Job Title: Communications Manager
Team: Programmes
Job Family: Communications
Category: International/Local
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Reporting To: Programmes Director
Reporting to this post: Communications Assistant; Communications & IT Officer
Scale Level: Manager Level 1 Scale point 5
Salary Range (Basic): USD 2,500 - 3,960
Budget Responsibility: Yes
Background:
Fairtrade is the leading
ethical trading label globally and it’s objective is to improve
livelihoods of producers and workers through trade. The Africa Fairtrade
Network (AFN), set-up in 2005 and operating as Fairtrade Africa (FTA),
is an umbrella organisation representing over 700,000 Fairtrade
certified producers in Africa, and is a member and co-owner of Fairtrade
International (FLO) which operates from Bonn, Germany.
Through various networks
the FTA also influences and represents non-FLO certified producers and
their organizations on fair trade issues nationally, regionally and
globally.
FTA aims to effectively
represent producers within the FLO system and in the broader fair trade
movement, working to increase market access and organisational support
for African producers and contributing to poverty reduction in Africa.
To achieve this FTA works
with relevant organisations and institutions in building support for
Fairtrade and fair trade conditions across Africa and for bringing
together people, institutions and governments in a movement for change
in world trade.
Currently there are over
300 Fairtrade certified groups in Africa and the movement is continuing
to grow in Africa with new intra-Africa Fairtrade market opportunities
and domestic sustainable consumption emerging across the continent
especially in South Africa and Kenya.
FTA is governed by an
elected continental Board, representing all certified producers in
Africa, through four regional structures (in Southern, East, West and
North Africa), each of which has its own Board of Directors and staff.
As a member of the
Fairtrade International, Fairtrade Africa is also accountable to their
Board and works in close collaboration with other Producer Networks in
Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and with Labelling Initiatives
all over the world who are responsible for the development of consumer
markets
Commencing in 2013 the African Fairtrade Network will expand its role within Africa beyond representation, coordination and participation for producers to include service provision, product origin management and support standards delivery for increased efficiency and accountability to producers.
Job Purpose:
The Communications
Manager (CM), carries the overall responsibility for the development and
implementation of Fairtrade Africa’s communications strategy and plan.
This involves delivering
many different channels of communication, across the continent, regions
and Internationally and in different languages.
The Communications
Manager in his/her capacity is responsible for: increasing understanding
of Fairtrade Africa (producers, external audience); position Fairtrade
Africa as a facilitator for producers, partners and traders; increase
visibility and recognition of Fairtrade Africa (producers, external
audience).
He/she will also be in
charge of coordinating the organisation’s annual Africa Fairtrade
Convention, which unites producers and partners in Africa and globally
and also support other events as necessary.
The CM will also provide support to the regions and assist with communications and brand management of
specific projects, most notably the introduction of Fairtrade to consumers.
specific projects, most notably the introduction of Fairtrade to consumers.
Finally, as Fairtrade
Africa is undergoing internal changes, the CM will help drive
improvements in internal communications throughout Fairtrade Africa and
the global movement.
Overall, the CM will help
create a positive regional and international environment in which
Fairtrade can succeed by leading the communication strategy and
implementation, event delivery and coordinating with the regional teams,
member organizations and other stakeholders in and out of the Fair
Trade movement.
Specific Tasks
Communication Strategy Development, Planning and Budgeting
- Lead FTA communications and media strategy and contribute to the Global communications and branding strategies.
- Lead in the achievement of communications goals.
- Ensure that evaluation systems are in place related to these goals and report progress.
- Develop short and long term communications and media related plans and budgets for the strategy and workplan, programme and activities; and to monitor progress and evaluate performance.
- Drive improvements in an internal communication framework following the merger of Fairtrade Africa with Fairtrade International’s Product Services & Relations department within FTA and the wider global movement.
- Manage the suppliers and service providers ensuring great quality, delivery and value for money.
Producer communications
- Improve communication with producers to keep them informed about Fairtrade Africa projects and activities
- Enhance communication between producers to share best practices
- Support Regional teams at internal events with producers
- Communicate with producers to create impact stories
- Build communication plans that highlight the value that FTA brings and therefore encourages producers to pay their membership fees
External communications & event management
- Coordinate communication work with Fairtrade International, Regional and National Fairtrade Organisations and other Producer Networks – (providing materials and communication tools)
- Identify and support networking initiatives to maximise FTA reach to supporters and stakeholders.
- Build and maintain relationships with audiences such as business associations, think tanks and academia;
- Coordinate FTA’s annual event (Africa Fairtrade Convention)
- Support other relevant events.
Writing/editing
- Lead in the development of FTA annual reports and other publications;
- Write and edit FTA newsletter to publicize Fairtrade news and developments;
- Manage FTA website, ensuring it is updated regularly
- Lead in writing media statements and support development of other communications materials
Media
- Provide proactive and reactive information to the media or to Fairtrade partners for media purposes to support organizational goals and strategies
- Oversee media monitoring on Fairtrade
- Support the Executive Director as the spokesperson, and schedule and participate in interviews, as required
- Support and train producer members and colleagues in media work
Fairtrade Marketing Support
- Coordinate external communication launches for Fairtrade marketing organisations supported by FTA
- Support the implementation of the communication strategy for these marketing organisations;
- Support the identification and roll-out events
- Support the creation of campaign materials
- Support the development and roll-out of a media strategy
Skills and Competence – Essential:
- Graduate level degree or equivalent.
- 5 years of experience working in communications for reputable organisations including at least 1 year line management experience.
- Proven facilitation skills in multi-stakeholder settings & experience working with different audiences, from consumers to donor partners
- Proven experience in brand identity management including design experience.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Proven track record in event coordination
- Internal communications experience
- In-depth knowledge/experience of one of the following: the fair trade movement and its role and impact in promoting development; international development issues; ethical trade or social corporate responsibility.
- Languages: Excellent English is essential.
- Experience of working in an African environment
Preferred:
- Working knowledge of French and other relevant languages, strongly preferred
- Qualification in communication
- Experience in international media
- Up-to-date experience in new media
- Kenyan consumer & media experience preferred
Personal Qualities
- Demonstrable ability to drive forward work on own initiative and with limited guidance
- Demonstrable ability to motivate and enthuse others
- Preference for working in multicultural environments
- Political judgement backed by a diplomatic and sensitive working style
- Collaborative and supportive approach to teamwork.
Application Deadline: 8th May 2013
An application form (CVs will not be accepted) can be found on the jobs and volunteering page of our
website www.fairtradeafrica.net.
website www.fairtradeafrica.net.
If you have any queries,
please e-mail recruitment@fairtradeafrica.net or call +254202721930 and
ask to speak to a member of the Admin team.
Qualified applicants will be subjected to background checks as a condition of employment.
The final hiring decision is anticipated end of May 2013 for a preferred start date of 1st July 2013.
Completed applications should be e-mailed to recruitment@fairtradeafrica.net
All applicants should
state how they meet essential requirements of the post and include their
email address, telephone contacts and three referees with contact
details on the application form.
Others:
This job description is
intended as a guide and should not be viewed as an inflexible
specification as it may be varied from time to time in the light of
strategic developments following discussion with the post holder.
The post holder will be
expected to work to agreed objectives, which should facilitate
achievements of key responsibilities in accordance with the Performance
Review Process.
