Director, Communications – Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Lesotho II
About MCA
The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is a U.S. government corporation focused on assisting countries dedicated to good governance, economic freedom, and investing in people. In May 2022, MCC signed a five-year agreement (“compact”) with the government of Lesotho (GoL) aimed at poverty reduction through inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the country.
The Millennium Challenge Account (MCA- Lesotho II), is an entity established by the Government to act as the accountable entity to implement the Compact, with the authority to bind the Government with regard to all Program activities.
Lesotho Compact
The Lesotho Health and Horticulture Compact aims to benefit 2.5 million people by growing, strengthening, and organizing the private sector in Lesotho and improving the government’s coordination to deliver critical services necessary to support private sector development.
It will achieve this goal through investments in Health System Strengthening, strengthening of the business environment and Market Driven Irrigated Horticulture, providing sustainable income for smallholders and increasing climate resilience by replacing rain-fed subsistence farming with irrigated commercial horticulture in select locations.
The GoL is committed to passing several key reforms that will help make this compact successful, including reforms that address gender equality, working conditions and worker safety, as well as land and water rights. All of the compact’s projects focus on overcoming barriers to the economic inclusion of women, youth, and the rural poor.
Objective of this position
The Director of Communications and Public Affairs is responsible for leading the Communications and Public Affairs Department under the guidance of the Deputy Chief Executive Officer. The Director of Communications and Public Affairs is accountable for the successful communications surrounding the implementation of the compact (from initiation, execution through to completion), building collaborative relationships with Project and Sector Directors to develop communication framework of the compact, working in close coordination with the Stakeholder Engagement Specialist. The Director of Communications and Public Affairs is also responsible to overseeing communication department budgets, contracts, and staff. The Director of Communications and Public Affairs ensures the alignment of project execution with the overall objectives of the compact and the judicious management of its resources.
Primary responsibilities
- Lead the Communications and Public Relations for the compact and ensure that these are aligned to the established strategies, frameworks, budgets, and resources defined by the Compact and developed by Project Directors. This includes leading and managing events, media and stakeholder outreach, and public information campaigns.
- In compliance with MCC and GoL guidelines, develop an integrated communications strategy- including outreach to local and national media, government officials, stakeholders, and other audiences relevant to the success of projects throughout the life of the compact
- Coordinate with the Environmental & Social Performance (ESP) Director and Environmental and Social Oversight Consultant (ESOC) to review and provide input to the Compact Stakeholder Engagement Plan.
- Adapt communications strategy throughout the life of the compact to address emerging needs, tailoring MCA-Lesotho II’s communication approach to reflect organizational priorities and enhance messaging. Devise tools and processes to enhance the quality of the communications strategy of the compact.
- Establish a work plan to guide and track work against the communications strategy.
- Provide guidance to project staff and other team members on the MCA-Lesotho II on the Communications Strategy to ensure its implementation.
- Develop a cohesive messaging framework to inform all aspects of Compact outreach and create tools which may include talking points, fact sheets, presentations, and others, to support outreach undertaken by staff and managers across the MCA-Lesotho II. For more project-based communication tools, collaborate with Project Directors and Managers.
- Work closely with MCA-Lesotho II directors, managers, staff and contractors to provide clear key messaging for the Compact for use in all communications with stakeholders.
- Develop strong relationship with the media. Build a strong communications network with local and regional media to promote the achievements of the Compact in Lesotho, represent MCA-Lesotho II in public engagements.
- Serve as the official spokesperson for MCA-Lesotho II and the compact. Identify opportunities to amplify compact successes and convey information via media.
- Represent the Communications and Public Affairs department as an integrated component of the MCA-Lesotho II program to project stakeholders (e.g., with national/local government counterparts, civil society, project beneficiaries, etc.) ensuring that collaborative relationships are built and maintained to facilitate the delivery of the program.
- Collaborate with the Monitoring and Evaluation Director and Project Directors to strategically keep stakeholders and audiences apprised of progress via targeted channels (i.e., blogs, reports, newsletters) to provide updates on Compact and project impacts, including highlighting beneficiaries and progress.
- Establish, manage, and leverage channels, including the MCA-Lesotho II website and social media, to ensure public access to information on MCA-Lesotho II and compact activities, including on upcoming MCC-funded procurement activities, MCA-Lesotho II environmental and social policies as well as health and safety bulletins. Develop and implement market outreach activities for procurements when relevant.
- Coordinate closely with MCC Resident Country Mission and MCC Headquarters on communications strategy and plan any high-profile issues and events. Coordinate high-profile efforts with the local US Embassy.
- Manage implementation of MCC branding guidelines.
- Develop and maintain a library of communications tools, including photos, videos, and other materials, as needed to strategically support communications plan.
- Guide Communications and Public Affairs team to ensure the use of resources and the implementation of project activities are aligned to the overall project plan.
- Build the Communications and Public Affairs team through recruitment, training and development, and performance management of staff to ensure a capacity to deliver the project’s objectives.
- Oversee communications consultant and PR firm contracts, adapting terms of reference to MCA-Lesotho II’s needs and operational challenges.
- Recruit and build the capacity of the communications team, ensure the team is adequately resourced throughout the life of the compact.
- Inform implementing partners and project directors on communications approaches, ensuring sustainability to these approaches and measurability of outcomes.
- Establish communications tools to promote the MCA-Lesotho II Lesotho compact, such as reports, newsletters, and blogs. Optimize approaches and build consistency in communications outputs while adapting to the evolving needs of MCA-Lesotho II Lesotho and the Compact.
Requirements
- A Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Journalism, Community Development, Business Administration, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
- Approximately ten (10) or more years of relevant working experience in corporate and public communications, community and public outreach, or advocacy communications.
- Approximately three (3) years of experience in a senior management role.
- Ability to think strategically.
- Ability to manage projects.
- Experience working with national and local media houses and agencies; previous on-the-record experience.
- Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in managing public information campaigns.
- Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in crafting and delivering messages to diverse stakeholders.
- Strong and documented writing skills
- Experience coordinating communications across technical teams.
- Experience managing a team of communications professionals.
- Experience managing Public Relations firm contracts and/or outside consultants.
- Strong computer skills (MS Office, social media).
- Fluency in Sesotho and English.
- Experience working with international organizations or donors will be a plus.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted on-line, on or before the application deadline Sep 22nd 2023.
Complete applications must comprise of the following documents:
1. Curriculum vitae containing detailed work experience;
2. Cover letter confirming interest and availability;
3. Soft copies of higher education and professional certificates (if available);
4. A completed online application form (can be accessed from https://lesotho-jobs.tenderwell.app – CV Template MCA Lesotho II)
Only applications that are submitted on or before the deadline will be considered.
We thank all applicants. However, note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Submit your application online via: https://lesotho-jobs.tenderwell.app . Hard copy applications will not be considered.