The Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) is the largest global network for advancing research on violence against women (VAW), violence against children (VAC) and other forms of violence driven by gender inequality. The SVRI brings together a diverse group of actors aiming to achieve a world free of violence against women and violence against children through innovative responses and prevention programmes informed by evidence, with a focus on low and middle-income countries (LMIC).
The SVRI is a not-for-profit network for researchers, practitioners, activists, funders and others in our community providing unique online and offline spaces to share, learn and connect. As knowledge managers in the field, the SVRI gathers, develops, distils and disseminates knowledge for improving policy and practice. We facilitate knowledge exchange and sharing by providing colleagues with a variety of digital communication platforms upon which to network, learn, discuss, influence, and develop innovations to strengthen prevention of and response for violence against women, violence against children and other violence driven by gender inequality in low- and middle-income countries. To ensure the SVRI’s visibility and to encourage active participation by our membership, the Communications Manager will help develop, strengthen and implement SVRI’s Communications Strategy to enrich our communications, media, events and outreach efforts around key areas/projects of the SVRI.
All work undertaken and supported by SVRI strives to be feminist-centred, rights-based, innovative, collaborative, equitable and held to the highest ethical standards. Commitment to diversity and gender equity is core to the culture of SVRI.
Purpose of the Role
The role of the Communications Manager is to deliver integrated, coherent, innovative and consistent communications across the organisation’s four strategic pillars. This is an opportunity to join the SVRI team and work with us to develop and deliver a creative and innovative communication strategy for the work of the SVRI and evidence generated by the field. The role is centered around our organisational strategy and key responsibilities include driving knowledge translation and building influence to shift, disrupt and strengthen the field. This role will work closely with SVRIs Knowledge and Administration Manager and report directly to the Global Advocacy Director.
Role Requirements
- Strategic communication: Help create a new communications strategy, ensuring that it aligns with our organisational mission and goals.
- Operational workplan development: Create a workplan that is consistent with the communications strategy, outlining specific tasks and timelines.
The scope of the work will include:
1. In partnership with the Global Advocacy Director, create a clear and implementable communications strategy, and an associated monitoring and evaluation plan for the communication strategy that links to the organisational MEL system to measure the effectiveness of the strategy.
2. Managing all communications activities including packaging and dissemination of internal SVRI activities and products, external research, capacity building initiatives, courses and events. Highlighting SVRI achievements, and grantee achievements, lessons learned through SVRIs platforms and networks.
3. Developing and maintaining a regular social media plan including crafting and designing infographics, images and targeted messages for social media channels as well as text for e-mail marketing and blogs (researchers, practitioners, funders, activists, others).
4. Development and packaging of communication materials using multi-media and multiple communication avenues across the four pillars of our work. For instance:
- Building evidence: Showcase products from our grantees as well as new evidence that is coming out of the field;
- Capacity strengthening: Sharing new tools, methods and courses on research on VAW and VAC including our own online courses and those of our partners;
- Promoting partnerships: Finding innovative ways to showcase new learning and findings from the SVRI Forum and SVRI Forum 2024.
- Influencing change: Sharing our tools co-created with the field (e.g. Adaption Guide, etc.) and report on new initiatives, relationships and processes that might influence more and better funding for the field in line with research priorities set by the field.
5. Maintain and engage with SVRI’s social media community, including content creation for increased engagement and interacting with followers (i.e. via polls, engaging questions, etc.).
6. Creating communication packages for specific projects or events, enhancing visibility and engagement (e.g. PowerPoint presentations, launching surveys, new products, webinars or learnings).
7. Depending on skills and expertise other duties can include:
- Ensuring effective internal communication strategies to keep all SVRI team members informed and engaged. Handling media inquiries and building relationships with the media/journalists to enhance SVRI’s visibility and impact. Providing communications training and support to SVRI staff to enhance their communication skills. Developing and implementing plans to manage any potential reputational risks in line with our Social Media Policy.
8. Other duties as required to ensure the successful delivery of SVRI’s organisational Strategic Plan.
Required Education:
- Advanced university degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field.
- Relevant experience in public health, social sciences, development studies, or specifically in VAW and VAC would be advantageous.
Required experience:
- At least ten years relevant experience within the communications and or PR fields.
AND
- Demonstrated ability in developing, managing and monitoring communication strategies, projects and campaigns.
- Proven ability to engage and collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including partners, funders, and media outlets.
- Experience working in multi-cultural environments and understanding of diverse cultural perspectives, especially in global contexts.
- Excellent understanding of ethical issues related to communications, storytelling etc. on sensitive topics.
- Excellent writing and good design and presentation skills
- Expertise with all social media platforms and formats.
- Experience with knowledge translation including the ability to translate scientific, peer-reviewed content as well as research best practice into key highlights/fact sheets etc.
- Good understanding of violence against women, violence against children, and gender research.
- Understanding of and ability to foster a feminist approach to this work.
- Excellent IT and database management skills (Word, Outlook, Excel).
Required Language:
- Fluency in English is required.
- Knowledge of French or Spanish is highly desirable.
Salary Range
Depending on experience and expertise, annual earning will range from between R630,000.00 and R740,000.00. If based in South Africa, the successful applicant will be paid in South African Rand.
Location
This position can be remote, with required travel to in-person meetings to fulfil the duties of the position as listed above. Office space is available in Pretoria and Cape Town should the candidate prefer to work onsite.
How to Apply
Applications close: 15 January 2024.
To apply for the post, please email [email protected]:
- a letter of application stating the skills and approach you would bring to the role.
- your CV/resume in English, including three referees.
Please ensure that documents are sent with the titles “your name cover letter” and “your name CV” and state “SVRI Communications Manager” in the email subject line.