Background:
Fairtrade is the leading ethical trading label globally and it’s
objective is to improve livelihoods of producers and workers through trade. The
Africa Fairtrade Network (AFN), set-up in 2005 and operating as Fairtrade
Africa (FTA), is an umbrella organisation representing over 700,000 Fairtrade
certified producers in Africa, and is a member and co-owner of Fairtrade
International (FLO) which operates from Bonn, Germany.
FTA aims to effectively represent producers within the FLO
system and in the broader fair trade movement, working to increase market
access and organisational support for African producers and contributing to
poverty reduction in Africa.
To achieve this FTA works with relevant organisations and
institutions in building support for Fairtrade and fair trade conditions across
Africa and for bringing together people, institutions and governments in a
movement for change in world trade.
Currently there are over 300 Fairtrade certified groups in
Africa and the movement is continuing to grow in Africa with new intra-Africa
Fairtrade market opportunities and domestic sustainable consumption emerging
across the continent especially in South Africa and Kenya.
FTA is governed by an elected continental Board, representing
all certified producers in Africa, through four regional structures (in
Southern, East, West and North Africa), each of which has its own Board of
Directors and staff.
As a member of the Fairtrade International, Fairtrade Africa is
also accountable to their Board and works in close collaboration with other
Producer Networks in Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and with Labelling
Initiatives all over the world who are responsible for the development of
consumer markets
Commencing in 2013 the African Fairtrade Network will expand its role within Africa beyond representation, coordination and participation for producers to include service provision, product origin management and support standards delivery for increased efficiency and accountability to producers.
Job Title:Communications Manager
Team: Programmes
Job Family:Communications
Category:International/Local
Location: Nairobi,
Kenya
Reporting To: Programmes
Director
Reporting to this post: Communications
Assistant; Communications & IT Officer
Scale Level: Manager
Level 1 Scale point 5
Salary Range (Basic): USD
2,500 - 3,960
Budget Responsibility: Yes
Job Purpose:
The Communications Manager (CM), carries the overall
responsibility for the development and implementation of Fairtrade Africa’s
communications strategy and plan.
This involves delivering many different channels of
communication, across the continent, regions and Internationally and in
different languages.
The Communications Manager in his/her capacity is responsible
for: increasing understanding of Fairtrade Africa (producers, external
audience); position Fairtrade Africa as a facilitator for producers, partners
and traders; increase visibility and recognition of Fairtrade Africa
(producers, external audience).
He/she will also be in charge of coordinating the organisation’s
annual Africa Fairtrade Convention, which unites producers and partners in
Africa and globally and also support other events as necessary.
The CM will also provide support to the regions and assist with
communications and brand management of
specific projects, most notably the introduction of Fairtrade to consumers.
specific projects, most notably the introduction of Fairtrade to consumers.
Finally, as Fairtrade Africa is undergoing internal changes, the
CM will help drive improvements in internal communications throughout Fairtrade
Africa and the global movement.
Overall, the CM will help create a positive regional and
international environment in which Fairtrade can succeed by leading the
communication strategy and implementation, event delivery and coordinating with
the regional teams, member organizations and other stakeholders in and out of
the Fair Trade movement.
Specific Tasks
Communication Strategy Development, Planning and Budgeting
- Lead
FTA communications and media strategy and contribute to the Global
communications and branding strategies.
- Lead
in the achievement of communications goals.
- Ensure
that evaluation systems are in place related to these goals and report
progress.
- Develop
short and long term communications and media related plans and budgets for
the strategy and workplan, programme and activities; and to monitor
progress and evaluate performance.
- Drive
improvements in an internal communication framework following the merger
of Fairtrade Africa with Fairtrade International’s Product Services &
Relations department within FTA and the wider global movement.
- Manage
the suppliers and service providers ensuring great quality, delivery and
value for money.
Producer communications
- Improve
communication with producers to keep them informed about Fairtrade Africa
projects and activities
- Enhance
communication between producers to share best practices
- Support
Regional teams at internal events with producers
- Communicate
with producers to create impact stories
- Build
communication plans that highlight the value that FTA brings and therefore
encourages producers to pay their membership fees
External communications & event management
- Coordinate
communication work with Fairtrade International, Regional and National Fairtrade
Organisations and other Producer Networks – (providing materials and
communication tools)
- Identify
and support networking initiatives to maximise FTA reach to supporters and
stakeholders.
- Build
and maintain relationships with audiences such as business associations,
think tanks and academia;
- Coordinate
FTA’s annual event (Africa Fairtrade Convention)
- Support
other relevant events.
Writing/editing
- Lead
in the development of FTA annual reports and other publications;
- Write
and edit FTA newsletter to publicize Fairtrade news and developments;
- Manage
FTA website, ensuring it is updated regularly
- Lead
in writing media statements and support development of other
communications materials
Media
- Provide
proactive and reactive information to the media or to Fairtrade partners
for media purposes to support organizational goals and strategies
- Oversee
media monitoring on Fairtrade
- Support
the Executive Director as the spokesperson, and schedule and participate
in interviews, as required
- Support
and train producer members and colleagues in media work
Fairtrade Marketing Support
- Coordinate
external communication launches for Fairtrade marketing organisations
supported by FTA
- Support
the implementation of the communication strategy for these marketing
organisations;
- Support
the identification and roll-out events
- Support
the creation of campaign materials
- Support
the development and roll-out of a media strategy
Skills and Competence – Essential:
- Graduate
level degree or equivalent.
- 5
years of experience working in communications for reputable organisations
including at least 1 year line management experience.
- Proven
facilitation skills in multi-stakeholder settings & experience working
with different audiences, from consumers to donor partners
- Proven
experience in brand identity management including design experience.
- Excellent
attention to detail.
- Proven
track record in event coordination
- Internal
communications experience
- In-depth
knowledge/experience of one of the following: the fair trade movement and
its role and impact in promoting development; international development
issues; ethical trade or social corporate responsibility.
- Languages:
Excellent English is essential.
- Experience
of working in an African environment
Preferred:
- Working
knowledge of French and other relevant languages, strongly preferred
- Qualification
in communication
- Experience
in international media
- Up-to-date
experience in new media
- Kenyan
consumer & media experience preferred
Personal Qualities
- Demonstrable
ability to drive forward work on own initiative and with limited guidance
- Demonstrable
ability to motivate and enthuse others
- Preference
for working in multicultural environments
- Political
judgement backed by a diplomatic and sensitive working style
- Collaborative
and supportive approach to teamwork.
Job Title: Regional
Assistant - South African Network (FTA-SAN)
Team: Programmes
Location:Observatory, Cape Town -South Africa
Fairtrade Africa Purpose: To
improve the socio-economic conditions of African producers and workers, mainly
in the agricultural sector
Reporting Lines
Post holder reports to: Regional
Manager
Staff reporting to this post: None
Scale Level: Based
on FTA scale
Contract Period: 1 June
2013 – 30 November 2013
Budget Responsibility: Yes
Job Purpose and Reporting:
The role holder will play a key role in supporting the
coordination of regional activities for the Southern Africa Network (SAN) and
shall report to the Regional Manager on day-to-day basis taking guidance and
advice as required.
The FTA-SAN Board is responsible for directing FTA-SAN strategy
and ensuring FTA strategy implementation in the region reflects regional
specific factors for maximum impact.
Specific Tasks
- Facilitating
Board meetings, informs Board members on a regular basis, take care of
minutes and ensures minutes are mailed and signed by the Board Members
- Communication
with producers/members (mailing reports and newsletter, welcome producer
kit)
- Provides
support to the accountant by keeping track of payment folders, ensures
filing of reports
- Participate
in the FTA conference organisational team. The conference will take place
in Cape Town in November 2013
- Supports
the growth and effectiveness of country and product networks
- Coordinate
the Fairtrade Africa sugar network
- Facilitates
country and product partnerships to increase access to market, technical
and organisational support for producers. Keeps an updated list of
potential partnerships and call for tenders in the Region, works on
proposals drafted by the Regional Manager
- Fundraising
for the Regional Network
- Perform
other relevant duties as may be assigned by the Line Manager and the
regional board.
Knowledge and Experience Required
- At
least 2-3 years of work experience in development organisations, learning
institutions or private sector implementing livelihood
promotion/enhancement projects
- Proven
facilitation and reporting skills
- Experience
in proposal writing and fund raising
Job Description
- Graduate
level degree in Business, Agricultural Economics, Rural development,
Social or Development studies;
- Knowledge
and understanding of Fairtrade
- Excellent
written and spoken English and some working knowledge of major languages
spoken in the region will be an advantage;
- Experience
in the Southern African region including the issues affecting workers
rights
- Must
be able to communicate effectively including make presentations to diverse
audiences;
- Willingness
to travel in basic conditions and at short notices;
- Proficiency
in MS office
- Excellent
planning skills including for events and other projects
Desired:
- Work
experience in grassroots work with producer and worker organizations;
- Cross
cultural experience;
- Experience
with certification schemes, ethical standards and standards setting
processes
- Experience
in working with Boards
- Regional
Languages (Afrikaans, French, Portuguese, isiXhosa)
- Experience
in using computerized enterprise solutions for accounting and
reporting
Skills
- Able
to handle varied, demanding and complex tasks
- Ability
to work independently
- A
flexible and enthusiastic approach to work with the ability to be part of
a team
- An
organized and methodical approach to work
- Able
to manage competing priorities to tight deadlines.
Application Deadline: May 10th
An application form (CVs will not be accepted) can be found on
the jobs and volunteering page of our websitewww.fairtradeafrica.net.
If you have any queries, please e-mail
recruitment@fairtradeafrica.net or call +254202721930 and ask to speak to a
member of the Admin team.
Qualified applicants will be subjected to background checks as a
condition of employment.
The final hiring decision is anticipated mid-May for a start
date of June 1st, 2013.
Completed applications should be e-mailed to
recruitment@fairtradeafrica.net
All applicants should state how they meet essential requirements
of the post and include their email address, telephone contacts and three
referees with contact details on the application form.
Notes: This
job description is intended as a guide and should not be viewed as an
inflexible specification as it may be varied from time to time in the light of
strategic developments following discussion with the post holder.
The post holder will be expected to work to agreed objectives,
which should facilitate achievements of the key responsibilities in accordance
with the Performance Review Process.