Director of Communications

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Supporting the Vision, Purpose, Values and Commitments of SODEI including program delivery that is centered around children and youth in Cameroon.

SODEI is seeking a Director of Communications with writing, public-facing and nonprofit experience to lead the organization into its next phase of growth and development. Reporting to the Chief Communications and Development Officer, the Director of Communications will aid in developing and executing the charity’s Integrated Marketing Communications Plan (IMCP) through website, social media, written and visual materials, and public presentations; develop and execute its strategic communications plan; and, manage all internal and external communications.

This is an ideal opportunity for a proven leader to continue building a complex system from the ground up, and to accelerate the organization’s work during a critical time of growth and innovation.

The Role

Marketing Communications Strategy

• Refine communications goals and strategies per the SODEI’s Strategic Plan 2020-25, and co-ordinate the implementation of comprehensive communications plans for advocacy, development and visibility of the charity.
• Develop messaging guidance that persuasively shapes how the charity presents its positions to the local and international partners, donors, lawmakers and other audiences.
• Create and implement IMC including the coordination of a consistent organizational image in all internal and external communications.
• Develop and manage the charity's communications team, vendors and other partners.

Social Media and Website Management

• Lead maintenance and expansion of the charity's website, including writing new sections for GwCC, articles and blogs.
• Oversee all of the charity's social media accounts and implement strategies to grow the organization's social media presence, following, and overall traffic.
• Develop and implement a plan to communicate with our email audience regularly, and to increase the number of subscribers.
• Devise and implement content strategy for blogs, articles, op-eds, social media platforms, and other communication projects.
• Manage marketing of events, workshops, retreats, and special projects.
• Guide staff in the production of specials, videos, slideshows and other programming for advocacy and development.
• Identify and participate in public forums, including academic publications and events.
• Actively promote the charity and its events to improve community, media, and engagement.
• Write correspondence for various staff and key projects.
• Manage and collaborate with internal and external contributors in the writing of summaries, publications and articles from retreats, conferences and working groups.

Media Relations

• Interface with local and international media, including building alliances with reporters and bloggers, pitching stories, and coordinating interview requests.
• Co-ordinate with directorate and staff to develop content for press releases, press advisories, statements, op-eds, and letters to the media, and prepare staff for media interviews.
• Work with media to organize and promote press events, including our upcoming events including workshops, international days and retreats.
• Manage media lists and tracking of news coverage.

Consultation

• Provide consultation to senior management and staff, and participate in appropriate supporting research and analysis; assess media reports and develop, implement and evaluate communication strategies to engage both internal and external audiences to facilitate an open dialogue and understanding of important issues, challenges, opportunities and strategic directions; collaborate with the Communications team to engage volunteers, partners and the community to support programs and projects and promote a positive image.
• Participate and recommend strategic communications and/or promotional plans for SODEI and its local and international programs, based on effective situational analyses; carry these plans forward from the goal-setting through to the creative solution, including the implementation and evaluation stages; consider factors such as audience characteristics, vision and strategy, available budget and resources and potentially sensitive and/or confidential issues.

Personnel

• Recruit, hire and manage college and graduate-level communications interns to help execute IMCP.
• Work with senior management to develop an internship criteria to ensure that the experience is mutually beneficial to interns and the charity.
• Work with local universities to identify and select internship candidates.
• Delegate tasks using project management software and supervise intern team to ensure that all projects are completed in a timely fashion.

We are looking for the following skills, knowledge and experience:

Profile

• A mission-oriented, proven implementer who thrives when concurrently managing multiple initiatives
• An entrepreneurial self-starter who works independently and enjoys creating new initiatives
• A mature, high-energy leader who acts as a unifying force, positioning communications discussions at both the strategic and tactical levels
• Sincere commitment to collaborate with all constituent groups, including staff, board members, volunteers, donors, program participants, and other supporters

Skills (essential)

• Superb writing, voicing and strong editorial skills, with experience of editing content for digital publications and distribution
• Versed in the latest trends in multi-platform, cross-channel communication
• Experience of managing a website and social media content, newsletters, and other digital communication channels (with sensitivity and an understanding of different audiences and subject matter)
• Interest in and the talent to manage a diverse team including interns
• Public speaking including presentation design and management (from slide decks to panel moderation)

Experience (3-5 years)

• Partnership building with interdisciplinary groups, and developing and executing major projects.
• Management of PR projects, and other community related projects
• Proven specialization in non-profit communications
• Demonstrated composition and positioning of children and youth writing
• Degree in communications or related discipline with a minimum of 3 years’ experience in nonprofit communication, political, or advocacy campaigns, and/or background in journalism

Please note that this is a voluntary unpaid position. However, depending on funding available we may be able to contribute to cost of travel.

If the above opportunity is what you are looking for please contact us via admin@sodei.org