The Initiative for Strategic Litigation in Africa (“ISLA”) is based on the belief that strategic litigation is an immensely strong tool for social change because it helps to reframe the understanding of entitlements before the law and it challenges the legal discourse on women’s rights and sexual rights. ISLA seeks to use the rule of law and African domestic and regional courts to advance women’s human rights and sexual rights. It is the first Africa-based strategic litigation initiative with a regional focus and expertise on women’s human rights and sexual rights. This is achieved by building networks across the continent that work in strategic litigation.
ISLA seeks to appoint a dynamic and experienced Communications Manager to be based in Johannesburg.
Reporting line
Reports to: Executive Director.
Remuneration: This position offers a competitive salary, up to (R600 000) per annum, (total cost to company, and commensurate with experience)
The purpose of this position is to lead the design and implementation of comprehensive communications plans around ISLA’s litigation, capacity strengthening, partnerships and knowledge production work. The role requires a sophisticated understanding of strategic litigation, gender, sexuality, human rights and the African Human Rights Systems in particular. It also requires a deep understanding of the media, including social-media, top-notch writing, editing skills, and experience in using communications to support human rights advocacy.
Responsibilities :
Communication (70%):
Develop and implement a communication strategy for ISLA’s programmatic work including advocacy campaigns to support litigation.
Develop effective messaging to ensure that the ISLA strategy and outcomes of its research and strategic litigation is communicated timeously in the most appropriate manner to all the identified stakeholders and audiences
Coordinate and write editorial pieces, press releases, annual reports and public interest stories about ISLA’s work
Ensure that effective feedback mechanisms exist and that the feedback is used in developing and managing communications
Website and Social Media (20%)
Develop and implement a communication strategy for ISLA’s programmatic work including advocacy campaigns to support litigation.
Develop effective messaging to ensure that the ISLA strategy and outcomes of its research and strategic litigation is communicated timeously in the most appropriate manner to all the identified stakeholders and audiences
Coordinate and write editorial pieces, press releases, annual reports and public interest stories about ISLA’s work
Ensure that effective feedback mechanisms exist and that the feedback is used in developing and managing communications
Print Media (10%)
Monitoring news media for opportunities to publicise ISLA’s experts, policy proposals, and research; developing and executing press strategies for such opportunities quickly and in coordination with experts and other staff.
Cultivating relationships with reporters, editors, bookers, producers, columnists, op-ed page editors, and editorial writers in countries where ISLA has a presence.
Conduct media trainings, both formal workshops and informal feedback, for ISLA staff and our partners.
Developing and expanding ISLA’s contacts database of stakeholders, including law societies, human rights organisations particularly women’s and LGBTI groups and reporters and editors.
Required:
Education:
Legal background coupled with a journalism qualification or vice versa
Experience:
Minimum of 5 years of journalism experience in reporting on legal matters.
Proven experience in developing and executing communication strategies for campaigns or projects with multiple stakeholders inside and outside the organisation.
Experience in building relationship with journalists to enable breaking news stories to be published accurately and timeously.
Demonstrated competence in working with human rights organisation.
Knowledge:
Knowledge of journalism / publications (print/online, broadcast, podcast) within the African continent.
Knowledge of litigation and how courts operate within the various regions of the African continent.
Knowledge of constitutional, regional and international human rights law and instruments and institutions
Skills:
Excellent writing and editing skills.
Keen analytical ability.
Attitude:
Highest standards of excellence and integrity at all times and to all persons,
A courteous, professional and cooperative attitude.
Meticulous attention to detail.
Self-driven, resourceful person who is able to manage and coordinate teamwork well.
Ability to work constructively and professionally across multiple issue areas and under deadline pressure.
Other Essentials Specific to the Job
Able and willing to travel occasionally within and out of South Africa.
Commitment to the overall aims and values of ISLA, feminism and Pan Africanism
Expectation of occasional work outside regular weekday hours, as required to do the job.
Preference will be given to qualifying women applicants
To apply please refer to this link: http://www.the-isla.org/job/communications-manager/
For more about the Initiative for Strategic Litigation in Africa, refer to www.the-isla.org