Communications/Knowledge Management Manager at DAI

Start date: April 2022

Background:

The purpose of the five-year (2020-2025) “State Accountability, Transparency and Effectiveness” (“State2State”) Activity is to increase the accountability, transparency and effectiveness of selected state and local governments in Nigeria. This will be achieved by: strengthening governance systems (with a focus on public financial management and procurement, as well as monitoring and evaluation) related to the delivery of services in key sectors (basic education, primary health care, and water, sanitation and hygiene); increasing government responsiveness to citizen needs and priorities; and improving government and civil society capacity to manage conflict (through work on prevention, mitigation and reconciliation with the same sectoral partners, not stand-alone assistance to the police or judiciary). State2State will achieve this purpose by facilitating the strengthening of subnational governance systems in a sustainable manner, supporting the efforts of local reformers and building on locally-derived solutions including, to the extent possible, reforms already working in other parts of Nigeria.

Position Objectives:

The Communications/Knowledge Management (Comms/KM) Manager will work with the technical team and state team leads to provide overall support to project communications, effectively communicate project impact to stakeholders, and ensure that communications strategies and activities advance State2State objectives. S/he will be responsible to provide leadership and ensure the quality of all State2State project communications--including the overall design, development, and management of the project’s public affairs and public awareness communications programs. S/he will provide leadership in the preparation and presentation to USAID of reports on the progress and impact of program activities. S/he will encourage an open, transparent environment where everyone is informed about project developments. S/he will lead efforts to regarding the proper storage and circulation of project documents and information. S/he will lead the production of newsletters and bulletins for internal and external audiences and weekly summaries for all staff on what is happening across the project.

Responsibilities:

The Comms/KM Manager will:

• Design and implement communications strategies to promote project activities and achievements, engage key stakeholders, and advance governance reforms in partner states.
• Lead development of all USAID reporting deliverables (weekly, quarterly and annual reports); create reporting schedules and templates, manage overall production process, and work with the team to compile, edit, and finalize all reports for submission.
• Create and oversee the production of high-quality outreach and communications products for external audiences, including project briefs, visibility materials, technical publications, e-newsletters, and other products as needed. Work with the technical team to regularly develop story products that capture the impact of State2State activities for external audiences. These include weekly highlights, success stories, blog articles, and audiovisual products.
• Oversee media activities across the project to facilitate media coverage of State2State activities, including cultivating media relations, organizing events, and monitoring press coverage.
• Design and manage a social media strategy to regularly share project content and engage stakeholders through State2State social media platforms.
• Serve as a thought leader for State2State strategic communications; proactively leverage opportunities to promote project visibility, provide guidance to staff and stakeholders on best practices, and advise senior leadership team on ways to improve project communications.
• Manage a team of communications professionals to support effective delivery of communications activities and ensure high quality outreach materials.
• Provide guidance and training to build capacity of State2State staff in strategic communications, writing, and reporting.
• Work closely with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) team to track communications metrics and ensure that MEL results/outputs effectively feed into communications products and USAID reporting.
• Support State2State knowledge management (KM) activities; collect, manage and disseminate technical information, field data, and lessons learned and ensure accessibility for project teams.
• Provide quality assurance to ensure compliance with USAID branding and marking.
• Manage external subcontractors (graphics, photo, video, communications firm), as applicable.
• Liaise with the USAID Development Outreach and Coordination team as required.
• Review/edit project documents submitted by grantees as needed.
• Upload communications products and relevant documents to systems and establish/follow database and knowledge management practices.
• Undertake any other relevant tasks as assigned.

Reporting:

The Comms/KM Manager will report to the Director of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning. The Comms/KM Manager is intended to supervise a team of state-level communications specialists across the project’s areas of implementation.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as English, communications, marketing, information management, public affairs, media, or other relevant field.
• At least nine (9) years of experience in marketing communications, information management, public affairs, public awareness and/or media.
• Experience working in international development communications.
• Previous experience working with USAID is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in managing a team.
• Demonstrated ability to produce quality reports and other communications products.
• Demonstrated experience in managing media relations and developing and maintaining content for social media platforms.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Applications from women, people with disability and young people who meet the above qualifications are encouraged.