Communication Manager - Plan International

Job title: Communication Manager

Employment type: Full time
Country: Uganda
Job category: Public Relations
Min. years of experience: 5 years
Minimum degree: Masters degree
Closing date: May 13, 2013 - 5pm
<strong>Reports to:</strong> Country Director
Purpose: How does this post support Plan’s strategy and mission?
Working in 50 developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas, Plan aims to reach as many children as possible, particularly those who are excluded or marginalized with high quality programs that deliver long lasting benefits.
The Communication Manager Communication provides strategic and technical leadership to Plan’s communication work in Uganda. S/he ensures that Country communication activities support Plan Uganda Country Strategic Plan, regional and global communication priorities and campaigns and effectively support Plan’s program goals. S/he represents Plan Uganda in Plan RESA Regional Communication Network.
<strong>Dimensions of Role:</strong>
• A member of the Country Office Management Team and the Regional Network for Communication and Media work.
• Provides leadership and supervision to Plan’s Country communication team and fosters integration of program and communication activities
• Facilitates the development of strong internal and external linkages with communication staff and media outlets in Uganda.
• Advises on and manages risks related to Plan’s communication and media work in Uganda.
• Develops and oversees execution of Plan Uganda communication budget
<strong>Typical Responsibilities -</strong> Key End Results of Position: What” is done and “why”, but not “how”; include indicators for success
1- Strategic planning and delivery
A relevant and up-to-date Plan Uganda Communication Strategy is developed, delivered and monitored taking into account global and emerging Country programs and campaign priorities.
• Plan Uganda’s communication strategy adds value to country operations, regional and global program, advocacy, campaign, fundraising, and PR plans and initiatives. It’s implementation is monitored and progress adequately documented and shared.
• Plan Uganda should have sound communication plan in place that help to efficiently profile child centered community development and Plan’s program priorities
• Plan’s global campaigns have quality communication plans in place that support campaign goals and results
Membership of Regional Communication Network and orientation of senior staff on communication matters
Represent Plan Uganda on a regional internal network for communication staff and ensure that Plan Uganda senior management and technical advisers are oriented on communication and media matters to enhance Plan Uganda ‘s capacity to deliver high quality communication and media work
Indicators will include:
• Active participation in a regional internal technical network for communication staff by attending regular meetings and efficiently sharing of information and knowledge
• Contribute regularly high quality information and stories about Plan Uganda on the Plan RESA PlaNet/Intranet
• Country technical staff are being kept up to date with newest developments from the communication sector and knowledge and information from other organizations is being efficiently shared to promote best practice
• There is a close collaboration between communication and program team to ensure quality media reporting around our work
• There is a fruitful collaboration between Plan Uganda Communications teams and communicators from Plan RESA RO, RESA COs, NOs, IH.
3- Enhancing Organizational visibility and profile
Plan Uganda is known for the quality and reach of its child centered community development programs within Uganda and beyond as well as inside the organization.
Indicators will include:
External:
• Country, regional, and international media report positively and regularly about Plan’s work in Uganda
• Plan Uganda’s Website is regularly updated with high quality articles
• Plan Uganda uses social media effectively to engage the public in its work and program &amp; campaign goals.
• Plan Uganda has regularly updated off the shelf material and publications that are being used to inform partners and media about our program work
• Plan’s global and regional reports/publications (such as BIAAG) are shared and disseminated.
3- Ensuring internal communication and information
Plan Uganda staff feels well connected to the global organization, its vision, mission and objectives
Indicators will include:
• Global and regional accolades and award initiatives are professionally supported and help profile Plan Uganda as a major contributor to Plan’s global winning team
• Plan Uganda’s internal communication efforts result in increased reporting about our work on RESA, IH, and NO websites and efficiently support fundraising efforts Plan Uganda programmes
• Plan staff in Uganda feel connected to the organization through efficient management of the Team Briefing process and other internal communication measures
4- Compliance with global standards
Plan’s Global Identity and communication guidelines are consistently applied and respected
• Plan Uganda staff have been adequately trained on Plan’s global identity guidelines and apply it consistently
Dealing with Problems:
Complexity of problems handled &amp; the degree of investigation, analysis, &amp; creative thinking required to solve them
Communication Manager is a pivotal position that has to deal with diverse demands and pressure from different parts of the organization to often tight deadlines: Regional Office, National Office and IH’s communication needs need to be satisfied with a small team. The ability to prioritize and maintain focus while still demonstrating high levels of customer orientation are thus key for Plan Uganda Communication Manager.
<strong>Communications and Working Relationships:</strong>
Working contacts inside and outside the organization; include the purpose and level (high, medium, low) of the contact
Knowledge
• In-depth knowledge of current communications issues and trends, particularly in the humanitarian sector (Masters in communication, public relations desired)
• Good knowledge of how the media and journalists work nationally
• Demonstrated experience of working as a communication manager
• Proven experience to develop and implement communication and media advocacy strategies
• Good understanding of child rights and development
<strong>Skills</strong>
• Exceptional conceptual and strategic thinking skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to build relationships with colleagues in different departments
• Fluency in English and very good working knowledge of local languages spoken in Uganda
• Excellent Written and oral communication skills, including presentation and public speaking;
• Ability to prioritize and multitask
<strong>Behaviors</strong>
<strong>Performance:</strong>
• Creates strong sense of purpose within own part of the business and with stakeholders
• Holds self and others to account to deliver on agreed goals and standards of behaviour
<strong>Strategic thinking and delivery</strong>
• Sees contribution of own part of the organisation in wider Plan and external context
• Balances future vision with practical delivery
<strong>Influencing</strong>
• effectively reaches out and influence large groups of people
<strong>Learning</strong>
• Supports learning and sharing and knowledge management
<strong>Self Awareness</strong>
• Humble and service oriented
• Aware of different levels of capacity and respectful and supportive of local knowledge
<strong>Physical Environment and Demands:</strong>
May be “typical office environment”; note if heavy lifting, climbing, excess travel, etc.
Frequent traveling within the country
Level of Contact with Children:
Min contact: Occasional direct interaction with children
Contact/How to apply:
Interested candidates should send their detailed CV and cover letter to application@ppg.co.ug