Freelance Communications Manager

OVERALL PURPOSE
The overall purpose of this consultancy is to lead, develop and implement communications strategies for GP MENA and create effective communication concepts and storytelling for campaigns and fundraising, for a period of 5 months, during the maternity leave of GP MENA Communications Manager. The period of the consultancy service agreement shall be from September 1, 2020, to January 31, 2021.

SCOPE
The consultant will have to develop and execute communications strategies for Greenpeace MENA. The consultant responsibilities extend beyond the territories where the position is based, as s/he may be assigned to work on projects which require global communication efforts or involve multiple Greenpeace offices.

RESPONSIBILITIES

COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY Lead and coordinate the development and formulation of GP MENA communications strategy in line with the organization’s and campaigns’ strategies and objectives. Establish strategy, standards, and protocols for the operation of MENA Communications to ensure consistency and delivery against the agreed objectives. Maintain an overview of key external developments. Adjust communication plans according to internal needs and external trends in a timely and decisive manner.

MENA ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES Contribute to the development, review, and refinement of GP MENA engagement strategies, including protocols and standards for output by providing timely input and feedback to GP MENA engagement team based on their own domain of expertise and experience.

STRATEGIC EDITORIAL WRITING & REVIEW Provide editorial decisions that leverage a mix of traditional and social media platforms to prepare and distribute relevant content globally and regionally, both proactive and reactive. Suggest content, provide insight on which story angles will be most effective for the region and advise campaign projects on forthcoming opportunities. prepare and/or edit blogs and press materials, including press releases, Q&As, backgrounders,
and features, where necessary.

KNOWLEDGE OF MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGIES Stay abreast of new and developing communication technologies and media channels in order to ensure that Greenpeace is poised to capitalize on new platforms as they emerge. Maintain a strong understanding and up-to-date knowledge of the media landscape in the MENA region.

RELATIONSHIP BUILDING AND NETWORKING Build and maintain relationships with key media influencers, including the news media and bloggers, as well as internal stakeholders in National Regional Offices and Greenpeace International.

STAFF MANAGEMENT Set up, manage and evaluate a multidisciplinary communications team. Recruit, retain and develop staff, ensuring that the comms team meets its output objectives. Act as a manager for the Comms team and supervise daily operations, assigning tasks and priorities.

BUDGETING Develop, monitor and authorize the expenditure of communication strategies within her/his responsibility, according to agreed objectives and the priorities to ensure cost-effectiveness and strategic expenditure of the allocated budget. Negotiate an appropriate level of budget necessary for a campaign/project with a relevant party.

RESPONSIVE COMMUNICATION AND RAPID RESPONSE In conjunction with Greenpeace MENA Programme Team, coordinate regional communications response to external events or incidents that offer opportunities for the organisation and/or reputational threats to the organization.

MEDIA MONITORING Set-up real-time monitoring across relevant communications streams (traditional and social media) in the region to identify opportunities for reactive media relations and campaigning, as well as Greenpeace’s impact on relevant public conversations.

LEADING PROJECTS Lead the development and delivery of specific campaign projects. The work is likely to involve all or some of the following techniques: providing strategic direction and inspiring stakeholders, project management, non-violent direct action, public communication and engagement activities, media work, political and corporate work and the use of legal and scientific approaches to issues, legal compliance and reporting.

MONITORING, EVALUATION AND REPORTING Evaluate the project’s progress and shortcomings at designed points of evaluation, and draft campaign progress and annual reports. Ensure that learning from evaluations is incorporated in future work.

OTHER Any other duty, as appropriate to the post and as delegated

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE
Experience & Education:

• A minimum of 5 years of significant professional experience in Communications
• A proven track record of developing & delivering successful communications strategies including the ability to formulate and implement a comms strategy solely, and within teams and to bring creativity in the identification and exploitation of media opportunities
• Graduate or Postgraduate degree (Masters) preferably in communications or journalism.
• Good media/journalist connections, especially in the MENA region Organizational Competencies
• Excellent command of the Arabic and English language. French is a plus

Organizational Competencies:

• Ability to build strong interpersonal relationships, in particular working with cross-cultural and global teams.
• Good planning and organizing abilities 
• Good time management
• Ability to lead, motivate and instil passion
• Innovative
• Autonomous, flexible and agile.
• Knowledge sharing - Values diversity, in particular, experience in working in an international environment and coordination of rollouts across global markets.