Communications and Partnership Effectiveness Advisor at Cowater

Responsibilities

• The objective of the Communication and Partnership effectiveness Advisor mandate is to support Canada’s international development assistance program in Nigeria to assess needs, enhance and optimize the communication between implementing partners of Canada funded initiatives in the country.
• The role of the Advisor should help ensure effective and resource efficient programming, with the ultimate goal of contributing to better and sustainable development results in Nigeria.
• The advisor is expected to assist in assessing the needs of partners, propose a 1-year plan to enhance, implement, monitor and adapt the plan to optimize communication and information sharing between partners and with the government of Nigeria on Canada’s activities in Nigeria, aligned with aid effectiveness principles.
• The Advisor will also support the development and ensure the effectiveness of a digital platform focused on communication between implementing partners. 

Roles and Responsibilities

• Conduct a program analysis on the partners’ needs for information and preferences in communication with other stakeholders and provide an analysis of the needs and recommendation on best approaches to bridge the gaps.
• Proactively advise and recommend ways to enhance collaboration and communication between implementing partners, including activities. The advisor will also recommend, set and manage an effective, accessible and functional digital platform to exchange information and share best practices. 
• Provide the support needed to develop a functional and dynamic digital exchange platform and support to partners to input. The advisor will provide short training and on-demand support for the use of the platform if needed. 
• Provide advice on other products and approaches to be taken to enhance Canada projects visibility with state and private sector actors, collaboration and complementarity amongst implementing partners, based on information gathered. 
• Provide support in the development of learning/exchange activities for partners that respond to adult learning principles as well as for the coordination, organisation and follow up of Partners Forum activities. 
• Any other tasks linked to communication and collaboration between development partners. 

Qualifications

Education:

• Minimum Undergraduate degree (master’s degree or equivalent would be an asset) in Communication, Marketing or other related fields. Candidates with combined degrees will have an added advantage.

Minimum Experience:

• Minimum of 4 years of cumulative experience as senior advisor or officer in knowledge or partnership management for a portfolio of projects or a program (encompassing multiple projects). 
• Development or maintenance of at least one collaborative platform with multiple stakeholders. 
• Development and implementation of at least one communication strategy, with a digital component for an NGO, private sector or international organization. 

Required Skills and Experience:

• Experience in providing advice and implementing strategies to use in reaching different audience groups across different channels.
• Experience in managing knowledge and information from different sources in an effective manner.
• Implement standards, tools and templates provided by HQ to effectively manage partnership and project development within the Myanmar Operational Hub to enhance/maintain UNOPS effectiveness as a provider of project services for sustainable results.
• Experience in conducting training and collaborative activities. 
• Experience in an international development institution (public, NGO or private) is preferred. Ability to function effectively in multidisciplinary teams is essential.
• Strong mobilization skills
• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural skills.
• Strong communication skills (writing and oral) to provide pertinent, focused and adapted advice and recommendations; and
• Commitment to teamwork and ability to build constructive and effective relationships.

Competencies:

• Superior listening, verbal, and written communication skills
• Strong knowledge and skills in digital collaboration tools, including slack and other possible options. 
• Ability to deliver quality training and activities for stakeholders on a variety of topics.
• Good facilitation skills and ability to generate ideas from, and build consensus among, a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Client-oriented; and
• Demonstrated ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and a professional commitment to promote perspectives on a culture of social cohesion and social inclusion.