Grade: D Lower
Reports to: Director of Partnerships, Advocacy and Communications
Reporting to this post: Digital Engagement Officer
Travel Requirements: Regular national travel
Renumeration: R505 000 per annum
CHILD SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT:
Save the Children South Africa has a zero tolerance towards the abuse and exploitation of children by any of our representatives, and we are equally committed to doing everything within our power to avoid unintended harm or accidents to children as a result of any of our activities.
JOB PURPOSE
Reporting to the Partnerships, Advocacy and Communications Director and working across the organisation, the Head of Communications is the most senior purely Communications position within the organisation. As Save the Children South Africa (SCSA) establishes itself as an organization, this role will be instrumental in working with the Director of Partnerships, Advocacy and Communications (PAC), through providing specialist advice, to create and implement integrated strategies for Internal, External and Brand Communications. This role requires creativity, an entrepreneurial outlook and the ability to develop high quality communications, including plans, materials and messages for all fundraising and advocacy activities, in order to increase support. Simultaneously, the Head of Communications is responsible for producing and delivering a wide range of on and offline campaigns that serve the needs of the organisation while ensuring that the SCSA website and social media platforms do the same. The Head of Communications will also be responsible for creating and delivering a media strategy. As a member of the PAC team, a particular focus of the role is to carry out communications work that promotes Advocacy and Fundraising.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Communications:
With Director of PAC, support development of and implement external communications strategy for Save the Children South Africa, including a digital engagement, media, and PR strategy.
With Director of PAC, develop and implement internal communications strategy, for all thematic areas of Save the Children South Africa.
Lead the Communications department to deliver a communications plan, including developing messages, general copywriting, content writing for the website and social media for fundraising and advocacy.
Develop and produce all publications and online materials including, quarterly and annual integrated reports, newsletters, briefings, releases to increase awareness of Save the Children throughout South Africa.
Ensure that Save the Children South Africa website and social media platforms are updated continuously and represents accurately the work of the organisation and serves all departments.
In concert with other functions in the team and other departments, plan and identify deliver key mass mobilisation moments throughout the year, such as SCSA’s involvement in national and global campaigning moments.
Deliver communications work (on and offline) around these key moments, working with the Digital Engagement Officer, making the most of the opportunities and content available in Save the Children globally.
Organise, facilitate, or participate in campaigns and public or official events as directed.
Participate in global communications working groups as relevant, including Internal communications groups.
As required, represent Save the Children and as necessary in relevant forums, conferences, and public events.
As required, liaise with external stakeholders, including government, donors, partners etc.
Act as the main contact for Save the Children South Africa for all local and foreign media work, both reactive and as a result of a proactive PR strategy.
Develop and manage communications budget to feed into overall PAC budget.
With Director of PAC, develop key organisational SCSA messages.
- Partnerships:
Ensure that the website and social media platforms are optimised for fundraising.
Link with regional offices and programmes to make sure that excellent content is available for advocacy and fundraising materials.
Engage with all Save the Children South Africa teams to define organisational messaging and communications platforms.
Engage with the media to profile the Save the Children brand.
3. Brand Management:
With Director of PAC, support development of organisational brand strategy for Save the Children South Africa.
Develop brand guidelines in line with this strategy, in line with global Save the Children requirements.
Ensure that all materials, throughout the organisation, off and online, are consistent with organisational branding guidelines.
Identify target audiences, appropriate messaging, and measure success of actions in terms of brand awareness.
4. Staff Management, Mentorship and Development:
Manage Digital Engagement Officer; define expectations, provide leadership and technical support as needed, and evaluate direct reports regularly.
Ensure the recruitment, training, and promotion of staff as appropriate and ensure availability of appropriate professional development opportunities for staff.
Other duties may be included, within reasonable limits, as agreed with your manager.
Specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for your role will be developed annually and reviewed regularly by you and your manager in conjunction with the fundraising plan and organisational needs of SC SA.
BEHAVIOR AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES (Save the Children values in Practice)
Accountability:
Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
Holds colleagues accountable to deliver on their responsibilities giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.
Ambition:
Future oriented, thinks strategically and on a global scale.
Focused on achieving external impact for the campaign.
Collaboration:
Clear ability to understand other people’s perspective and address reasonable concerns and needs.
Builds and maintains effective relationships with colleagues, members, and external partners.
Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.
Values diversity sees it as a source of competitive strength.
Creativity:
Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions.
Willing to take disciplined risks.
Take initiatives that are beneficial to the organisation.
Integrity:
Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity.
QUALIFICATIONS
At least a bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications or similar.
A minimum of five years of brand development internal and external communication experience with proven track record within the NGO sector.
EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
A Communications generalist with proven track record in developing and delivering brand and communications strategies which result in increased awareness amongst target audiences.
Excellent experience of software packages such as Excel, PowerPoint, and Word. As well as the use of publishing software.
Proven photography and videography ability.
Excellent command of oral and written English and the ability to edit for a wide range of language abilities, particularly for children.
Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills, including public speaking and media liaison.
Strong business acumen and the ability to develop, communicate and implement brand, fundraising and communication strategies.
Experience of development and execution of media relations to support the brand strategy.
Ability to create and maintain relationships with the media.
Experience in managing a website and social media platforms.
Experience developing and delivering campaigns.
A full appreciation of the value of co-operation, both internationally and within a team environment.
Ability to manage a complex and diverse workload and to work to tight deadlines.
Willingness and ability to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming surge teams, in the event of emergencies.
Experience in Graphic design.
Experience in Advocacy campaigning.
APPLICATION INFORMATION
Interested parties should submit their CV with a 1-page cover letter. Closing date for applications is the: 15th June 2021.
All applications should be submitted by email to: [email protected]
Please ensure that the subject line states: Head of Communications (HC01) Application
Should you not hear from us after two weeks from the closing date consider your application unsuccessful.