Communications Coordinator, Kahuzi-Biega National Park, DRC Job at Wildlife Conservation Society
Job Description
Location: Bukavu and Tshivanga, Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP), DRC
Reports To: Park Director
Collaborators: Heads of Departments, Gorilla FM, Community Conservation team
Direct Reports: All staff in KBNP Communications Unit
Start date: ASAP
Duration: Minimum 2 years
Purpose: The overall objective of the Communications Coordinator is to lead the implementation of the communications strategy and to coordinate the work of the Communications Unit to achieve results in terms of visibility, positive perception, continuous production of quality communications content and management of crisis communications situations. At both local, national and international level, the image and concrete implementation of a rights-based conservation approach in KBNP will raise the profile of the Park.
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has been active in Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP) since the late 1950s. Since the 2000s, WCS has been providing onsite technical support to ICCN (Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature) - the government agency responsible for protected areas and wildlife - in conserving the park’s biodiversity and supporting socio-economic programs for communities and civil society living around the Park. In April 2022, WCS signed a 10-year public-private partnership (PPP) agreement with ICCN which delegates the management of the KBNP to WCS. Under the PPP and WCS’s vision for the Park of a rights-based conservation model that will provide benefits to indigenous people and local communities (IPLCs) as well as to biodiversity, communications is a foundational element of our strategy.
The candidate should be innovative, dynamic and creative to deliver a proactive approach to internal and external communications. Candidates will need to clearly demonstrate they have the necessary experience and skills with which to manage such a complex communications plan and strengthen related activities. The Communications Coordinator will be based in Bukavu and on site at the Park headquarters in Tshivanga, South Kivu Province.
Responsibilities:
The Communications Coordinator will elaborate, implement and update a communications strategy - including branding and marketing aspects - with target audiences at local, provincial, national and international levels. In 2 years, success in this role will be defined by: increased and shared understanding of, and support for, the values, mission and objectives of the Park from target audiences; measurable changes in knowledge, behaviour and practice among target audiences; stakeholders regularly informed of KBNP news; improved message coordination and internal communication between partners operating in the KBNP ; strengthened communications capacities internally and an operational and agile Communications Unit.
Leadership and team management
Build and oversee an inclusive and diverse Communications Unit and provide capacity building and mentoring to team members as required
Encourage a culture of participatory learning and adaptive problem-solving so that team members reflect and design effective tools and coverage of field interventions that deliver visibility outcomes
Ensure a balanced distribution of roles and responsibilities, and manage the planning of activities for the Communications Unit
Support to the development and implementation of KBNP communications strategy
Elaborate, implement and update a 5-year communications strategy
Develop and implement the KBNP communications annual workplan
Support monitoring and evaluation of the communications strategy and plan, in collaboration with relevant staff
Pro-actively identify communications opportunities and partnerships
Support to internal communications and inter-partner coordination on communications
Closely coordinate with KBNP senior management, KBNP departments and the Regional Communications Manager
Coordinate with external partners on communications outputs, including regular communications coordination meetings
Coordinate with Park partners, and Community Conservation (CoCo) and tourism teams on design and implementation of awareness events
Support internal communications capacity-building
Development, management and update of official KBNP communications channels
Develop and manage social media
Develop, produce and disseminate regular Park newsletters
Draft, update and disseminate webpages, factsheets, brochures, infographics, etc
Produce stories and articles (social media, websites, etc)
Produce visual outputs (photos, video, etc)
Produce branding outputs (clothing, etc)
Support to KBNP media relations
Create, update and manage the KBNP media contact lists
Draft and disseminate press releases and press kits
Manage external local, national and international level media requests, interviews and visits, in support of the Park Director and spokespersons
Establish and implement crisis communications mechanisms; manage crisis communications situations in collaboration with the Senior Management and various KBNP departments, and with the Regional Communications Manager
Support on international media visits
Forge and manage Park-level media partnerships (including community radios)
Prepare Q&As, key messages and briefing kits for KBNP spokespersons
Support logistics arrangements for media, photographers, and filmmakers in and out of the Park, in line with KBNP guidelines
Project Management
Manage communications equipment
Plan monthly activities and participate in work planning and adaptive learning sessions
Prepare Terms of References and budget requests for communications activities
Qualification Requirements
5 to 10 years of experience in the elaboration and implementation of communication strategies
Significant experience in press relations at local, national and international level
Proven experience in engaging diverse target audiences through a wide range of modern communication tools and media (e.g. social media, newsletters, print, media, poster, photography, audio-visual, radio, and TV)
Proven experience in the coordination of a communications team (Mandatory), and the management of crisis communications situations (required).
A thorough understanding of the tools to measure the success of communication strategies (desirable)
Understanding of biodiversity conservation issues (highly desirable)
Pro-active, positive, and accountable approach to work delivery
Demonstrated openness and sensitivity to the socio-cultural environment of KBNP
Fluent communication skills in French and English, Swahili an advantage
Willingness to spend extended periods in the field with basic amenities and accommodation
How to apply
Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications, skills and experience, should apply through the application tab below by February 8, 2023.
WCS is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value.
#LI-SM1
Salary Range
Competitive salary commensurate with experience
Please Note :
www.bankofmontserrat.ms is the go-to platform for job seekers looking for the best job postings from around the web. With a focus on quality, the platform guarantees that all job postings are from reliable sources and are up-to-date. It also offers a variety of tools to help users find the perfect job for them, such as searching by location and filtering by industry. Furthermore, www.bankofmontserrat.ms provides helpful resources like resume tips and career advice to give job seekers an edge in their search. With its commitment to quality and user-friendliness, Site.com is the ideal place to find your next job.
Location: Bukavu and Tshivanga, Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP), DRC
Reports To: Park Director
Collaborators: Heads of Departments, Gorilla FM, Community Conservation team
Direct Reports: All staff in KBNP Communications Unit
Start date: ASAP
Duration: Minimum 2 years
Purpose: The overall objective of the Communications Coordinator is to lead the implementation of the communications strategy and to coordinate the work of the Communications Unit to achieve results in terms of visibility, positive perception, continuous production of quality communications content and management of crisis communications situations. At both local, national and international level, the image and concrete implementation of a rights-based conservation approach in KBNP will raise the profile of the Park.
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has been active in Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP) since the late 1950s. Since the 2000s, WCS has been providing onsite technical support to ICCN (Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature) - the government agency responsible for protected areas and wildlife - in conserving the park’s biodiversity and supporting socio-economic programs for communities and civil society living around the Park. In April 2022, WCS signed a 10-year public-private partnership (PPP) agreement with ICCN which delegates the management of the KBNP to WCS. Under the PPP and WCS’s vision for the Park of a rights-based conservation model that will provide benefits to indigenous people and local communities (IPLCs) as well as to biodiversity, communications is a foundational element of our strategy.
The candidate should be innovative, dynamic and creative to deliver a proactive approach to internal and external communications. Candidates will need to clearly demonstrate they have the necessary experience and skills with which to manage such a complex communications plan and strengthen related activities. The Communications Coordinator will be based in Bukavu and on site at the Park headquarters in Tshivanga, South Kivu Province.
Responsibilities:
The Communications Coordinator will elaborate, implement and update a communications strategy - including branding and marketing aspects - with target audiences at local, provincial, national and international levels. In 2 years, success in this role will be defined by: increased and shared understanding of, and support for, the values, mission and objectives of the Park from target audiences; measurable changes in knowledge, behaviour and practice among target audiences; stakeholders regularly informed of KBNP news; improved message coordination and internal communication between partners operating in the KBNP ; strengthened communications capacities internally and an operational and agile Communications Unit.
Leadership and team management
Build and oversee an inclusive and diverse Communications Unit and provide capacity building and mentoring to team members as required
Encourage a culture of participatory learning and adaptive problem-solving so that team members reflect and design effective tools and coverage of field interventions that deliver visibility outcomes
Ensure a balanced distribution of roles and responsibilities, and manage the planning of activities for the Communications Unit
Support to the development and implementation of KBNP communications strategy
Elaborate, implement and update a 5-year communications strategy
Develop and implement the KBNP communications annual workplan
Support monitoring and evaluation of the communications strategy and plan, in collaboration with relevant staff
Pro-actively identify communications opportunities and partnerships
Support to internal communications and inter-partner coordination on communications
Closely coordinate with KBNP senior management, KBNP departments and the Regional Communications Manager
Coordinate with external partners on communications outputs, including regular communications coordination meetings
Coordinate with Park partners, and Community Conservation (CoCo) and tourism teams on design and implementation of awareness events
Support internal communications capacity-building
Development, management and update of official KBNP communications channels
Develop and manage social media
Develop, produce and disseminate regular Park newsletters
Draft, update and disseminate webpages, factsheets, brochures, infographics, etc
Produce stories and articles (social media, websites, etc)
Produce visual outputs (photos, video, etc)
Produce branding outputs (clothing, etc)
Support to KBNP media relations
Create, update and manage the KBNP media contact lists
Draft and disseminate press releases and press kits
Manage external local, national and international level media requests, interviews and visits, in support of the Park Director and spokespersons
Establish and implement crisis communications mechanisms; manage crisis communications situations in collaboration with the Senior Management and various KBNP departments, and with the Regional Communications Manager
Support on international media visits
Forge and manage Park-level media partnerships (including community radios)
Prepare Q&As, key messages and briefing kits for KBNP spokespersons
Support logistics arrangements for media, photographers, and filmmakers in and out of the Park, in line with KBNP guidelines
Project Management
Manage communications equipment
Plan monthly activities and participate in work planning and adaptive learning sessions
Prepare Terms of References and budget requests for communications activities
Qualification Requirements
5 to 10 years of experience in the elaboration and implementation of communication strategies
Significant experience in press relations at local, national and international level
Proven experience in engaging diverse target audiences through a wide range of modern communication tools and media (e.g. social media, newsletters, print, media, poster, photography, audio-visual, radio, and TV)
Proven experience in the coordination of a communications team (Mandatory), and the management of crisis communications situations (required).
A thorough understanding of the tools to measure the success of communication strategies (desirable)
Understanding of biodiversity conservation issues (highly desirable)
Pro-active, positive, and accountable approach to work delivery
Demonstrated openness and sensitivity to the socio-cultural environment of KBNP
Fluent communication skills in French and English, Swahili an advantage
Willingness to spend extended periods in the field with basic amenities and accommodation
How to apply
Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications, skills and experience, should apply through the application tab below by February 8, 2023.
WCS is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value.
#LI-SM1
Salary Range
Competitive salary commensurate with experience
Please Note :
www.bankofmontserrat.ms is the go-to platform for job seekers looking for the best job postings from around the web. With a focus on quality, the platform guarantees that all job postings are from reliable sources and are up-to-date. It also offers a variety of tools to help users find the perfect job for them, such as searching by location and filtering by industry. Furthermore, www.bankofmontserrat.ms provides helpful resources like resume tips and career advice to give job seekers an edge in their search. With its commitment to quality and user-friendliness, Site.com is the ideal place to find your next job.