Marketing and Communications Manager - (Nigerian Nationals Only) at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Job Summary

The CRS Marketing & Communications Manager (MCM) will be responsible for developing and executing a marketing plan for CRS in Nigeria in close collaboration with the Country Representative, Deputy Country Representative and Business Development Specialist and with MEAL and program staff. The MCM will liaise with and manage external consultants in photography, design, printing and event execution in support of the marketing plan and will build CRS staff capacity in communications planning and implementation. A critical element to the job will be CRS brand management in Nigeria, in line with guidance and procedures from the CRS branding guidelines and global headquarters in the US which may include media relations. The MCM is a key member of the CRS team and will work closely with Senior and Program managers on a variety of assignments.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

A. Marketing and Communications:

• Marketing Plan Development: The MCM will focus on developing, in close collaboration with the Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Coordinator and Business Development Specialist, a high-quality marketing and communications strategy to improve CRS Nigeria’s profile in the agriculture livelihoods, humanitarian and health program areas.

• Crafting Messages: The MCM, in collaboration with the relevant program team, will develop specific “pitches” tailored for each audience. These pitches will be finalized with HQ, regional, and/or country program staff before delivery.

• Marketing Materials: The MCM, in collaboration with the relevant teams, develop or update marketing materials (multi-media, print, posters, etc.) for various distribution and delivery methods. Develop briefing guides, feature stories, background statements, fact sheets, success stories, power point presentations, web releases and talking points that effectively transmit accurate and timely information about CRS in Nigeria.

• Resource Mobilization: In collaboration with the Business Development Specialist and the Leadership Team, refine or develop program communication strategies to best position CRS Nigeria to gain a competitive advantage with funder. This includes being in close contact with communication representatives of institutional funders to regularly provide stories, photos, and communication reports as required, as well as ensuring CRS Nigeria’s compliance with donor’s branding and marketing requirements.

• Media Relations: Under the direction of the Country Representative (CR) and Regional Communications Officer, manage media relations.

• Social Media: Act as the focal point for the CRS Nigeria Facebook account, posting Facebook country program updates 1-2 times per week. Generate ideas for FB posts, write the posts, seek approval for posts and schedule the posts. Ensure photographs meet standards for branding, photo credits and archiving; respond to any comments or messages on the page, if needed. Lead social media campaign partnerships as required and lead/support social media led SBCC campaigns. Access metrics including impressions, reach, conversion rates, growth rate and engagement. Additionally, be the focal point for generating CRS Nigeria content for HQ’s global SM.

• Representation & Networking: Support the planning and coordination of events, missions, VIP visits, under the leadership of the CR. Keep informed of initiatives and programmatic directions in the international and national NGO community in Nigeria. When requested by the CR, attend national and international organization events to represent CRS and its programs. Assist in coordinating HQ and donor delegations to CRS programs.

• Knowledge Management: In collaboration with specific members of the programming team, document SPA-based operational research, case studies and innovative practices for dissemination both inside CRS and to identified donors, government, private sector entities and other development and humanitarian actors. Oversee creation and management of effective web-based platforms for knowledge collection and dissemination and act as content manager of the platforms. Archive photos, video, fact sheets, training materials and other communications documents on CRS’ SharePoint site or other format and ensure they are accessible to program staff in a timely way.

• Internal Communications: develop high quality monthly newsletters in coordination with CRS staff to communicate CRS work to donors, Bishops and internally for CRS staff. Help conceive creative ideas and direction, working with writers and photographers/graphic designers within and outside the organization.

• Events Management: coordinate and organize major events for CRS programs and partners, including project launches, major donor visits and anniversary events. The MCM may be assigned to assist partners in organizing key partner events.

• Brand Management: Ensure that all project communications are appropriate for CRS’ strategy, identity and the changing operational environment in Nigeria, including but not limited to CRS’ project sites, project documents, video and visual pieces, media products. Take leadership in ensuring that all project communications are consistent with CRS’ branding and publications guidelines, global best practices and donor requirements.

• Training and Capacity Building: Facilitate and coach relevant CRS Nigeria staff and partners on best practices in marketing and brand management.

• Reporting Activities: Keep CRS’ Regional Information Manager, based in Dakar, regularly updated on key communications events, programmatic developments, success stories, high-profile visits, and the similar for onward communication to CRS/HQ and potentially the US Media.

B: Supervisory

• Draft scopes of work and provide supervision to field level CRS and partners staff as required.

• Consultants for events management, photography and videography

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in Adobe Creative Suite, especially InDesign, is strongly desired.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic Qualifications (BQs)

• Minimum Master’s Degree in Communications, Journalism, or related studies; experience in INGOs or UN preferred

• Minimum five years’ experience working in development and relief programs or business on marketing and communication activities

• Ability to work with stakeholders on multiple levels including government agencies, non- governmental organizations, donors, media groups, religious groups (Catholic, Muslim, etc) and CRS staff

• Proven inter-personal skills and ability to influence through communication

• Demonstrable track record of successfully disseminating information to a variety of target audiences

• Capacity to plan, coordinate, organize and schedule and deliver outputs to a specified deadlines

• Visual literacy and visual communication competencies and skills in publication design

• Experience with managing organizational social media accounts, especially Facebook.

• Understanding of major issues of international development and donor assistance

• Flexibility to work both in a team and independently

• Cultural sensitivity, patience and flexibility

• Demonstrated personal accountability and driven to serve others

• Understanding of and experience with faith-based organizations, local church structures, and accompaniment and capacity-building principles in local partnerships highly desired

• Ability to travel nationally and internationally as required

• Excellent English language oral and written communication skills

• Highly proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and desktop publishing skills

• Experience in Adobe Indesign is strongly desired

• Proven organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously

• Mature disposition in appropriately managing sensitive situations

• Nigerian nationals only

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity

• Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• Builds Relationships

• Develops Talent

• Strategic Mindset

• Accountability & Stewardship