Communications Advisor – Uganda | ReliefWeb

Communications Advisor

C5

Duty Station: Kampala

Contract Terms: 12 months, Renewable

Reporting Lines: Country Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Manager

No direct line management role

Key Relationships: Head of Programs, Country Director and Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications.

Background: War Child Canada is an international charity organization registered in Toronto, Canada, dedicated to helping children and their communities overcome the devastating effects of active and post war. Its vision is “Accelerating Peace by disrupting the cycle of violence” and its mission is “Driving Generational Change For The Hardest Hit By Investing In The Power Of Local Communities”

Since being founded in 1999, War Child Canada has worked in 20 countries across the world and we are currently operational in Afghanistan, Yemen, Sudan, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda.

During the past five years, War Child Canada reached over 2,500,000 conflict-afflicted children and adults; 985,000 people benefitted from War Child’s educational initiatives; 480,000 people were helped to climb out of poverty and 1,075,000 people learned more about their rights and had better access to justice systems

War Child Canada in Uganda: Since 2014, War Child Canada has worked in 10 districts, mainly Refugee hosting, and implementing programs on integrated education, access to justice (incudes peacebuilding), and livelihoods in the districts of: Adjumani, Obongi, Yumbe, Arua, Koboko, Isingiro, Lamwo, Kikuube, Koboko and Kamwenge districts.

War Child Canada implements an integrated education, livelihoods, and access to justice program in Uganda. War Child Canada’ education program in Uganda focuses on improving access to education, and relevant learning outcomes of refugee and host community children through mainly primary and lower secondary Accelerated Education Program (AEP), adolescent youth skilling and education service delivery strengthening. War Child Canada’s protection/access to justice program in Uganda is aimed at contributing towards improving the protection of refugee and host community women and children against violence, through the provision of direct free legal aid services and psychosocial support. Our opportunities/livelihood program component aims at strengthening the economic empowerment of vulnerable refugee and host community women, girls and youth through vocational skills and entrepreneurship development, and income generation and employment opportunities.

Position Summary: The Communications Advisor is a country-wide support role that reports and works closely with the Country MEAL Manager.

He/ She will provide strategic communications support to War Child Canada through the development and implementation of high-quality communications and public engagement strategies that effectively describe and promote War Child Canada’s visibility, mission, vision, and core values before the stakeholders and facilitate effective, efficient, and focused programming at the national level.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Communication and Communication for Development (C4D)

• Define and maintain standard internal and external communications processes, methodologies, and guidance documents in line with War Child Canada standards.
• Engage in strategic communications planning and processes that strengthen the organization’s Public Image and raise public awareness about the War Child Canada’s mandate.
• Take a lead in developing project-based communications plans for all WCC projects at proposal and project implementation level.
• Develop and implement a Communication strategy for War Child Canada’s policy dialogue, outreach, visibility, public communication and resource mobilization with the donors, key stakeholders, and the public in close cooperation with the Project Development Advisor.
• Lead in the development and production of high-quality, audience-appropriate print and digital knowledge products, including publications, blog posts, documentaries, social media products, infographics, publication design, success stories, photo essays, review of technical briefs, reports, fact sheets, conference abstracts and presentations.
• Support the collection and analysis of information, evidence and experience emerging from country office projects for dissemination to interested development partners, government, media, and the public.
• Contribute to the preparation of annual work plans and progress reports in a timely fashion for submission the donors.
• Actively participate in the preparation of conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions and consultative meetings.
• Formulate, initiate, and develop capacity building initiatives to the Country Office staff on communication policies and visibility through delivery of training workshops, one on one sessions and online trainings targeting War Child Canada staff including field staff on C4D while in beneficiary communities. Manage and coordinate relationships with key partners and provide technical inputs to senior management’s public communications.

Knowledge Management

• Prepare, update, and systematically disseminate relevant knowledge management materials, actively promote visibility products and campaigns, contribute to disseminating project results to management, donors and other strategic partners including by use of social media.
• Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Participate in the development and implementation of WCC’s project learning Agenda and ensure that knowledge management activities are implemented according to established War Child Canada standards and policies.
• Synthesize and share lessons learned in effective knowledge management strategies and activities.
• Write regular updates and news digests on current refugee situation and matters impacting the work in Uganda and region for HQ and donor use.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• The applicant must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, or other related qualifications is required.
• At least seven years of relevant knowledge management experience with NGOs in at least one of War Child Canada’s programming sectors (education, livelihoods, justice), including youth entrepreneurship.
• Experience in strategy development.
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment, juggling multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated track record in communication for development (C4D) and strategic advocacy and communications at a country level.
• Superior networking capability, paired with strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills; substantive ability and presence to represent War Child Canada, as well as to interact effectively with senior management and with other units around results.

Skills and Abilities:

• People management or relationship skills i.e., thrives in diversity
• Problem solver in complex environments and works with minimal supervision.
• Extremely flexible and accommodating in a difficult and sometimes insecure working environment.
• Proven oral and written communications skills and demonstrated presentation and facilitation skills.
• Highly proficient writing and verbal communication skills; adept at cross-cultural communication.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak fluent English. Must be proficient at Microsoft Office and basic graphic design software.

Personal Attributes:

• Affinity with War Child Canada’s mandate.
• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience and diplomacy.
• Creative, energetic, adaptable, and flexible.
• Stress-resilient to be able to cope with deadlines and complex problems.
• Flexible and accommodating in a difficult and sometimes insecure working environment.
• Strong team-oriented personality & previous experience working in a team environment
• Willingness and ability to travel outside Kampala