Communications Manager at Heartland Alliance

Job Summary

The Communications Manager will be responsible for managing the HALG communications unit, responsible for the design and implementation of HALG communication strategic documents and guidelines, content development for the website, developing of success stories, and working closely with the programs and strategic information team to develop reports. Management of the online tools, and other communications related matters. The Communications Manager is in charge of overseeing all internal and external communications for HALG, ensuring its messages are consistent and engaging. This position is responsible for preparing detailed media reports, press releases, and marketing materials for HALG as well as monitoring and evaluation of the impact of such materials.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Program Outputs

• Work with the Chief of Party and Senior Leadership team to promote the organizational image and specific project objectives, activities, achievements, learning and best practice utilizing the Organization’s online channels and new technology, as well as traditional publications; ensure timely dissemination of information to all stakeholders (internal and external as directed) liaise appropriately with the supervisor on all publications and developments.
• Effectively manage the Organization’s website and online tools (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.) to ensure continuous upload and dissemination of accurate and useful information to all stakeholders.
• Identify, recommend and utilize appropriate new technologies in the management of the information with the aim of gaining a wider coverage and instituting more effective and efficient means of managing the communications and knowledge management function.
• Work closely with the Management by ensuring continuous review and implementation of the HALG and project’s communication strategy.

Content development

• In collaboration with the relevant project teams, travel to field locations to interview beneficiaries, take photographs, and capture compelling success stories. Develop or update materials for various distribution and delivery methods. Develop briefing guides, feature stories, background statements, fact sheets, PowerPoint presentations, web releases and talking points that effectively transmit accurate and timely information about HALG and its projects in Nigeria.
• Provide support to the knowledge management activities of the Organization.
• Support staff to better utilize HALG’s communication platforms and promote awareness programs activities to HALG wider audiences.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of the communications strategy and budget.
• Manage the quality of work and output of consultants engaged by the Communications unit.
• Work in close coordination with the Chief of Party to maintain an up to date knowledge of the external Branding requirements.
• Provide support to members of the team when delivering external presentation.
• Represent the Organization at events and, where possible, identify and recommend potential strategic functions for which attendance would be beneficial to the Organization.
• Support of review of project reports to donors and other related external communications materials.
• Ensure that all the external reports are edited and cleared of all grammatical and professional publication errors.

Media

• The Communications Manager will be required to establish and maintain a wide repertoire of contacts within the various media houses and ensuring a sustainable and professional relationship between HALG and the media.
• Collect, archive and circulate useful information about health/HIV publication from the media that is considered relevant to the program, and identify ways in which this information can be useful to the overall program strategy.
• Develop and maintain a supportive strategy to utilize different media platform to reach program participants.

Social Media

• Develop and implement a social media strategy. Generate ideas for Facebook, Twitter and Instagram posts, and share with Senior Leadership. Ensure photographs meet standards for branding, photo credits and archiving.
• Responsible for the quarterly publication of newsletters and annual reports for HALG.
• Review and edit both internal and external documents as determined by the Senior Leadership/Management team.
• Maintain records of media coverage and collate analytics and metrics.
• Carry out a periodic evaluation on the communication patterns on all platforms.
• Keep and archive all publications of abstract, manuals, journals, newsletters, and newspaper publications for HALG at all times.

Other Tasks

• Focus on developing a high-quality marketing and communications strategy to increase HALG profile in the health and other possible areas as well as partner capacity building.
• Coordinate and organize major events for HALG including major donor visits, and anniversary events.
• Develop program communication strategies to best position HALG to gain a competitive advantage with funders in Nigeria. This includes being in close contact with communication representatives of institutional funders to regularly provide stories, and communication reports as required.
• Keep informed of initiatives and programmatic directions in the International and National NGO community in Nigeria.
• Represent HALG on communications matters in all donor events and training.
• Produce press release, speeches, and policy briefs.
• Conduct communications training for HALG staff and local partners on needs basis.
• Design and produce templates for collection of relevant success stories for HALG and make sure that the stories get to the donors for further publication on their media platforms.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Development Studies or other related Art degree required; Master’s degree will be an added advantage.
• At least 7 years of relevant professional experience managing communication.
• Communications experience with a Non-Profit Organization preferred.
• Have a good command of both oral and written English.
• A track record of content production, strong writing skill, as well as an ability to proofread and edit professional documents and writings.
• Be tech-savvy. Photography and video-editing skills will be an added advantage.

Other Competencies:

• Time Management – Ability to prioritize tasks, manage time and complete projects in a fast-paced, changing environment with minimal supervision.
• Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; varies writing style to meet needs; presents numerical data effectively.
• Adaptability - adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Cultural Sensitivity – Respects cultural environment in which person is working and does not act in a manner that is outwardly offensive to the local community.
• Non-discriminatory- Does not discriminate persons based on sexual orientation or gender identity, age, preferred jobs or behavioral habits.

Language Skills:

• Excellent oral and written English communication skills.
• Demonstrated competency in public speaking.

Computer Skills:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Outlook/Exchange, Windows operating systems, Power Point.
• Other software routinely used by Heartland Alliance.

Work Environment:

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• The employee is required to travel regularly to often insecure and limited resource environments.