project team with support from SCI’s Advocacy and Communication section.

The role holder would serve as the project communications contact including partners working on the project.

Additionally, the role will help to standardize content and content gathering, support production of stories of change, work to make sure results are reflected in communications, and support with the public engagement campaign.



SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Foundations Senior Project Manager

Matrix Reporting: Director of Advocacy, campaign, Communication and Media

Number of Positions: One (1)

Supervisory Responsibility: None

Budget Responsibilities: None



KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Project Implementation

• Responsible for creating innovative communication for the project with more visibility, advocacy and campaigning.
• Responsible for development of communication messages and materials for internal and external use: including content gathering for stills, B-rolls, short films, documentaries, Vlogs, articles, success stories, case studies etc.
• Identify and expand our partnerships and engagements with advocacy networks, political allies (district and national) NGO/CBOs, media houses to advocate Thrive advocacy agenda.
• Plan and participate in trainings, workshops, meetings within implementation locations and in networks to gather information/content to support project objectives and country programme objectives.
• Provide the team and advocacy and communications section regular updates on key communication and media news, achievement, challenges and proffer solutions or innovations for result.
• Work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager with technical support from the Director of Advocacy and Communication.
• Consistently maintain all branding guidelines for all implementation partners as required.
• Participate in the development of training manuals, training plans, workshop curricula (agendas), and ensure that all training activities are fully reported, and include, where relevant pre- and post-tests.
• Ensure that project national advocacy and communication strategy are understood and supported by all staff and lead the implementation and at national and district levels with stakeholder including women and girls’ right organizations.
  
  MEAL: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning
• Support Monitoring and Evaluation of child safeguarding activities and results for documentation of good practices and lessons learned.
• Work with the SRH Officers, Gender Equality Officers, Child Protection and MEAL team to adapt each component packages for internal and external communication
• Work with project team to gather information from the field for quarterly, semi-annual and annual reports.
• Support MEAL team on result -based reporting including development of stories of change, rolling profile and case studies reports.
  
  
  
  Other Duties
• Prepare and submit regular weekly/monthly plans and reports of activities
• Participate in and represent Save the Children in external events/meetings as requested.
• Undertake any training required to meet the objectives of the post or as relevant to SCI.
• Comply with all relevant Save the Children policies and procedures, including, but not limited to: fraud and anti-bribery, child safeguarding and code of conduct, sexual harassment and gender equality, safety and security, finance, procurement, and human resources.
• Ensure all project activities are implemented in line with safe programming procedures/protocols.
• Frequent travels to the Kailahun district to support program implementation
• Other significant duties as may be assigned by his/her line manager.
  
  
  
  SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (SCI Values in Practice)
  
  Accountability:
• holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.
  
  Ambition:
• sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
• widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.
  
  Collaboration:
• builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
• values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.
  
  Creativity:
• develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• willing to take disciplined risks.
  
  Integrit y:
• Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity
  
  
  
  QUALIFICATIONS
• Degree in mass communication, Development communication or International Relations
• At least 3 years of experience in the creation and implementation of advocacy and communications initiatives for children, adolescent and young people. or related programming
• At least 2 years of experience working with an international organisation.
  
  
  
  EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
• Experience in writing blogs, articles, short stories etc.
• Experience in using digital camera or smart phone technology for productions of B-rolls, short videos, films high quality still photographs.
• Experience working with networks and cultivating partnership with various stakeholders.
• Experience in policy analysis and development of communication messages and materials
• Experience in coordination of advocacy and communication related activities/events
• Experience in mobilising and working with community structures in an inclusive, child-sensitive, and gender-sensitive manner.
• Proven experience in organising and facilitating trainings, especially on gender equality and social justice laws/policies and child protection related issues.
• Experience in using participatory methodologies in programme implementation, preferably involving children, adolescents and young people.
• Experience working with local implementation partners and providing technical support to them.
• Excellent facilitation, communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work as a team member within a collaborative framework.
• The ability to work independently and use own initiative; strong problem solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to plan and organise work, cope with pressure and prioritise competing demands on time.
• The ability to represent the organisation and advocate with a wide range of partners, including government, NGO’s and community representatives.
• Ability to write clear and well-structured reports (quarterly, semi-annual and annual report).
• Strong computer skills, especially in word, excel, PowerPoint.
• Commitment to Save the Children’s aims, values and principles.
• Motorbike riding skills with valid license are considered a plus.
• Training on content gathering, including:
  
  o How to stage a video
  
   Lighting
  
   Background noise
  
   Microphones (or ability to hear speakers clearly)
  
   Background visuals
  
   Aspect ratios (for social media)
  
  o How to conduct an interview (what makes compelling storytelling, how to avoid sounding scripted in responses, etc.)
  
  o How to stage photos
  
   Lighting
  
   Background visuals
  
   Aspect ratios
  
   Action shots versus posed portraits
  
  o Storytelling (what makes a good story, how to balance data with creative details, and how to craft a story when most details must be omitted).
  
  Equal Opportunities
  
  The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures, and all other relevant policies, procedures, and protocols.
  
  Additional job responsibilities
  
  The job duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the Post holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.