Communications Strategy Support Advisor at Creative Associates International

Position Summary:

Creative Associates International, Inc. (Creative) is seeking the services of a Communications Strategy Support Advisorfor up to six weeks as short term technical assistance (STTA) directly supporting the Presidential Committee of North East Initiatives under theGovernment of Nigeria (GoN). President Muhammadu Buhari was elected in March of 2015 and immediately began to implement a plan to win the war in north-eastern Nigeria as well as provide for the return of the IDPs and refugees to lead to an eventual post-conflict reconstruction initiative. Central to this effort was the establishment of the Presidential Commission on North-Eastern Initiatives (PCNI), a coordinating body set up in the Vice President’s office which seeks to provide GoN leadership and oversight to the emergency and the reconstruction of areas affected by the conflict.

The federal government needs to develop a communications strategy to communicate its plans and actions with the wider Federal Government, State Governments, security agencies, civil society, beneficiaries and the international community.  It needs to have a strategy to communicate effectively in order to build trust, gain feedback, manage conflict and enable coordination.  The PCNI will provide coordination and support for other GoN entities such as the NEMA (Nigerian Emergency Management Agency), multi-lateral organizations such as the World Bank and the UN Agencies, as well as international humanitarian actors. It is therefore essential that the PCNI has a strategy to communicate and facilitate feedback with stakeholders.  

Reporting & Supervision: The Communications Strategy Support Advisor will report to the Chief of Party of the Creative Nigeria program, and will coordinate closely with the PCNI and Creative’s Emergency Management Coordination Specialist.

Primary Responsibilities:

The Communications Strategy Support Advisor will be co-located within the GoN’s PCNI to be tasked with developing a strategy to communicate and facilitate feedback with stakeholders, including analysis of the current situation, communication objectives, identification of stakeholders, strategic messaging, and types of communications/channels for effectively reaching each stakeholder.    

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• At least 5-7 years direct experience developing and implementing communications strategies in a variety of global contexts (experience in government communications preferred).
• Self-starter, able to quickly identify priorities and utilize time and relationships to achieve operational success.
• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred) in Communications, International Development, or other related field.
• Fluent in English.

• Previous experience working in West Africa or Africa is desirable.