Communications Consultants at ActionAid Nigeria (AAN)

ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) is a not for profit, non-governmental entity registered with the Nigeria Corporate Affairs Commission. It commenced operations in Nigeria in 1999, while the programmatic operations commenced in January 2000 through a Country Agreement signed with the National Planning Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

ActionAid is an anti-poverty agency that prioritises works with the poor and excluded; promoting values and commitment in civil society, institutions and governments with the aim of achieving structural changes in order to eradicate injustices and poverty in the world. ActionAid Nigeria is an affiliate of ActionAid International, an International Non-Governmental organisation registered in The Netherlands with its headquarters in Johannesburg South Africa. ActionAid International works in more than 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas.

AAN is inviting applications from qualified candidates to fill the position of:

Job Title: Communications Consultant

Location: Abuja

Job Description

• ActionAid Nigeria is looking for a creative, energetic and driven Communications Consultant to provide cover for the substantive person for a period not longer than five months.
• The communications Consultant will be responsible for implementing ActionAid Nigeria’s communication strategy; plan and carry out public affairs, community relations and publicity in order to influence and inform AAN’s Stakeholders, Staff, Partners and Donors in the organisation’s thematic areas

Specific Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate the documentation and publishing of all AAN manuals and publications (reports, policy briefs, newsletters, etc.); in terms of its design, editing, and service delivery
• Implementation of media strategy to improve the organisation’s profile and promote changes to key political, economic and social services issues identified by research works;
• Building the capacity of AAN Staff and its partners and support them in the understanding, documentation and production of high quality communication products to promote the work AAN does to donors and other external audiences. Sharing of collaborative case-studies, impact surveys and other researches that inform policy of critical issues in AAN’s programme areas
• Lead in AAN’s Social Media activities, updates and manages the website of the organisation.
• Support and oversee the duties of Communications support officer and communications interns.

Responsibilities / Key Deliverables
The following are expectations from the Communications Consultant:

Oversee design and printing of pending ActionAid’s publications, support advocacy and campaigns communications activities, and other documentation works:

• The consultant shall meet with the Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns Manager upon the award of contract to have better grasp of expectation of AAN from the contract
• The Consultant will be responsible for editorial works on all materials provided. S/he will ensure clarity of structure and internal consistency, both analytical and stylistic. S/he will also ensure general readability and accessibility to a broad readership irrespective of literacy level in English language.
• The Consultant will provide relevant technical support to the Local Rights Programme (LRP) and programme units, especially in documentation, skill enhancement, media relations and the social media.
• The Consultant in consultation with the Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns Manager will identify relevant resource persons with relevant skills and qualifications to carry out the tasks in (b) above and other tasks that may be identified.
• The Consultant will liaise closely with external consultants to ensure the timely and accurate delivery of services rendered.

Oversee technical editing and copy-editing of reports and other publications and materials for readability and consistency:

• The Consultant will oversee the technical editing and copy-editing of materials before they are printed i.e. appropriate use of boxes, graphics and tables; sequencing, consistency, especially between text and tables and figures and integration of text and boxes; ensure that statistical data used and referenced in the text are consistent with the data in the respective tables, figures, charts and maps, as well as with the indicator tables flow and clarity of argument, content errors, style and punctuation, spelling and grammar.
• The Consultant shall be responsible for the sourcing of competent graphic designer to develop templates for AAN publication.
• The Consultant shall be responsible for the proof-reading or procurement of competent proof reader (s) for all materials after the layout/graphic works of the document(s) must have been concluded.
• The Consultant will oversee the graphic design of the final document and ensure this is consistent with the ActionAid branding as given by the international communications team and as modified by the country programme.
• Support development of advocacy and campaigns materials
• The Consultant will provide relevant support to Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns Manager in the unit’s liaisons with programmes and projects in the development of relevant policy, advocacy and campaigns materials and events.
• The Consultant shall examine all campaigns and advocacy materials for articulation of AAN positions, appropriate use of language, compliance with AAI branding and use of graphic words before they go to press.
• Shall from time to time examine the need for relevant communications intervention and introduction of new strategy and make recommendation for such.

Lead in the organisation’s web activities:

• The Consultant will manage the organisation’s website and make recommendations or changes as appropriate.
• The Consultant will be responsible for ensuring the website is regularly updated and new content is uploaded in a timely fashion
• The Consultant will take the lead on the organisation’s use of ICT and social media platforms (Twitter and Facebook)
• The Consultant will handle the production of the organisation’s newsletter.
• The Consultant will be responsible for sharing all relevant material on ActionAid’s internal online information-sharing platforms (HIVE and Storieshub) in a timely manner.

Capturing and projection of success stories:

• The Consultant will work with the programmes and projects staffs to ensure regular capture of stories of change and accompanying photos.
• The Consultant will support and provide appropriate guides to the the LRP partners to capture stories of change.
• The Consultant will provide editing support to ensure stories of change are clear, readable and engaging, and of suitable length.
• The consultant will be responsible for ensuring appropriate use of such stories of change and success stories in all available outlet within and without ActionAid International.
• The Consultant will be responsible for the syndication of such stories in the mass media.

Reporting and Accountability:

• Develop concept note for each programme activity for approval by the line manager.
• Submit situational and any other non-routine reports when necessary or when asked to.

Others:

• Actively take part in the overall policy, programme, procedure and strategy development of AAN in general.
• Assumes any other responsibilities relevant to the position as agreed with the Policy Advocacy and Campaigns Manager or assigned by the Director of Programmes or Country Director.

Key Relationships:

• Internal Relationships: Policy, Advocacy, Campaigns and Communications (PACC), HROE & Finance Team.
• External Relationships: Media, Communications Consultants/service providers, CSOs, relevant government agencies and partners

Persons Specifications

Attributes/Skills Essential Desirable
Education/Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Sciences or Arts/Humanities.
• Masters degree in a related field.
• Membership of relevant professional Institute.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years work experience.
• 3 years experience managing communication and advocacy projects and working with the media.
• Website development/management and digital communications
• Evidence of active Personal Blog
• Capacity building experience including training, facilitating, coaching and mentoring
• Online i.e. website management and digital communications
• Understanding of the role of advocacy work and communication in development.
• Experience in organisational & individual capacity building
• Experience as a media focal person for an organisation/department
• Experience as a reporter, sub editor or proof reader
• Familiarity with popular media sector and previous relationship with same

Skill Abilities:

• Strong communication and writing skills
• Ability to provide practical solutions within set deadlines.
• Good computer skills especially in the use of publishing tools
• Multi-tasking skills
• Public Speaking skills
• Excellent planning and prioritisation skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Highly numerate
• Excellent Skills in policy analysis and interpretation

Personal Qualities:

• A person of integrity
• Creative and takes initiative.
• Able to work effectively in a diverse team environment
• Willing to work additional hours at crucial times.
• Self motivated person able to work without close supervision
• Effectively promote the AAN’s mission, values and objectives
• Proven Leadership Qualities.

Person Specifications
Education/Qualifications:

• First Degree in Social Sciences, Arts/Humanities is essential.
• Masters Degree in a related field is desirable
• Membership of relevant professional Institute.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years work experience is essential
• 3 years’ experience managing communication, advocacy projects and working with the media is essential
• Experience on website development/management and digital communications is essential
• Capacity building experience including training, facilitating, coaching and mentoring is essential

Skill/Abilities:

• Strong communication and writing skills
• Excellent Skills in policy analysis and interpretation
• Good computer skills especially in the use of publishing tools
• Public Speaking skills
• Excellent planning, prioritisation skills and strong interpersonal skills.

Personal Qualities:

• A person of integrity
• Creative and takes initiative.
• Able to work effectively in a diverse team environment

Application Closing Date
13th November, 2015.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should kindly send their applications in MSWord attachment to: [email protected] clearly stating position as the subject of the email.

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Note:

• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• While we respect all applicants, interview date will be communicated only to shortlisted candidates.