Regional Ocean Communications Officer

JOB DESCRIPTION
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategy and Planning:

• Lead the development and implementation of the IUCN Great Blue Wall Communications and Outreach Strategy in collaboration with COR team members, regional communications lead, and thematic leads.
• Manage communications strategies, products, and creative campaigns, particularly for the IslandPlas project, across various island areas in Eastern and Western Africa.

Content Development and Management:

• Oversee the creation and distribution of a wide array of communication materials, including advertisements, videos, brochures, press releases, slide decks, and letters.
• Develop and edit internal and external communication materials, such as blog posts, media materials, newsletters, op-eds, website content, and other related products.
• Ideate and support the design and promotion of interactive media pieces, including infographics, slideshows, charts, and videos.

Digital Engagement and Media Relations:

• Enhance digital presence through web-based platforms, social media channels like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
• Develop and maintain key media contacts and coordinate media outreach, including pitching, handling requests, and monitoring news coverage.
• Plan and manage events like publication launches, round-table discussions, and meetings.

Outreach and Advocacy:

• Co-develop and implement outreach strategies for the Great Blue Wall initiative and the IslandPlas project.
• Build and maintain relationships with communications and public relations contacts across various sectors to improve the COR program's image and open new opportunities.
• Spearhead the development of platforms and dashboards for showcasing progress towards the targets of the Great Blue Wall and IslandPlas project.
• Spearhead and oversee the development of web-based platforms and dashboards for showcasing progress towards achievement of the targets of the Great Blue Wall, the IslandPlas project and alignment with targets of global frameworks such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, and Sustainable Development Goal 14.

Internal Communications and Support:

• Facilitate effective internal communication within the COR Programme and IUCN ESARO.
• Provide strategic communications feedback to advance projects' impacts and participate in regional and country teams planning to integrate communications priorities.
• Support the team in developing effective communication tools and managing strategies for reports, events, conferences, and news opportunities.

Administration and Coordination:

• Provide general administrative support, including scheduling, event logistics, and maintaining the regional oceans’ constituency stakeholders contact database.
• Monitor and support the publications process, liaising with the IUCN Editorial Board for advice and publication clearance.
• Other duties as may be assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

Position requirements:

Education;

• A degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field combined with an experience in similar organization/s or programmatic setting;
• Computer literacy in relation to office applications (word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint) use of internet and online communication and knowledge management tools.

Work Experience;

We’re looking for an outstanding, hands-on, highly motivated, autonomous, innovative, solution oriented, results driven and resourceful individual with at least seven years of proven experience in:

• Communications, public relations, or journalism, ideally in an international, multicultural context or prior work in a global organization preferred.
• Strategic and innovative thinking with strong leadership skills.
• Excellent organizational, project management, and collaborative abilities.
• Creative problem-solving approach with a commitment to IUCN's mission and values.
• Social media management and how to use it to impact diverse audiences.
• Working with reporters or members of the media and established media contacts.
• Communicating effectively with government officials, private sector and civil society in the African continent or the western Indian Ocean Region.
• Interest in coastal and ocean management, marine conservation and restoration, ocean, and blue economy entrepreneurship development in the western Indian Ocean Region.
• Articulate, versatile, highly skilled writer with professional writing experience with demonstratable professional clips or writing samples.
• Social media savvy with the ability to properly utilize each channel for the best impact to varied targeted audiences.
• Ability to work effectively within a tight deadline in a fast-paced office environment, both independently and as part of a regional team.
• Excellent inter-personal communication skills, including the ability to encourage collaboration with other programs, regional and country offices, global headquarters, and partners.
• Ability to think creatively and collaboratively about all elements of communications work.
• Excellent inter-personal communication skills, including the ability to encourage collaboration with other regional programs, international offices, and partners.
• Experience in working with a content management system (CMS).
• Visual skills and creativity in photography, graphic design, and adobe suite of applications.
• Adaptable to rapidly changing priorities and able to manage multiple deadlines and deliver high quality work products.

Language requirement;

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English is essential, with ability to communicate in French and/or Portuguese is an added advantage.

Core Competencies;

• Transparency: Able to build trust and contribute to informed and responsible decision making by carrying out the work of IUCN in a transparent manner; provides clear guidance to ensure that objectives and desired measurable results are understood by members of the team.
• Inclusiveness: Understands and accepts cultural diversity, and provide a tolerant, positive, and supportive working environment that fosters respect for diversity, demonstrates ability to work in a multicultural, multiethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds.
• Professionalism: Promote the organization’s interests, objectives, and values in a diligent and professional manner.
• Accountability: Takes responsibility for individual and collective actions, promotes the IUCN One Programme approach.

Functional competencies;

• Adheres to IUCN core values of Transparency, Inclusiveness, Professionalism and Accountability.
• Ability to develop and implement communications activities as well as communication products based on co-developed communication strategies.
• Ability to manage multiple communications channels (such as websites, social media, blogs, publications, media relations, and events), and ensuring responsive communications coordination among partners and stakeholders.
• Be willing to undertake frequent travel and interact with different stakeholders from diverse cultures