Communications & Media Coordinator

The Organisation

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it’s girls who are most affected.

Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.

We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

ROLE PROFILE

role PURPOSE

[A concise statement, capturing the primary reasons that this role exists and a clear articulation of the context of the role. How will this role contribute to creating lasting change for children?]

Plan International Ghana is presently implementing a number of programmes aimed at improving the lives of children and youths, especially girls, across the regions of Ghana. The role of the Communication and Media Coordinator is critical to ensure the visibility of the actions and impact of Plan International Ghana’s work, the role will also support behavior change and community engagement actions.  

Dimensions of the Role

[This section provides a summary of the size and authority of the post. It covers the size of the budget held, the numbers of direct reports, other key stakeholders who may depend on it, the type of communication required, the external representation involved and the reach of the role.]

Financial measures or statistics relevant to post such as budget; list of direct and indirect reports

Reporting to the Communication Specialist, the Communication & Media Coordinator will be responsible for the implementation of Communication, Information and Media related activities within Programme Impact and Influencing Areas. She/he will be responsible for the internal, external, and social media communications implemented in these areas. S/he will work in close collaboration with Project Managers, Project Teams and implementation partners to ensure close supervision, follow up and reporting of response activities through diversified communication tools and outlets. The Communication and Media Coordinator’s responsibilities will be to maximise positive media coverage and fundraising opportunities and support accountability to key stakeholders as well as development work, in the Programme Area. S/he shall also supervise the quality production of Information Education and Communication materials, and the quality branding of all realizations and activities.

Accountabilities

[This section is critical for clarifying expectations of the role, providing the framework for its relationship with colleagues and providing areas of accountability against which performance can be managed.

This should include a series of brief statements that define the end results required. e.g. drive, contribute, identify, manage, responsible for, advise/coach, build, develop, provide, conduct, oversee, establish, participate etc.

Statements should ideally be worded so that they will lead to thoughts of measurement.  For example, it is better to state something like "achieve maintenance standards" than "undertake maintenance".  The former leads to a measure against the maintenance standards.]

“What” is done and “why”, but not “how”; include indicators for success

External Liaison and Communications

• Develop and amend as necessary a Communication Plan for Plan International’s programme in the Programme Area.
• Develop and maintain excellent relationships with frontline national and international media (journalists}, Communications staff and representatives of other NGOs, government institutions, UN Agencies, etc.
• Act as the main point of contact for media and respond to requests for information from journalists, NOs, and donors, including arranging interviews and field visits.
• Prepare, distribute and log press releases.
• Conduct regular field visits to interview staff and beneficiaries, write human interest stories and coordinate photos and video sessions.
• Ensure appropriate capturing and documentation of projects’ successes and challenges via fact sheets, case studies, stories, testimonies, quality pictures and videos, media products, articles, etc
• Identify frontline media outlets and suggest initiatives to promote the activities and impact of Plan International’s work in the Programme Area.
• Support key actions of the organization aimed at influencing the decision that favors the wellbeing of children and youths.
   
  Internal Liaison and Communications
• Share a steady flow of information (social media updates, human interest stories, talking points and Q & As, etc.) with the Communication Specialist for internal and external dissemination as per Plan International’s communications guide.
• Coordinate the preparation of Situation Reports (SitRep) to update on the status of Plan International’s crisis response activities;
   
• Develop engaging massages to communicate key policies and values of Plan International to staff.
• Monitor print and electronic media for mentions of Plan International and other topics of interest to the organisation, and inform the Communication Specialist of anything important.
• Identify and create talking points/Q & As for potentially sensitive issues and inform the Country Director.
   
  Visibility and Branding
• Ensure the correct use of Plan International’s identity and that or partners and donors, in respect to existing Brand Manuals.
• Ensure the quality production of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials.
• Ensure the quality branding of constructions and other realisations of Plan International, with the identity of Plan International and that of partners, where applicable.
• Ensure that staff are branded during field visits and external meetings.
   
   
  Training
• Support the Communications Specialist in communication and media coaching/ training to designated spokespeople and staff.
• Train media professionals and partners on safeguarding principles and the quality engagement of the media in fighting for children’s rights. 
• Offer immediate media coaching for those about to do a media interview.
   
  Media Monitoring and Evaluation
• Work with Communication Specialist and external media service providers to produce quality audio-visual material (documentaries, spots, etc).
• Compile a log of media calls organised within the response programme
• Work with Communication specialist to monitor media and compile national/international media coverage.
• Produce a ‘lessons learned’ document and make recommendations for future operations.
• Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully understood and respected by the media professionals, partners and staff, during all communication activities.
   
   

Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

Key relationships

[This section refers to people inside and/or outside of the organisation that the post-holder needs to have contact with, and why. This should include virtual presence.]

• There is a medium contact with Plan partners working on sponsorship programs in reviewing sponsorship documents to ensure they meet the Sponsorship Book controls in place
• Maintains medium contact with staff in country and program unit offices in the soliciting their support for the implementation and compliance with sponsorship program activities
  informing, influencing, or reasoning.

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

[This section details the skills, knowledge and expertise the postholder will be required to demonstrate in doing the job well.

This should include clear levels of technical expertise and skills that support our work at national, international, and global level.]

Essential

Gained through education, training, & experience

Essential

People Skills: Ability to work independently and as a team player who demonstrates leadership and can support and train local and international staff and also able to work with disaster-affected communities in a sensitive and participatory manner.

Communication Skills: Well developed written and oral communication skills. Able to communicate clearly and sensitively with internal and external stakeholders as a representative of Plan International. This includes effective negotiation and representation skills.

Integrity: Works with trustworthiness and integrity and has a clear commitment to Plan International’s values and humanitarian principles.

Resilience/Adaptability and flexibility: Ability to operate effectively under extreme circumstances, including stress, high-security risks and harsh living conditions. Works and lives in a flexible, adaptable and resilient manner.

Awareness and sensitivity of self and others: Demonstrates knowledge and sensitivity to gender and diversity. Have experience and the ability to live and work in diverse cultural contexts in a culturally appropriate manner.

Work style: Is well planned and organised even within a fluid working environment and has a capacity for initiative and decision making with competent analytical and problem-solving skills.

Knowledge and skills: knowledge of the Core Humanitarian Standards, knowledge on; general finance, administration, information management/ telecommunication skills and proficiency in information technology/ computer skills.

Multiple language skills desirable

•  Qualification and Technical Competencies University Degree in Journalism, Communication or equivalent experience
• At least 3 – 5 years of experience working in journalism, communications, media, or Public Relations
• Strong understanding of print, radio, television and online media
• Good photography and filming skills;
• Additional technical skills are desirable, including proficiency in Adobe Photoshop or photo-editing software and movie-editing software such as Adobe Premier
• Fluent written and spoken English
• A minimum of 1 year of experience working with or in collaboration with an NGO or UN agency, or equivalent, is preferred.
• Experience as a spokesperson
• Ability to work independently and as a team player.
• Ability to operate effectively in stressful situations, including working overtime.
• Gender awareness and cultural sensitivity.
• Good time management and problem-solving skills.
• Works with trustworthiness and integrity and has a clear commitment to Plan International's values and principles;
   

Plan International’s Values in Practice

We are open and accountable

1. Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.

2. Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.

3. Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.

4. Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.

5. Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people

We strive for lasting impact

1. Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.

2. Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.

3. Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.

4. Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together

1. Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.

2. Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.

3. Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.

4. Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering

1. We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential

2. We respect all people, appreciate differences and challenge equality in our programs and our workplace

3. We support children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and to change their own lives.

Physical Environment

May be “typical office environment”; note if heavy lifting, climbing, excess travel, etc.

Travel requirements

This position requires about 20% travel to communities in Program Impact and Influencing Area

Level of Contact with Children:

Mid contact:     Occasional interaction with children

The job responsibilities of this position do not require the post holder to have high level contact with children on a daily basis. There would be occasional contact with children and it is expected that children shall be protected at all times.

Location: Country Office -Accra

Type of Role: Communications

Reports to: Communications Specialist

Grade: C2

Closing Date: 28th July 2021

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for.

We want Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Plan International is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

We foster an organisational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International's Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme we will request information from applicants previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.