Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an international non-governmental organization supporting relief and development work in over 99 countries around the world. CRS programs assist persons on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity or nationality. CRS works through local church and non-church partners to implement its programs, therefore, strengthening and building the capacity of these partner organizations is fundamental to programs in every country in which CRS operates.
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Marketing & Communications Manager
Job Ref Code: MCM101018
Location: Abuja
Band: 9
Department: Central Africa Regional Office (CARO)
Reports To: Country Representative
Job Summary
- The CRS Marketing & Communications Manager (MCM) will be responsible for developing and executing a marketing plan for CRS in Nigeria in close collaboration with the Country Representative, the Senior Management Team, and program staff.
- The MCM will liaise with and manage external consultants in photography, design, printing, and event execution in support of the marketing plan and will build the capacity of CRS staff in communications planning and implementation.
- A critical element to the job will be CRS’ brand management in Nigeria, in line with guidance and procedures from CRS’ global headquarters in the US which may include media relations.
- The MCM is a key member of the CRS team and will work closely with Senior and Program managers on a variety of assignments.
Job Responsibilities
Marketing and Communications:
- Marketing Plan Development: in close collaboration with the Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Coordinator and Senior Management team the MCM will focus on developing a high-quality marketing and communications strategy to increase CRS Nigeria’s profile in the health, agricultural livelihoods, and Emergency Response and Recovery Strategic Program Areas (SPAs) as well as partner capacity building.
- Crafting Messages: The MCM, in collaboration with the relevant program team, will develop specific “pitches” tailored for each audience. These pitches will be finalized with HQ, regional, and/or country program staff before delivery.
- Content development: in collaboration with the relevant project teams, travel (or facilitate travel with consultants) to field locations to interview beneficiaries and capture compelling success stories. Develop or update marketing materials (multi-media, print, posters, and others) for various distribution and delivery methods. Develop briefing guides, feature stories, background statements, fact sheets, PowerPoint presentations, web releases and talking points that effectively transmit accurate and timely information about CRS in Nigeria.
- Resource Mobilization: In collaboration with the Business Development Specialist and the Senior Management Team, the MCM will refine or develop program communication strategies to best position CRS to gain a competitive advantage with funders in Nigeria. This includes being in close contact with communication representatives of institutional funders to regularly provide stories, photos, and communication reports as required, as well as ensuring CR/ Nigeria’s compliance with donor’s branding and marketing requirements.
- Media Relations: Under the direction of the Country Representative (CR), and in collaboration with the Regional Information Officer, manage media relations in Nigeria.
- Social Media: Act as the country program focal point for implementing a social media strategy with HQ. Generate ideas for FB, Twitter and Instagram posts, and share with HQ social media team. Ensure photographs meet standards for branding, photo credits and archiving. Support HQ team to respond to any Nigeria specific comments or messages.
- Representation & Networking: Support the planning and coordination of events, missions, VIP visits, under the leadership of the CR. Keep informed of initiatives and programmatic directions in the international and national NGO community in Nigeria. When requested by the CR, attend national and international organization events to represent CRS and its programs. Assist in coordinating HQ and donor delegations to CRS programs.
- External and Internal Communications: support the development of high-quality bi-monthly newsletters in coordination with CRS staff to communication CRS work to donors, Bishops and internally for CRS staff. Help conceive creative ideas and direction and work with writers and photographers/graphic designers within and outside the organization.
- Events Management: coordinate and organize major events for CRS programs and partners, including project launches, major donor visits, and anniversary events. The MCM may be assigned to assist partners in organizing key partner events.
- Brand Management: Ensure that all project communications are appropriate for CRS’ strategy, identity and the changing operational environment in Nigeria, including but not limited to CRS’ project sites, project documents, video and visual pieces, media products. Take leadership in ensuring that all project communications are consistent with CRS’ branding and publications guidelines, global best practices and donor requirements.
- Training and Capacity Building: Facilitate and coach relevant CRS staff in Nigeria and partners on best practices in marketing and brand management.
Reporting Activities:
- Keep CRS’ Regional Information Manager, based in Dakar, regularly updated on key communications events, programmatic developments, success stories, high-profile visits, and similar activities for onward communication to CRS/HQ and potentially the US Media.
Supervisory:
- Draft scopes of work and provide supervision to field level CRS and partners staff as required.
- Consultants for events management, photography, and videography
Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff): These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.
- Serves with Integrity
- Models Stewardship
- Cultivates Constructive Relationships
- Promotes Learning
Key Working Relationships:
- Internal: Country Representative, Deputy Country Representatives, Head of Programs, Business Development Specialist,
- Chiefs of Party, Senior Management Team, Regional Information Manager, Marketing and Communications Department (HQ)
- External: Representatives of other nonprofits, Contractors, Vendors, project partners, Donors,
Qualifications and Skills
- Minimum Master's Degree in Communications, Journalism, or related studies; relevant experience in INGOs or UN preferred
- Minimum of five years’ experience working on marketing and communication activities in the Humanitarian and relief, or business sectors.
- Ability to work with stakeholders on multiple levels including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, donors, media groups, religious groups (Catholic, Muslim) and CRS staff
- Proven interpersonal skills and ability to influence through communication
- Demonstrable track record of successfully disseminating information to a variety of target audiences
- Capacity to plan, coordinate, organize and schedule and deliver outputs to a specified deadlines
- Visual literacy and visual communication competencies and skills in publication design
- Understanding of major issues of international development and donor assistance
- Flexibility to work both in a team and independently
- Cultural sensitivity, patience, and flexibility
- Demonstrated personal accountability and driven to serve others
- Understanding of and experience with faith-based organizations, local church structures, and accompaniment and capacity-building principles in local partnerships highly desired
- Ability to travel nationally and internationally as required
- Excellent English language oral and written communication skills
- Highly proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and desktop publishing skills
- Experience in Adobe Indesign and photoshop is strongly desired
- Proven organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
- Mature disposition in appropriately managing sensitive situations
Application Closing Date
23rd October, 2018.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should download the "Application Form" below and send with a detailed Resume as one document in PDF to:
[email protected] The Position Title must be expressly stated as the subject of the email quoting reference number MCM101018. E.g - "Marketing & Communications Manager MCM101018".
Click here to download Application Form (MS Word)
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