Plan International seeks to recruit a communications advisor – Bamako, BK0, ML, Mali

Plan International is a humanitarian, child centred development organisation without religious, political or governmental affiliation. Plan is committed to protecting and promoting child rights, and to improving the lives and futures of poor children, their families and communities through a child-centered community development approach.

Plan’s vision is of a world in which all children realize their full potential in societies that respect people’s rights and dignity.

Plan aims to achieve long lasting improvements in the quality of life of deprived children in developing countries, through a process that unites people across cultures and adds meaning and value to their lives.

Plan is an equal opportunities employer, committed to the protection of children and gender equity and our recruitment procedures reflect this.

By the way of this announcement, the representation of Plan International in Mali (Plan International) is looking for a suitable candidate for the position of Communication and Public Relation Advisor based in the Country Office (Bamako). It is a senior management post. Plan International Mali has been in Mali since 1976

 

Typical Responsibilities – Key End Results of Position :

• Develop communication and PR strategies as well as annual plans, to improve communication both internally and externally and increase Plan key country audiences ;
• Support program and advocacy initiatives of Plan International by providing technical coordination and advice For the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of their communication plans ;
• Build good working relations with the media to familiarise them with Plan International’s work, increase its visibility and raise its profile among its target publics the creation of a strong professional image of Plan amongst external media to reach the right audience ;
• Organize the roll-out of corporate and region-wide initiatives on Communications and PR at country level to promote Plan ;
• Improve Public Relation and manage relationships with the medias relations include above  as well as NGOs and government authorities To strengthen collaboration and partnership for joint Communication initiatives ;
• Support the production of Plan’s corporate program and sponsorship reports/documents ;
• Ensure a good dissemination of Plan’s country program work through efficient use of internal and external communication channels and systems ;
• Contribute to strengthen the capacity of staff to communicate using a variety of channels and for different audiences ;
• Ensure gender mainstreaming in to communications and public relation activities and maintain gender sensitivity towards staff to avoid discrimination ;
• Support and facilitate media visits at country level to ensure the objectives of such visits are well met with a thorough consideration for Plan’s child protection measures ;
• Comply with Plan Child protection policy to safeguards and protect children from all forms of abuse ;
• Implement the development of region-wide communications and publications on programs and projects ;
• Ensure that communication and PR activities meet Plan’s child protection standards and standards for ethical journalism ;
• Produces, manages and monitors PR budget of the country office ;
• Develop a crisis communication management plan and contribute to its implementation ;
• Assistance to the various department for their specific communications needs ;
• Perform any other duties to be assigned to support the attained of organizational goals.

 

What are the outputs and deliverables?

• Quality support/facilitation of media visits at country level ;
• Regular and positive mention of Plan in national media to positively portray its impact on the life of children girls, youth and community ;
• Production of regular communication materials for use on Plan’s international internal and external websites (at least one story per month) ;
• Development, production and dissemination press releases, publications, flyers, posters and other PR and information/communication material destined for external audiences ;
• Build good relationship with media partner to meet the organization objective ;
• Availability of a Communication and Public Relations strategy ;
• Existence of communication plans for major projects ;
• Management of Plan Mali specific social media.

 

Dealing with Problems/ Managing Risk :

The Communication and Public Relations Advisor works under the Deputy Country Director Programme supervision. He can take or suggest appropriate actions to better manage Plan International Mali Communication or establishing better relationships with partners. Any matter going beyond his authority is referred to Head of Programme Development and Influencing.

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

 

Essential :

Minimum of Bachelor degree in Communication and or Journalism

 

Knowledge :

• Strong competencies to plan, prioritize, and Execute autonomously with strategic approach ;
• University degree in Journalism and Public Relations, or equivalent experience ;
• At least, five (5) years of relevant professional experience including management and implementation of communication strategies, and communications and marketing products, both within the country and across multiple countries, preferably in West Africa ;
• Experience in the NGO sector preferably with child-related development issues, would be an advantage ;
• Experience of working with local and international media and liaising media activities in a national and regional environment ;
• Good knowledge and management of the social media ;
• Experience in building individual and organizational capacity in communications and PR skills.

 

Skills :

• Excellent writing, editing and reviewing skills – fluent in English, and/or in French ;
• Ability to deliver to tight deadlines and budgets ;
• Capacity to prioritize subjects based on an adequate reading of local reality ;
• Strong negotiation, facilitating and influencing skills ;
• Able “to put in practice” concepts and strategic thinking ;
• Ability to understand different cultural contexts and marketing / PR realities ;
• Able to work with children and youths.

 

Behaviour :

• Be proactive and result oriented ;
• Be a listener ;
• Able to work under pressure and multi-cultural environment.

 

Desirable :

• Women with strong experience in journalism and reporting ;
• International NGO Experience.

Key relationships

 

Communications and Working Relationships :

Close working relationships will be expected with the following :

Internal :

• Country Director (High level) ;
• Head of Program Development & Influencing (High level) ;
• Head of Programme Implementation (Medium level) ;
• PIIA Managers (High level) ;
• Sectors Specialist if any (High level) ;
• Frontline staff (High level).

External :

• Partners’ networks (high level) ;
• Newspaper’s ;
• Online media ;
• Radio ;
• Social media (Facebook, Twitter ;
• Televisions ;
• Various External stakeholders (low level).

 

Experiences :

At least 5 years’ experience in similar position or as communication manager.

 

Physical Environment

The post holder works on a typical office environment. He would be frequently travelling inside Plan International Mali PIIA (Dioila, Fana, Baroueli, Kangaba, Kati, Kita and Bougouni, Yanfolila, Tombouctou, Mopti and Gao), emergency areas or outside Mali.

 

Application procedure :

Candidates should send an application including: A cover letter to Plan International Mali together with a detailed CV with the names and addresses of at least three references, certified copies of degrees and work certificates to the following address : Planmalirecruitment@plan-international.org

with a subject title : Application for Communication and Public Relation Advisor.

 

Cloting date :

Applications will be considered up to 18 February 2019

Plan International’s Values in Practice

 

We are open and accountable :

1. Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors ;
2. Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity ;
3. Consistent and fair in the treatment of people ;
4. Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them ;
5. Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people.

 

We strive for lasting impact :

1. Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations ;
2. Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas ;
3. Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises ;
4. Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

 

We work well together :

1. Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate ;
2. Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals ;
3. Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities ;
4. Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

 

We are inclusive and empowering :

5. Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate ;
6. Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals ;
7. Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities ;
8. Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.