Communications Specialist

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The Department of External Relations and Partnerships is responsible for the planning, coordination, and implementation of IDLO’s external relations agenda, communications and partnerships building through strategies and activities to promote, protect and enhance IDLO’s mission and brand.

The Department actively promotes and advocates for IDLO’s strategic priorities with governments, the United Nations system, other intergovernmental organizations, civil society, the private sector, philanthropic organizations, academia, and other potential partners at national, regional, and international levels.It collaborates with all entities within IDLO to promote the Organization’s policy advocacy priorities. It supports IDLO’s program and program development teams and country offices to ensure that communications, partnership engagements, resource mobilization and other outreach activities are coherent and integrated in IDLO’s activities around the world. It builds and maintains innovative and productive partnerships, ensures best practices in communication and resource mobilization, and supports the governance mechanisms of the Organization.

The Communications Specialist will be part of the Communications unit headed by the Chief of Communications within the department.

Under the supervision of the Chief of Communications, and working in close collaboration with the other team members on communication strategies, content, and publications the Communications Specialist will play an important and significant role in the Communications team and will be in charge of the following main responsibilities.

THE POSITION

1.Manage communication and stakeholder engagement strategies:

• Identify opportunities to enhance IDLO’s external visibility and shape its positioning; design strategies and campaigns aligned with institutional and program priorities; and manage implementation leveraging the most effective channels, such as the IDLO website, digital mailings, events and traditional media.
• Advise and guide IDLO offices and teams on communication matters to help them showcase program impact among target audiences, and to ensure alignment with IDLO’s strategic priorities.
• Advise IDLO offices and teams on stakeholder mapping, outreach, engagement and management in line with IDLO’s strategic priorities.
• Support and coordinate risk management and crisis scenario planning.

 2.Manage editorial content:

• Act as the editorial content lead for the Communications Unit, identifying and prioritizing content opportunities, overseeing and editing all content outputs, implementing a revised editorial process to ensure a regular flow of content, and developing internal tools to plan monthly content themes and map out expected content outputs by geographic and thematic area.
• Generate and edit written content that successfully positions IDLO and communicates the value and impact of IDLO’s work to key stakeholders, for instance through news articles, feature stories, impact storytelling and information materials.
• Build content on the website and in mailings, and format page layout and graphic elements in the content management system (Drupal) and on the mailing platform (Mailchimp).

 3.Manage Publications:

• Manage and coordinate the finalization process of knowledge products, including editorial matters, design and dissemination, and provide guidance to Program teams.
• Lead and manage the full editorial process to develop IDLO’s Annual Report, from conceptualization to drafting, editing, clearance, design, printing and dissemination.

 4.Manage database and mailing lists:

• Develop and manage processes and tools for the CIVI mailing list, train IDLO employees and oversee maintenance and use.

 5.Build structural and individual communication capacity:

• Develop and oversee processes, tools and guidelines to enhance success of communication activities, ensure coordination and facilitate activities of program teams and field offices.
• Develop key learning tools, guidelines and resources to strengthen the communication capacity of IDLO employees, and plan and lead communication workshops, including in the field.
• Monitor communication best practice and lessons learned, evaluate the effectiveness of IDLO’s activities and determine approaches for improvement.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

Education and Work Experience

• An advanced university degree in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, International Relations or related field required.
• Minimum7 years of experience in communications, in publishing or media outlet, at an international public service organization and /or international non-governmental organization.
• Excellent written, verbal and visual communications experience, preferably within an international rule of law organization.
• Strong hands-on experience in external and/or internal communication in a large organization.
• Strong aptitude and understanding of the communication aspects of stakeholder engagement (internal and external audiences).
• Proven experience writing and editing materials, content, developing communications plans.
• Experience managing organizational social media / networking accounts. 

Languages

• Excellent proficiency of spoken and written English is required. Additional language/s would be highly desirable.
• Specific knowledge, skills and behavioral competencies.
• Experience driving impactful storytelling strategy. 
• Sound media relations background and experience working with the press. 
• Experience working as part of a partner or client-facing communications team. 
• Strong skills working in diverse / multicultural teams and across numerous types of organizations. 
• Team-oriented; problem-solver; relationship-builder; and robust inter-personal skills. 
• Able to multitask in a fast-paced, often rapidly changing environment. 
• Proficiency in Adobe Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, Drupal, CiviCRM or other database/CRM tools.
• Proven creative energy, and a respected team player. 
• Capable of working under pressure and handling stress. 
• Keen sense of ethics, integrity, and commitment to IDLO's values and mandate.
• Able and willing to travel to field operations, including in post-conflict countries.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

For this internationally professional recruited position, IDLO shall offer the selected candidate an international Affiliate Contract of 24 months, with possibility of extension subject to performance and availability of funding.

IDLO shall also offer a yearly basic salary of EUR 58,000 and a benefits package including provident fund contribution, medical insurance, and leave entitlements in accordance with the IDLO Employee Regulations and Rules. Relocation and installation support are also available for internationally recruited employees.

Salaries and benefits paid by IDLO to employees are exempt from taxation in Italy. IDLO employees are responsible for compliance with income tax laws of their country of nationality or residence and/or of any other relevant fiscal jurisdiction.

DISCLAIMER 

IDLO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in all areas of its operations. We welcome and encourage diverse applications.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the Contractor assigned to this work. This may not be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities.

The Director-General of IDLO reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities or even to cancel the recruitment to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.