Communications Manager - Fairtrade

Communications Manager - Fairtrade

Specific Tasks
Communication Strategy Development, Planning and Budgeting

·         Lead FTA communications and media strategy and contribute to the Global communications and branding strategies.

·         Lead in the achievement of communications goals.

·         Ensure that evaluation systems are in place related to these goals and report progress.

·         Develop short and long term communications and media related plans and budgets for the strategy and workplan, programme and activities; and to monitor progress and evaluate performance.

·         Drive improvements in an internal communication framework following the merger of Fairtrade Africa with Fairtrade International’s Product Services & Relations department within FTA and the wider global movement.

·         Manage the suppliers and service providers ensuring great quality, delivery and value for money.

Producer communications

·         Improve communication with producers to keep them informed about Fairtrade Africa projects and activities

·         Enhance communication between producers to share best practices

·         Support Regional teams at internal events with producers

·         Communicate with producers to create impact stories

·         Build communication plans that highlight the value that FTA brings and therefore encourages producers to pay their membership fees

External communications & event management

·         Coordinate communication work with Fairtrade International, Regional and National Fairtrade Organisations and other Producer Networks – (providing materials and communication tools)

·         Identify and support networking initiatives to maximise FTA reach to supporters and stakeholders.

·         Build and maintain relationships with audiences such as business associations, think tanks and academia;

·         Coordinate FTA’s annual event (Africa Fairtrade Convention)

·         Support other relevant events.

Writing/editing

·         Lead in the development of FTA annual reports and other publications;

·         Write and edit FTA newsletter to publicize Fairtrade news and developments;

·         Manage FTA website, ensuring it is updated regularly

·         Lead in writing media statements and support development of other communications materials

Media

·         Provide proactive and reactive information to the media or to Fairtrade partners for media purposes to support organizational goals and strategies Oversee media monitoring on Fairtrade

·         Support the Executive Director as the spokesperson, and schedule and participate in interviews, as required

·         Support and train producer members and colleagues in media work

Fairtrade Marketing Support

·         Coordinate external communication launches for Fairtrade marketing organisations supported by FTA

·         Support the implementation of the communication strategy for these marketing organisations;

·         Support the identification and roll-out events

·         Support the creation of campaign materials

·         Support the development and roll-out of a media strategy

Skills and Competence – Essential:

·         Graduate level degree or equivalent.

·         5 years of experience working in communications for reputable organisations including at least 1 year line management experience

·         Proven facilitation skills in multi-stakeholder settings & experience working with different audiences, from consumers to donor partners

·         Proven experience in brand identity management including design experience

·         Excellent attention to detail

·         Proven track record in event coordination

·         Internal communications experience

·         In-depth knowledge/experience of one of the following: the fair trade movement and its role and impact in promoting development; international development issues; ethical trade or social corporate responsibility

·         Languages: Excellent English is essential

·         Experience of working in an African environment

Preferred:

·         Working knowledge of French and other relevant languages, strongly preferred

·         Experience in international media

·         Up-to-date experience in new media

·         Kenyan consumer & media experience preferred

Personal Qualities

·         Demonstrable ability to drive forward work on own initiative and with limited guidance

·         Demonstrable ability to motivate and enthuse others

·         Preference for working in multicultural environments

·         Political judgement backed by a diplomatic and sensitive working style

·         Collaborative and supportive approach to teamwork.

Competencies:

·         The following are core competencies required for the role:

·         Delivering results - Ability to deliver high quality measurable results whilst at the same time maintaining or even raising quality of work;

·         Passionate Commitment – Speaks about trade in a way that influences decision-makers and other relevant actors to act in tandem with FTA aims

·         Knowledge management – working in a way that promotes, information and knowledge sharing to the team and our broader network

Application (Deadline 6th January 2014)
An application form (CVs will not be accepted) can be found on the jobs and volunteering page of our website www.fairtradeafrica.net.
If you have any queries, please e-mail recruitments @ fairtradeafrica.net or call +254202721930 and ask to speak to a member of the Admin team.
Qualified applicants will be subjected to background checks as a condition of employment.
The final hiring decision is anticipated mid of Jan 2014 for a start date of Mid Feb 2014.
Completed applications should be e-mailed to recruitments [at] fairtradeafrica.net
All applicants should state how they meet essential requirements of the post and include their email address, telephone contacts and three referees with contact details on the application form.
Others: This job description is intended as a guide and should not be viewed as an inflexible specification as it may be varied from time to time in the light of strategic developments following discussion with the post holder.
The post holder will be expected to work to agreed objectives, which should facilitate achievements of key responsibilities in accordance with the Performance Review Process.