Job Description
I. Position Summary
The Communications Manager, Africa and Latin America will develop and execute a communications strategy to advance Malala Fund’s work in Brazil and programme countries in Africa. This position will work to raise awareness of Malala Fund’s work to progress girls’ education in these regions. They will be the lead on grantee communications requests, working closely with the Advocacy and Programmes teams. The Communications Manager, Africa and Latin America will also work on regional media relations, communications and media training for grantees within the Education Champion Network and Malala Fund Girl Programme and advise on communications strategy for national advocacy initiatives and campaigns.
The ideal candidate is an excellent communicator and writer, highly organised and has experience developing communications strategies and working with media in a variety of contexts.
II. Responsibilities
Strategic leadership and management
- Lead on all public engagement opportunities for grantees in the Education Champion Network and Malala Fund Girl Programme; track and evaluate engagement opportunities; lead on speaker preparation, coordinate with Education Champion Network Manager and the In-Country Representatives on logistics.
- Provide communications strategy and guidance to the Advocacy team and In-country Representatives on global and national campaigns, in line with advocacy goals; advise Education Champions in Brazil and the Africa region on all aspects of their campaign development including traditional media, social media, digital initiatives, speaking opportunities, developing partnerships and risk mitigation.
- Lead the Communications and Development teams in adapting technical reports, personal stories and data on Champions’ work for a range of audiences including grassroots supporters, high net-worth donors and corporate partners.
- Facilitate and lead coordination between In-country Representatives in Brazil and the Africa region, Champions and communications staff on all communications requests.
- Act as the primary communications contact for Education Champions in Brazil and the Africa region and In-country Representatives (ICRs), fielding general media requests, consulting on communications-related questions and identifying opportunities to elevate the collective work of Education Champions across Brazil and the Africa region.
Grantee Communications Support and Engagement
- Work one-on-one with education activists to develop individualised communications work plans, including skills assessment, media training and developing social media and digital presence; liaising regularly with communications staff at grantee organisations.
- Co-create talking points, speeches, opinion editorials and other communications products alongside grantees for Malala Fund related public engagements.
- Provide logistics, staffing support and media training to grantees for interviews, speaking engagements and other appearances.
- Coordinate with Malala Fund’s communications team to secure external content — photos, stories, quotes — from grantees that will showcase impact to donors, partners and the general public.
- Write and edit press releases, interviews and features about regional advocacy, programmes and other related updates for Malala Fund Newsroom.
- Advise Development team on Champion-focused grant applications, including writing and editing copy, collecting additional information and sourcing impact data.
Public Relations
- Build and maintain relationships with journalists in Brazil, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Tanzania and other target countries to pitch Malala Fund’s work.
- Prepare and review op-eds, press releases, media statements and other media outputs; help secure coverage for national programmes and advocacy campaigns.
- Pitch and land coverage of grantees in their national or regional media to strengthen regional recognition for the Education Champion Network and national advocacy objectives.
- Research new markets for regional and international press coverage.
People Management
- Actively contributes to making Malala Fund a diverse and equitable workplace through inclusive practices and openness to different perspectives, cultures and ideas.
- Actively builds and maintains systems that allow for the growth and development of all direct reports.
- Welcomes and inducts new team members into Malala Fund, and facilitate collaboration across and within your team.
- Co-creates clear objectives and development plans for direct reports, and engages in regular and constructive performance conversations.
- Shares key messages and relevant information with direct reports, and seeks out, addresses and/or escalates feedback as appropriate.
- Ensures all team members understand and comply with Malala Fund policies, procedures and resources.
Organisational Culture
- Upholds the values of Malala Fund.
- Actively contributes to making Malala Fund a diverse and equitable workplace through inclusive practice and openness to different perspectives, cultures and ideas.
- Maintains behaviour and conduct that uphold the highest standards for safeguarding, professionally and personally.
- Acts as a role model for a ‘learning organisation’ culture by seeking insight and using problems as opportunities to learn.
III. Knowledge, Experience and Behaviours
Essential
- Strong editorial and creative copywriting skills; experience writing speeches, press releases and talking points.
- Demonstrated leadership and management skills, with ability to lead multiple cross-team projects simultaneously.
- Demonstrated success in pitching stories to journalists and non-U.S., U.K. media outlets.
- Solid judgement and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail, accuracy and quality.
- A creative, open and innovative mind energetically searching for new solutions.
- Awareness of global and regional issues and sensitivities, especially in regions where Malala Fund works.
- Work experience in communications, public relations, working with globally dispersed organisations and stakeholders.
- Experience developing communications strategies and effective storylines.
- Experience working with national and regional media in at least one of Malala Fund’s programme countries specifically Brazil, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Tanzania.
- Strong commitment to Malala Fund’s mission, purpose and values.
- Strong commitment to gender equality, anti-racism, anti-discrimination, decolonisation and social justice.
- Strong commitment to professional development and continued learning.
- Excellent team player with ability to work independently and in collaboration with colleagues at all levels across departments and external stakeholders.
Desirable
- An understanding of the communications landscape, ability to bring fresh ideas and perspective to the team.
- Networking skills - ability to develop and maintain build relationships with network of journalists, communications consultants and media agencies.
- Working knowledge of any language(s) relevant to Malala Fund’s work.
Malala Fund is committed to racial equity and social justice. We actively seek applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences and identities, to provide a wide range of perspectives, ideas, views and insights into the strategy, policies, culture and ambitions of Malala Fund. We would particularly welcome applications from candidates who have lived in countries in which Malala Fund is operating.
IV. About Malala Fund
Registered as a public charity in the U.K. and U.S., Malala Fund is working toward a world where all girls can learn and lead. With more than 130 million girls out of school today, we’re breaking down barriers that hold girls back.
Malala Fund advocates for resources and policy changes needed to give all girls a secondary education. The girls we serve have high goals for themselves and we have high expectations for leaders who can help them. We invest in local education leaders and front-line organisations — the people who best understand girls in their communities — in regions where most girls are missing out on secondary school. We give girls the tools they need to advocate for education and equality in their communities and a platform for the world to hear their voices. We believe girls should speak for themselves and tell leaders what they need to learn and achieve their potential.
V. How to Apply
Please submit your resume and cover letter through the application link by 30 December 2022.
Please note that due to the very high number of applications we receive when positions are posted, we are only able to respond directly to candidates with whom we wish to move forward in the interview process.
Please note you must have the required right to work for the location you are applying for. You will be asked to provide proof of your right to work should you be selected for interview.
Malala Fund is an inclusive organisation and welcomes applications from under-represented and intersectional groups including BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and persons with disabilities. We are seeking people from different backgrounds, cultures, age, experience and identities, to provide a wide range of experience, ideas, views and insights into the strategy, policies, culture and ambitions of Malala Fund.
Malala Fund is committed to ensuring the safety of those involved in our work. Our first priority is protecting everyone who comes in direct or indirect contact with our organisation. Malala Fund has a zero-tolerance approach to abuse and exploitation by any of our staff, representatives or partners. We commit to ensuring that those who work with Malala Fund or on our behalf are able to work in an environment that is free from harm. To this end, Malala Fund reserves the right to conduct background checks on prospective and current employees.
