Outreach Manager (Communications)

Outreach Manager (Communications) Reference No 1342 Closing date 15 Jan-2014 Overview The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) is a nonprofit, global facility dedicated to advancing human well-being, environmental conservation and equity by conducting research to help shape effective policy, improve the management of tropical forests and address the needs and perspectives of people who depend on forests for their livelihoods. CIFOR is a member of the CGIAR Consortium. Our headquarters are in Bogor, Indonesia, with offices in Asia, Africa and Latin America. CIFOR is looking for an Outreach Manager The Outreach Manager will lead implementation of a well-funded and far-reaching communication program to raise awareness of CIFOR’s research in the forestry sector worldwide. Leading a global team of about 15 staff, consultants and interns, the Manager will be responsible for creating uptake pathways for research findings with the goal of maximizing outcomes and impact for specific research projects. Target stakeholders include government officials, the private sector, civil society, donors, media and the research community. The Manager will also be responsible for enhancing the Center’s reputation as a leading international research organization. The ideal candidate would have a passion for science communications, with strong experience leading high-caliber, multicultural teams of communication and knowledge-sharing professionals. He/she would be a strong writer and take pleasure in taking complex research findings and making them understandable and accessible for a broad audience, especially policy makers. Duties and responsibilities • Lead implementation of media and outreach strategies to build CIFOR’s reputation and maximize the policy and development impact of its research; • Coordinate outreach activities in Latin America, Africa and Asia, including overseeing the tasks of Regional Communication Coordinators on these three continents, as well as other support staff and consultants; • Coordinate all communication activities related to conferences and workshops, including drafting event outreach strategies and taking the lead in implementation of key top-tier international conferences. This includes managing an event logistics team; • Draft and edit press releases, talking points, op-eds, blog stories, multimedia packages and corporate communication documents; • Oversee social media activities, especially related to CIFOR’s Forest News blog (blog.cifor.org), a virtual news service on forestry issues. Provide guidance to the Senior Writer, who is responsible for the day-to-day running of the blog. Education, Experience and Technical skills  Masters degree in communications or a related discipline.  Have at least 10 years of professional work experience in media/communications, preferably internationally. Have a strong understanding of how media works.  At least 5 years management experience of teams.  Be a strong and fast writer and editor with a flair for turning complex research findings into accessible content.  Have a proven strong understanding of social media.  Experience in planning, implementing and evaluating complex communication programs.  Experience in working for a research facility or within the development sector is an advantage.  Fluency in English is essential and other languages an asset. Personal Attributes and Competencies  Be self motivated, outgoing and welcome the opportunity to work with significant autonomy; enjoy multitasking;  Be able to strategize at both macro and micro levels;  Be a team player and have outstanding interpersonal communications skills;  Strong client service approach;  Proven ability to work well under pressure; have a sense of humor. Terms and conditions  This is an internationally recruited position. CIFOR offers attractive and internationally competitive compensation and benefits, commensurate with skills and experience.  The initial contract will be for 2 years with the possibility of extension contingent upon performance, continued relevance of this position, and available resources. The position will be based in Bogor, Indonesia. Duty station Bogor Country Indonesia

Communications Officer: REDD+, Governance and Locally Controlled Forests

Status:	Open (currently receiving applications)
Vacancy #:	716
Unit:	Global Forest and Climate Change Programme
Organization:	International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Location:	Headquarters, Gland, Switzerland
Reporting to:	Manager, Knowledge and Communications
Work percentage:	100%
Function group:	P1
Expected start date:	15 January 2014
Type of contract:	Fixed-term (36 months)
Closing date:	08 January 2014

BACKGROUND

LOCATION: This position will either be based in Gland, Switzerland or Washington DC, USA.


IUCN’s Global Forest and Climate Change Programme is seeking a motivated and creative communications professional to contribute to the delivery and uptake of targeted knowledge and communications for its thematic work on REDD+ and Locally Controlled Forests.

The Communications Officer will work with programme and project colleagues to identify and facilitate effective and efficient pipelines and pathways for transforming lessons, findings and analysis from the programme into desired impact upon policy and practice through targeted audiences. Experience with impact-driven knowledge and communications approaches is essential, as is wide-ranging experience in writing and editing. Technical knowledge of issues related to natural resources management or policy or a related field is a definite asset.

 
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Overall responsibility

Under the supervision of the Manager, Knowledge and Communications, and in collaboration with programme and project staff the Communications Officer will develop and execute communications and outreach strategies to raise awareness of IUCN’s project and programmatic work on REDD+ and LCF. Key responsibilities include executing a communications and outreach strategy, ensuring consistency in all communications, producing marketing materials (brochures, presentations, newsletters, social media, etc.), event planning and promotion, desktop publishing, media engagement, and maintaining alignment with IUCN’s overall global communications strategy.

More specifically the Communications Officer will:
• Build clear and consistent programmatic messaging on REDD+ and LCF, based on identified synergies across projects and other programme activities, and improve integration across platforms and media channels
• With programme and project staff, develop and execute communications plans that contribute to learning frameworks and knowledge uptake plans:
o For the programmatic themes of REDD+ and LCF
o For GFCCP projects and initiatives that fall under the themes of REDD+ and LCF
• In collaboration with the Knowledge and Learning Officer, monitor project and national reporting on an ongoing basis to identify key stories and knowledge outputs and results, building the programmatic messaging on REDD+ and LCF.
• Manage the production and dissemination of high quality and evidence-led communications and marketing materials in a variety of formats.
• Create compelling and persuasive slideshows and other presentation materials.
• Draft press releases and media advisories and contribute to the writing of other program materials.
• Engage key audiences through online and social media, which may include Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Flickr.
• Maintain the REDD+ and LCF sub-sites of the IUCN web pages and act as the IUCN focal point for any external REDD+ and LCF related programme websites.
• Monitor and report on media placements, website analytics and other communications impact metrics.
• Organize media events.
• Provide substantive backstopping to meetings, to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, facilitation of meetings.
• Liaise with national and regional teams to understand capacity needs and requirements in relation to the above.
• Contribute to broader IUCN communications and media engagement on REDD+ and LCF.
• In consultation with the GFCCP Manager of Knowledge and Communications, maintain relationships with communications staff of other international and regional organizations working on relevant REDD+ and LCF issues, particularly those that are crucial to project and programme delivery because of partnership commitments.
• Carry out other communications duties as needed.

REQUIREMENTS

• A minimum of 3 years of previous experience in communications, marketing, public relations, or journalism, with evidence of strong writing and editing skills across a range of styles and issues; and experience working within IUCN or a similar organization is an asset.

• University degree or equivalent in communications, international development, natural resources management, social sciences or other relevant field

• Further qualifications in communications and/or journalism an asset

• Knowledge and practical experience of approaches for effective communications

• Ability to rapidly research, analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources

• Ability to present complex information in a clear and effective manner and to tailor communications to target audiences

• Demonstrated capacity to work well under pressure and successfully manage multiple deadlines and competing demands

• Relevant IT skills, including desktop publishing and other communications applications

• Experience building and managing websites and learning platforms

• Experience in working with social media, video, ICT and/or other outreach approaches and tools

• Experience in working with video is an advantage

• Fluency in written and spoken English is essential. Knowledge of a second language is an advantage (Most relevant are Spanish and French, the other official languages of IUCN; and the languages ENPI FLEG + Russia countries).

• Ability to travel occasionally if needed would be desirable, but not essential.  

APPLICATIONS

Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the "Apply" button.

Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST).

Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: http://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/https://hrms.iucn.org/iresy/index.cfm?event=vac.show&vacId=716

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