ACORD is a
registered charity no.283302 in the UK with its Secretariat split between
Nairobi and London.
ACORD is entirely
grant funded with an average annual budget of GBP9 million per year.
The large
majority of ACORD funds are in the form of project restricted grants from
institutional donors, which we aim to evolve into multi-country strategic
grants. ACORD has an online donation facility on its website and aim to
increase the number of individual supporters.
Work is
also underway to explore fundraising from corporations.
Communications and dissemination lie at the heart of ACORD activities and Improving External Communication is one of the 4 pillars of the 2011-2015 ACORD strategic plan:
Communications and dissemination lie at the heart of ACORD activities and Improving External Communication is one of the 4 pillars of the 2011-2015 ACORD strategic plan:
ACORD will foster a robust communication strategy for ACORD's impact and added value underpinning its advocacy work and supporting fundraising.
More
specific communication objectives is to:
i) Enhance
the efficiency of ACORD's people-centred advocacy campaigns;
ii) Increase traffic on ACORD's website, one of our most important and cost effective communication tools;
iii) Get
our messages across on mass media such as newspapers, magazines, radio or
television and new social media;
iv) Enhance
the visibility and image of ACORD, and help increase public awareness on the
issues we are working on;
v) Build
consistent and powerful branding at local, national, regional, Pan African and
international levels and increase ACORD brand awareness.
ACORD publishes a wide range of materials every year for which the Communication and Media Officer will be largely responsible.
ACORD publishes a wide range of materials every year for which the Communication and Media Officer will be largely responsible.
ACORD also
relies on its website - www.acordinternational.org - and social media pages to
help the organisation achieve its mission with 3 main objectives for our online
communication: e-campaigning, e-fundraising and e-resource for civil society
and development practitioners.
ACORD works with the media to disseminate information and contribute to changing attitudes and policies towards achieving social justice.
ACORD works with the media to disseminate information and contribute to changing attitudes and policies towards achieving social justice.
The
Communication and Media Officer is responsible for ensuring successful
strategic media partnerships and for increasing visibility in the print and
online media at national and Pan African levels.
He/she will
collaborate extensively with colleagues across the organisation.
The role of
the Communication and Media Officer falls within ACORD's Partnership
Development team and the post is reporting to the Communication Coordinator.
The position is designed for an experienced and self-motivated person with a background in editing / writing and production of communications materials for international development organisations, and experience of working with a corporate brand.
The position is designed for an experienced and self-motivated person with a background in editing / writing and production of communications materials for international development organisations, and experience of working with a corporate brand.
Under
the direct supervision of the Communication Coordinator:
1. Assist ACORD with all its written (print/online) communications, including adaptation of style to achieve maximum impact of messages
1. Assist ACORD with all its written (print/online) communications, including adaptation of style to achieve maximum impact of messages
2. Assist
ACORD with developing and managing media relations and the organizational media
database at country and Pan African levels
Job
specifications and qualifications
Specifically
Specifically
- Edit, finalise, oversee
production, and ensure overall quality and consistency of a range of
publications including technical reports, annual reports, general and
targeted audience articles, information sheets, posters, thematic
brochures, presentations, and others, including rewriting and tailoring
language for different users, and supervision of editing consultants.
- Edit/write press releases and
media background material
- Support country media work and
develop a national and Pan African media database
- Write/edit material to enrich
and update the ACORD website - primary responsible for ACORD website
updated content (news, country/thematic pages, blogs...)
- Write summaries and syntheses
of ACORD countries and partners work for dissemination
- Help in evaluating material
proposed for publication, and suggesting appropriate forms for
dissemination
- Evaluate branded items and
ensure consistency of brand application
- Offer training to ACORD staff -
in particular country staff - to support development of writing and
communication skills and in branding applications
- Support the development of new
communications instruments
- Contribute to a culture of
information sharing and organisational learning in partnership development
and communication
- Any emerging tasks within the
Funding and Partnership Unit
Because of the dynamic environment
there might be a need to take on any emerging tasks in agreement with the
supervisor and as ACORD's work in relation to Partnership development, funding
and communication keeps on evolving.
Required
qualifications
- Master's degree in journalism,
mass communications or equivalent
- Excellent written and spoken
English. French would be an advantage
- At least five years experience
in editing and writing for development organisations for a variety of
media
- Knowledge of African media
houses and preferably strong networks among African and international
press senior editors
- Familiarity with production and
layout approaches
- Familiarity with the concept
and application of a corporate design (brand) and of working with brand
guidelines
- Excellent inter-personal
skills, and ability to work as a team member with colleagues of different
nationalities/cultural backgrounds
- Fully conversant with ICT and
Microsoft or Mac applications
- Ability to work under pressure
to meet tight deadlines
Relevant Knowledge and Skills
- Excellent collaboration and
team work
- Excellent networking skills
- Creativity, innovation and
ability to take initiative
- Ability to work well in a
multicultural environment across different geographical locations
- Ability to handle change and
unpredictability
- Ability to deliver under
pressure and to multi-task
- Attention to detail
- Ability to conceptualize and
present ideas in a clear and convincing manner
- Good analytical and strategic
skills
- Good understanding of the
development challenges in Africa and trends in communication, social
media, advocacy and fundraising
Timeframe
The contract will be for two years with possibility for extension.
On the basis of this broad TORs an individual operating plan with specific deliverables within the team and organisational work plan will be agreed with the supervisor
Remuneration: A competitive National package
The contract will be for two years with possibility for extension.
On the basis of this broad TORs an individual operating plan with specific deliverables within the team and organisational work plan will be agreed with the supervisor
Remuneration: A competitive National package
Closing Date: 7 June 2013
Apply to:
Submit your
application by completing the application form and e-mailing it with a
detailed Curriculum Vitae and cover letter to recruit@acordinternational.org
with the job title in the subject box.