Media, Advocacy And Communications Manager

Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in need around the world. Save the Children has been operating in Lebanon since 1999 and is recognized for its commitment to accountability, innovation and collaboration. Save the Children currently implements programs in Child Protection, Education, CRC, Food Security & Livelihood, Shelter, and Emergency Response throughout Lebanon. Save the Children is seeking qualified candidates to fulfill the following positions, for its Lebanon Country Office, in the following locations Beirut, Tripoli, Akkar and Bekaa: Media, Advocacy and Communications Manager ROLE PURPOSE: The role of the Media and Communications Manager is to lead the team in delivering vital information and communication that enable excellent media and fundraising activities for the Lebanon country programme, members and across Save the Children International (SCI). The post-holder will be responsible for implementing a comprehensive media, advocacy and communications strategy, ensuring smooth flow of information, good relations with high profile visitors and the media, and high-quality reporting to showcase Save the Children's activities and achievements. Additionally, the Communications and Media Manager will work closely with the Regional Office to ensure that external messaging and image are consistent and liaise with SCI members and colleagues.   SCOPE OF ROLE: Reports to: Country Director Dimensions: Save the Children Lebanon country office has a national coverage with a current staff complement of approximately 290 staff and current annual expenditure of approximately $40 million.    KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY: Media and Communications Liaise and maintain contact with members and implement communication activities including facilitating media visits and working within incoming media & communications surge support during emergencies Ensure that the branding and communication guidelines of Save the Children are uniformly and consistently followed across the Lebanon Country Office Proactively develop a high profile for Save the Children in Lebanon (within Lebanon and beyond) through the production of high quality, well researched, and well written products (in a variety of mediums) reflective of the dual mandate port folio, responding quickly and appropriately to external requests for information, especially in emergencies Develop and deliver a clear and effective system for internal communications including the dissemination of  newsletters  and  other  documents  and  publications  for internal stakeholders including being able to scale up the delivery of robust communications material during emergencies per the Rules and Principles and requests from Members and Save the Children International  Advocacy Lead the development of an advocacy strategy for the Lebanon Country Office. Support programme leadership to articulate their top priority advocacy objectives in line with the Country Strategic Plan Identify key opportunities and events for Save the Children Lebanon to position itself as the leading organisation for children’s issues in Lebanon Ensure that Save the Children receives national recognition for achieving proven and innovative national impact from well-managed child development programs and emergency response Support programme leadership and other program staff in their work, including development of a plan for achieving their priority advocacy objectives in both an emergency and development context.  This should include guidelines on the meaningful and safe participation of children in advocacy Be an active member of the Advocacy Working Group within with the Lebanon Humanitarian INGO  Forum initiating and supporting materials to achieve common advocacy goals Work closely with the Regional Media Advocacy and Communications team in delivering materials, formulating policies, providing regular taking points, briefings and updates and helping to plan and support SCI representation at major national and international events Staff Management, Mentorship, and Development – Media, Communications and Advocacy Ensure appropriate staffing within Media, Communications and Advocacy Department Ensure that all staff understand and are able to perform their role Manage Media, Communications and Advocacy team; define expectations, provide leadership and technical support as needed, and evaluate direct reports regularly Ensure the recruitment, training, and promotion of staff as appropriate and ensure availability of appropriate professional development opportunities for staff Incorporate staff development strategies and Performance Management Systems into team building process.  Establish result based system and follow up Effective use of the Performance Management System including the establishment of clear, measureable objectives, ongoing feedback, periodic reviews and fair and unbiased evaluations; Coaching, mentoring and other developmental opportunities; Recognition and rewards for outstanding performance; Documentation of performance that is less than satisfactory, with appropriate performance improvements/ workplans   SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice) Accountability: Holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved Ambition: Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others Future orientated, thinks strategically Collaboration: Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, members and external partners and supporters Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to Creativity: Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions Willing to take disciplined risks Integrity: Honest, encourages openness and transparency   QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE Essential Minimum of 5 years management experience in a media or an NGO environment, with experience in successfully leading the development and implementation of communication and campaign strategies for an international humanitarian organisation in Lebanon Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English Previous experience working with national and international media, ideally in a similar strategic role Experience managing teams and working under pressure and to tight deadlines, such as in a busy press office or media outlet Experience of leading communication activities (including information management) in a challenging environment Excellent IT and Social Media skills and understanding of how it can be used to further our work Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner. Familiarity with child protection and safeguarding issues, including experience with vulnerable populations. Creativity and good eye for a story An initiative-taking, proactive, inspiring attitude with the ability to manage and prioritise an unpredictable workload and solve problems quickly with limited support Strong influencing skills Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy The capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances. Demonstrable track record of leading change which has led to significant results for the organisation and their stakeholders Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mindsets Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner Experience of building personal networks, resulting in securing significant new opportunities for the organisation A strong national and international network within media Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming surge teams, in the event of emergencies Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy in Commitment to the aims and principles of Save the Children. In particular, a good understanding of Save the Children's mandate and child focus. Desirable Excellent understanding of 'Head Office' communication and information needs across fundraising, media and campaigning activities. Master's Degree in communications, or related field Excellent written and spoken Arabic  We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse. Please apply in English using your CV and covering letter as a single document, including your salary expectations for this role. APPLICATION PROCESS  Please note that the closing date for applications is: December 2, 2014   The selection committee will review all applications as they are received. All applicants must meet the minimum requirements described above, and those unable to meet these requirements will not be considered. No further information will be given over the phone.   Please note: due to the critical nature of this recruitment, applications will be reviewed as they are received and successful candidates contacted on an on-going basis.  STARTING DATE: Immediate.  We’re looking for people who can start as soon as possible or within the next few weeks.   Each application package should include the following: •           Job title for the role you are applying for in the subject header of the email •           Cover letter with the applicant’s current contact information •           CV (including detailed work experience, education/degrees)  –  3pages maximum •           Professional References (minimum of three, with complete contact information) •           Kindly do not send supporting certificates and documents at this stage •           Letter and CV should be saved into one Word or PDF document and sent to Lebanonhrb@savethechildren.org   Only short listed candidates will be contacted. We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.  All applicants will also be subject to Save the Children’s usual Child Safeguarding Policy and reference checking process.