Communications and Knowledge Management Advisor, STEER at Save The Children

Reports to: Chief of Party, STEER

Scope of Role/Detailed Description

• The Communications and Knowledge Management Coordinator will have responsibility for communications and KM work related to the STEER project.
• The Advisor will lead Communications and Knowledge Management activities across the programme using different approaches in order to influence a wide variety of government, donor, media and community stakeholders and share evidence and case studies from the programme implementation.
• The Advisor will work closely with technical staff in Abuja and State teams to develop compelling materials to support advocacy, communications and KM efforts with identified Government stakeholders and other external agencies.
• As well as the externally facing responsibilities, the role will also have internal accountability for ensuring strong systems are in place to communicate with the different staff and partners involved in implementing the programme and also support other Country Office related programmes.
• Staff directly reporting to this post: 0 directly, although accountable for communications and KM work across the project and with matrix relationship with other programmes in the Country Office and state teams.

Key Areas of Accountability
Communications (External and Internal):

• Develop compelling communications materials for the project based on lessons learned and experiences from the project for print and online
• Support in the preparation of timely program reports (quarterly, semi-annual and annual) for project, SCI Members and the donor, ensuring utmost quality in collaboration with M&E and other technical staff.
• Develop case studies for the project and ensure that these meet USAID and Save the Children child safeguarding policies
• Work within USAID marking and branding agreement on STEER to ensure that USAID visibility and branding guidelines are adhered to where relevant and appropriate to the context
• Explore opportunities to communicate about the project with a wide variety of state and national level stakeholders, using innovative methods
• Produce reports, briefing papers and presentations for internal and external audiences, as directed. Ensure strong procedures are set in place to document programme learning.
• Lead internal communications about the project with SCI Nigeria and Save the Children member and head offices. Ensure availability of project page on SCI Nigeria website and regularly update project information on the website page.
• Review and approve key messages points, press releases, and other media materials produced by the programme, ensuring compliance to agreed protocols

Knowledge Management and Communications Strategy Development and Implementation:

• Formulate key communications messages and targets from lessons learned, assessments, research and evidence gained through STEER project implementation and wider analysis.
• Support development of KM strategy for the STEER focusing on short and long term objectives and related to wider issues on the project in collaboration with the relevant Technical staff
• Support development of project wide communication strategy and creative briefs that will guide the development of media messages and materials
• Ensure that voices of children form the basis of Save the Children’s KM strategy.
• Acquire information and understanding of social policy and adapt strategies as necessary.
• Maintain a strategic overview of issues affecting children relevant to STEER, monitoring trends in the external environment and inputting to project and organisational strategy and planning processes.
• Keep a watching brief on policy makers and other key players in relation to social protection and nutrition issues and identify opportunities to raise awareness and influence policy change.
• Contribute to all efforts to raise/nurture CSO coalitions and champions at the federal and state levels.
• Identify and maximise opportunities to raise the visibility and profile of the programme, both internationally and in-country.

Collaboration & Representation:

• Develop strategic relationships with other Country Office programmes, partner agencies engaged in KM and Social Protection policy framework.
• Develop and maintain a network of external contacts with key individuals in the government, NGO sector, civil society and the media.
• Build the capacity of staff from Save the Children and partner agencies in KM and communications.
• Where required, represent Save the Children at various policy forums and KM opportunities at national and international levels.
• Where required, act as a spokesperson for Save the Children to a variety of external audiences including policy makers and the media.
• Liaise closely with staff in the Policy and Communication units at Save the Children CO and Headquarters and coordinate with Save the Children US and other Save the Children members where and when necessary

Influencing and External Representation:

• Develop good knowledge of state and national government structures, parliamentary and political processes and key decision making structures and how to influence them.
• Provide support to the National Programme Manager and other team members conducting advocacy visits to the states as well as at Federal Level.
• Undertake a range of communications and KM activities to inform and persuade policy makers, including donors and politicians, of the value of Save the Children’s policy recommendations.
• Build systems for research, analysis and documentation that underpin evidence based KM and influencing at state and national levels.
• Develop KM and communication strategies for key advocacy/communications messages.

Requirements, Skills and Experience
Essential:

• High degree of analytical skill, ability to influence and ability to communicate key messages effectively and convincingly to a diverse audience at state, national and international levels
• University degree in Social Sciences or Communications or a related field.
• Substantial experience in communications, advocacy and policy development / research.
• Good understanding of the possibilities and tactics for influencing decision and policy makers, politicians, donors, and other key actors.
• Knowledge of the media and its role in raising awareness and shaping public policy.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences at local, national and international levels.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with partner agencies and key contacts in the government, NGO, civil society and media sectors.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to effectively handle multiple tasks and meet strict deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, flexibility, adaptability and ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
• Ability to travel extensively in the country, including northern states and southern states.
• Good computer skills (word processing, spreadsheets, email / internet).
• Fluent English language skills (written and verbal).
• Commitment to the values, mission, aims and policies of Save the Children.

Desirable:

• Familiarity with OVC and community-based programming in Nigeria
• Experience in training others in Communications/KM techniques and influencing tactics.
• Prior work experience in communications in Nigeria.
• Knowledge of the policies, functions, structures and decision-making processes of key national institutions with regard to OVC program.
• Experience working with children on Health and Nutrition will be an added advantage.
• Local language skills (Ability to communicate in Hausa and other local languages will be an advantage).

Skills and Behaviours(our 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 others to do the same
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• Future orientated, thinks strategically.

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 risk

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency.