WA BiCC Communications Specialist

Job Description

PCI Media is hiring a Communications Specialist who will play a key role in the implementation of the Knowledge Management and Learning/Communications Strategy (KML/Comms Strategy). Under the overall guidance of the Collaborating, Learning and Adapting Unit Lead and the day to day supervision of the Senior Communication Specialist, s/he will be responsible for the production of visual communication product production and social media, and work with the Liberia and Sierra Leone-based Communications staff and the Technical staff to ensure the successful planning, development, production and dissemination of all communications products across all print, digital and other platforms and events.

Under the day to day supervision of the Senior Communications Specialist the Communications Specialist will:

• Support the development and timely delivery of program communications:
  • Ensure production of high quality written products and draft, copyedit, and proofread written content.
  • Support implementation of WA BiCC’s KML/Communications Strategy under the direction of the CLA Unit Lead.
  • Develop communication plans for events, publications, and other activities, that require communication support including the development of social media plans, outreach campaigns in close coordination with WA BiCC team.
  • Deliver regular program communications, including monthly updates on Mail Chimp, success stories, and weekly digests.
  • Develop communication materials, including presentation, brochures, posters, banners, photo stories on Exposure.co, videos, and other materials as appropriate.
  • Support traditional media relationships and monitor media coverage.
  • Track distribution of program branding materials.
  • Plan and support communication/outreach activities, including event planning and management, publicity, engaging with stakeholders on traditional and social media.
• Supervise Digital Communications Officer.
• Participate in weekly meetings with the WA BiCC Communications team as well as other regular program meetings.
• Travel as required to fulfil the needs of this position in coordination with the technical line supervisor and Chief of Party.
• S/he will be supervised by the Senior Communications Specialist.

Qualifications

• Exceptional English writing, copyediting, and proofreading skills and experience.
• Education and/or experience equivalent to a Master’s Degree in communication, journalism, social marketing or a field relevant to media/communication.
• 2 - 5 years field experience working in Africa, preferably West Africa, in the communication field – experience working with USAID is a plus.
• Experience in graphic design, journalism, and/or web design.
• Strong experience in and understanding of new media, as well as traditional media in Africa.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills in English and French (other widely spoken African languages would be an advantage).
• Strong interpersonal skills including:
  • Strong negotiation skills;
  • Ability to represent the organization at external events;
  • Comfortable with public presentation skills.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills are required to keep pace with the program while delivering high quality communication products.

How to apply

Please submit a cover letter, CV/resume, and a writing sample to jobs@pcimedia.org. Please include “WA BiCC Communications Specialist” in the subject of your email.

About the Organization

USAID/West Africa’s Biodiversity and Climate Change (WA BiCC), is a five-year Program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) that aims to improve conservation and climate-resilient low-emissions growth across West Africa. Although regional in scope and design, WA BiCC focuses on targeted geographical areas within the region to improve governance and policy over critical natural and human systems. WA BiCC aims to build regional and national institutional capacity through the generation, identification and effective dissemination of information to strengthen the enabling environment throughout West Africa. The Program addresses three core technical areas of urgent relevance to the sustainable management of West Africa’s natural resources and the people and cultures dependent on them. These are – 1) combatting wildlife trafficking; 2) increasing coastal resilience to climate change and 3) reducing deforestation, forest degradation, and biodiversity loss.

Tetra Tech ARD (ARD) is the lead implementer responsible for delivery of the WA BiCC Program. It is supported by four implementing partners (PCI Media, Palladium, Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN) and Pact, Inc.) that each brings an area of expertise to ensure effective and sustainable program delivery. PCI Media (PCI) is the implementing partner responsible to ensure strategic program communications and Behavior Change Communications (BCC) focused on Education-Entertainment approaches delivered to target audiences across the region. PCI assists WA BiCC on internal and external program communications including, but not limited to, technical reports, progress reports, technical briefs, social media, website development and management, documentaries and other products. BCC activities are developed and implemented with the WA BiCC team and in close consultation with core regional partners.