Communications Officer at WaterAid

Job Title: Communications Officer

Department: Programmes Directorate

Place of Work / Location: WaterAid Nigeria / Abuja

Pay Band: WaterAid Salary Band D

Contract type / Duration: 2 years (Fixed Term)

Reports to: Communications & Media Manager

About WaterAid

WaterAid is an international not-for-profit, determined to make clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere within a generation.

Since we started in 1981, we’ve remained resolutely focused on tackling these three essentials that transform people’s lives. Without all three, people can’t live dignified, healthy lives. With all three, they can unlock their potential, break free from poverty, and change their lives for good. Children grow up healthy and strong, women and men get to earn a living, whole communities start to thrive. It sounds normal and it should be.

By inspiring people and sparking chain reactions we help deliver lasting change in what’s normal. By working closely with partners internationally and on the ground in some of the toughest places in the world, we help achieve widespread change. Millions of people have already taken control of their lives and built better futures.

We’ve been working in Nigeria since 1995, with the government and people of Nigeria, as well as a variety of partners, to reach and transform the lives of some of the poorest and most marginalised people in society with clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. We are determined to get these basic life-saving services to everyone, everywhere by 2030. It’s about more than installing taps, toilets, boreholes and wells.

To make lasting change happen on a massive scale, we pool knowledge and resources, link policy makers with people on the ground, change attitudes and behaviours, rally support from people and organisations around the world and convince governments to change laws.

Together, we will change millions of lives for the better – and change normal for everyone, everywhere within a generation.

Working with WaterAid: Change normal for others and for yourself too.

We’re not just about changing normal for others. If you’re looking for something different, you can change what’s normal for yourself too. Connected to what you do. Inspired by the change you help make happen. Space to be yourself at your best.

We tackle big issues that need big solutions. We work across borders and across cultures, and in some of the most challenging situations. It’s never easy and we can never afford to stand still. Wherever you work in WaterAid and whatever job you do, you’ll feel this energy and that you are part of making big change happen.

We welcome talented people who are still hungry to learn and grow as individuals. We welcome people who appreciate and respect different people and ideas but aren’t afraid to challenge themselves and their colleagues – all to help us achieve the step change in progress we want. And how we do it matters. We are all connected as WaterAiders – we have fun together and we look out for one another. We’re not afraid to challenge one another, but we do it constructively and thoughtfully.

We strive to be an excellent employer and invest in our people to maximise our impact. We provide a competitive benefits package and a tailored learning and development plan for all employees.

At WaterAid you’ll be encouraged and empowered to be yourself at your very best – giving you the space to use your own talents and shape your own future, the space to change what’s normal for yourself too.

Changing normal is what drives us. It’s our common purpose. We’re not here to provide aid over the long term. We want to bring about change that sticks and help change lives for good. It’s a massive goal and an incredible thing to be part of. Let’s change normal together.

The Programmes Directorate

WaterAid Nigeria’s current country programme strategy set a building block towards delivering a more influencing led programme over the long term. WaterAid Nigeria’s Programme Directorate is responsible for engaging with multiple stakeholders in the programmatic value chain to ensure delivery of quality programmes in line with the country programme strategy and quality programme standards. The Programme Directorate plays a central role in influencing as well as in designing and overseeing the delivery of quality programmes that enhance WaterAid’s leadership role within the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) /development sector in Nigeria and more specifically, achieve clear and measurable contributions towards improved WASH and broader poverty reduction/development indices in Nigeria.
Purpose of the Role

This position will have a critical responsibility for supporting the delivery of strategic and high-quality communications programming. It will promote and strengthen WaterAid Nigeria’s profile through the media and other opportunities. The role will improve overall country programme communication quality by shaping copy into concise, engaging and highly effective material for a range of audiences. The role will be an authority on our brand and communications in general.

Accountabilities

Communications & Media

• Engage with regular and social media to actively promote WaterAid’s image and visibility.
• Edit and produce WaterAid content in a variety of formats including print and digital.
• Provide on demand support to colleagues with layout of simple documents and publications as may be required.
• Source articles and coordinate the edit and layout of the country programme’s regular newsletter publication, collating and reviewing content from staff and partners and from all our work for sharing with wider audiences.
• Provide editorial service to other WaterAid departments, overseeing copy editing, design and print.
• Develop and facilitate content to contribute to build communications skills and capacity in other teams across the country programme.
• Help to coordinate communications activity and content across the country programme, developing Terms of References for engagement of outsourced communications consultants and managing them to deliver quality work in line with consultancy requirements.
• Directly responsible for maintaining WaterAid’s case study and photo library; work with information technology colleagues to evolve improved approaches for managing photo and digital communications materials.
• Act as in –house brand specialist ensuring all WaterAid branding requirements are complied with by all staff.
• Work with colleagues throughout the organisation to plan, write, and support media work around WaterAid Nigeria’s service delivery and advocacy work, campaigns, fundraising initiatives, and key organisational moments.
• Work with communication & media colleagues globally to develop and execute work including the provision of communication and media materials.
• Build and maintain excellent relationships with relevant journalists, broadcasters and commentators in the local, national and international media and widen interest in WaterAid’s work.
• Write copy as required for print and web outlets, in-house use or use by third parties on behalf of WaterAid.
• Work with individuals and departments throughout the organisation to design and deliver internal communication campaigns to engage staff in external initiatives and key organisational moments by coming up with creative concepts and developing strategies, identifying relevant tools and channels, executing the campaign, and promoting it.
• Monitor and evaluate communications and media coverage and make recommendations on future activity.

Social Media

• Maintain and update accounts across all major social media platforms day to day (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Google+, Pinterest), to enhance brand awareness and develop deeper engagement with existing and potential supporters.
• Flag any inaccurate or potentially damaging comments on social media for the Communications & Media Manger’s attention and contribute to measures to counter impact of such inaccurate or potentially damaging content.
• Innovate ideas and approaches for delivering social media and digital content for promoting WaterAid Nigeria’s programmes, influencing & campaigns and fundraising focus.
• Undertake editorial/media production activities as directed by the Communications & Media Manager.
• Manage WaterAid Nigeria’s websites and other online platforms. Ensure the website is easily accessible and contains up-to-date and relevant information about its contributions and services to the sector and communities.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Degree in relevant discipline, preferably a master’s degree or higher in communications.
• Three to four years’ experience working in a communications and media role, including the production of a variety of content and materials, for different media
• Basic knowledge and understanding of development issues, and WASH issues in particular.
• Excellent command of the English language, verbal, written communication, and editorial skills; with the ability to write tailored, effective content for specific audiences.
• Accuracy and keen attention to detail, in order to produce high quality communications.
• Understanding of how media & social media can be used as an influencing tool – whether to encourage fundraising and engagement or influence decision makers.
• Experience of liaising with journalists.
• Knowledge and experience of using Adobe InDesign and Photoshop, or other design software used to produce and lay out publications and other communication materials would be useful.
• Proven ability to think creatively and so generate a wide range of communications materials & media coverage.
• Knowledge of a range of measuring and analytics tools, and the ability to apply metrics to media & social media activity.
• Ability to forge effective collaborative working relationships within the team and with colleagues from across the organisation.
• Excellent organisation and time management skills. Able to prioritise workload and work well under pressure.
• Computer literate, good IT skills in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team setting.
• Ability to deliver work on time and to a high standard.
• Show Initiative and be creative — willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
• Commitment to WaterAid’s values and a working style that reflects these.
• Desirable Criteria
• A communications or media related degree.
• Previous experience of working for an NGO.
• Experience of working in a communications and/or media role for an international organisation.
• Experience of helping to influence decision makers through media work.
• An interest in international development.
• Experience of managing content on an intranet.

Our People Promise

• We’re looking for people who share a commitment to our vision, and a commitment to playing their part in changing normal. We’re looking for people with an appreciation and respect for different people and ideas, and the energy and expertise to help tackle the most important challenges.
• In return, you can expect to get inspiration from the change you help make happen, a sense of belonging and the feeling of being part of a global community. You will also experience stimulation and fulfilment, the chance to grow, and space to be yourself at your best.
• This is our pledge to you.

Apply

• If you are interested in the position and have the right skills and attributes, Complete the application form by clicking this LINK
• WaterAid is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.
• We particularly encourage applications from women who are underrepresented at this level in the organisation.
• WaterAid is committed to ensuring that wherever we work in the world there is no tolerance for the abuse of power, privilege or trust. WaterAid reinforces a culture of zero tolerance towards any form of inappropriate behaviour, abuse, harassment, or exploitation of any kind. The safeguarding of our beneficiaries, staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf, is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All staff and volunteers are required to share in this commitment through our Global Code of Conduct.

Only candidates shortlisted for interviews will be contacted.