Manager – Communication and External Relations at Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative (YEDI)

Job Overview

The CERM, reporting to the Executive Director will drive the design and effective delivery of YEDI’s communications strategy, lead campaigns, strengthen external relations and increase the visibility of our work across Nigeria. S/he will lead the communication planning and execution for all our programs, delivering creative, robust, clear, and data-driven communications to key audiences and diverse stakeholders, to ensure YEDI’s organizational and program impact is well documented and reported.

TASK & RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Accountabilities:

Communication Strategy and Public Relations

• Design and implement strategic communication plans for the organization and its programs, to enhance the impact of YEDI’s work and enhance its voice in the sector.
• To ensure all communications activities undertaken are monitored, evaluated, and inform future work, producing insights reports for the team, donors, our Board and other stakeholders
• Cultivate mutually beneficial relationships with media firms, agencies and ensure maximum publicity for the YEDI Brand.
• Effective reputation and crisis management.
• Coordinate press activities.
• Develop and implement marketing plans for the organization, its programs, and its activities.

Digital Marketing

• Coordinate the creation of multimedia productions for the organization including commercials, short documentaries, audio messages and videos in various formats.
• Coordinate and supervise the creation of content and leads on social media to drive publicity for YEDI’s programs and events (e.g. Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, blog etc), also monitor & report performance metrics quarterly.
• Manage and oversee the digital fundraising activities of the organization.
• Branding, Corporate Communications, and Events
• Oversee and manage the activities relating to the production and distribution of branding materials for YEDI and all its programs/events e.g. banners,
• T-shirts, flyers, etc.
• Ensure adherence to brand ideals in all external and internal communications and events.
• Manage the production of corporate materials used in stakeholder engagement.
• Manage internal and external communications of the organization, ensuring that the message is consistent with the mission and values of YEDI and engaging. Tailor messages to increase awareness and maximize the potential of various channels.
• Ensure the regular and timely production and distribution of YEDI’s biannual newsletter, annual reports, and other publications related to the organization or its various program activities.
• Ensure all YEDI events are effectively branded as required in full compliance with grants, contracts, and agreements

Partnerships & Relationship Management

• Liaise with the Executive Director to create and implement communications, public relations, media and branding strategy to strengthen YEDI’s reputation, visibility and social influence.
• Identify key media and key journalists and foster the relationship with them to proactively position the organization`s topics and messages in the national news agenda.
• Providing leadership in coordinating media involvement in the YEDI activities; including press releases and coverage, special features and airing of events in print and electronic media
• Plan and implement engagement plan for funders and partners; identify different stakeholders and beneficiaries’ groups and determine the best way to communicate effectively with them.
• Develop and maintain relationships with YEDI’s stakeholders, conduct annual stakeholder satisfaction surveys and reviews that feed into the program and organizational improvements, as well as consult with programs departments on stakeholder engagement and management.
• Maintain and update YEDI’s partner database and mailing list.
• Website Maintenance and Content Management
• Coordinate and manage websites- ensuring regular maintenance and up-to-date content that effectively projects the YEDI brand.
• Manage and optimize SEO for the website and blogs.

Qualifications

• Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in a Communication/PR/ or any other relevant field. A postgraduate degree is an added advantage.
• 3-5 years’ experience in Corporate Communications, Media/Public Relations is required.
• Experience in fundraising, partnership, and stakeholder management is preferred.
• Familiarity with NGO/civil society sector is an added advantage but not compulsory.
• Proficient public speaking and facilitation skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with a good command of the English language.
• Creative thinking and an ability to understand and craft messages for a diverse audience.
• Good knowledge of graphics design and basic video editing skills is preferred.
• Experience of using customer relationship management (CRM) systems, and Content Management Systems (CMS) tools will be an advantage.

Behavioral Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the YEDI’s values and ethical standards. · Strong analytical, driven, efficient, innovative, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong customer service skills with the ability to interact with stakeholders with top-notch professionalism.