Media, Communications and Advocacy Manager

Child Safeguarding:

Level 3 - the responsibilities of the post may require the post holder to have regular contact with or access to children or young people.

ROLE PURPOSE:

The role of the Advocacy, Media and Communications Manager is to lead the team in delivering vital policy and communication that enable excellent influencing, 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 Advocacy, Communications and Media Manager will work closely with the Regional Office to ensure that messaging and image is consistent and liaise with SCI members and colleagues.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Country Director

Staff directly reporting to this post: 2 x Media, Communication and Advocacy Officers

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

External communications/media

• Proactively develop a high profile for Save the Children in the country, region and globally through the production of high quality, well researched, and well written products (in a variety of mediums), responding quickly and appropriately to external requests for information, especially on the refugee situation
• Work with Regional Office Media Manager to identify potential media moments highlighting identified advocacy issues
• Act as spokesperson and facilitate media interviews with CD or designate

Internal communications and information-sharing

• Ensure and oversee a system of regular information dissemination support production of information documents and publications  for the Lebanon program and internal stakeholders
• Ensure and oversee ability to scale up the delivery of robust communications material during emergencies per the agreed protocols and requests from other Members and Save the Children International 

Advocacy and Campaigns

Strategy

• Develop and ensure implementation of Lebanon CO’s advocacy strategy, in coordination with the  programs team, the regional office and the Humanitarian Advocacy Working Group (HAWG).
• Liaise with key UN, NGO and other interlocutors in Lebanon to ensure Save the Children has up to date information on the humanitarian situation and response in the country.

Situation and advocacy analysis

• Working closely with programs, provide analysis of how children in Lebanon have been affected by the humanitarian situation, the national policy responses and policy frameworks, as well as other factors such as UN coordination, funding for the response, security and current and future challenges that have an impact on children and their access to humanitarian assistance, health, education and protection services.
• Define key advocacy opportunities and targets at national and regional levels, if relevant, and if needed mobilize international advocacy support for these.

Campaign Management

• Ensure the roll-out and implementation of Lebanon CO’s national plan for Save the Children’s ‘Every Last Child’ Campaign and ensure that Lebanon is featured in global campaign processes.
• Budget development and management of campaign plan
• Implementation of campaign activities,
• Setting up a coalition, as necessary, to ensure coordination and partner support for campaign issues
• Responsible for developing and ensuring implementation of campaign work plan

Producing advocacy products

• Draft and otherwise support the production of advocacy products as outlined in the advocacy strategy for use at the country, regional and international levels.
• Ensure that all advocacy messages, documents and strategies are evidence-based, drawn from field experience and assessments, of high quality and effective, and are approved by the CD, the Regional Advocacy Director and consulted with the HAWG. When necessary ensure advocacy products are signed-off according to the save the children global sign-off procedures.

Representation and coordination

• Support the CD in advocacy work towards the UN Humanitarian Coordinator, Humanitarian Country Team, key UN agencies, donors and other NGOs, as well as media, if necessary.
• Participate in the Lebanon INGO Forum and lead Save the Children response on advocacy, media and communications initiatives within that group
• Ensure coordination of advocacy messages and activities between the CO and the regional and international levels.
• Ensure that Lebanon situation reports contain advocacy messages and information on advocacy activities and successes.

Staff Management, Mentorship, and Development

• Ensure appropriate staffing within Advocacy, Media and Communications 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 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 

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Minimum of 5 years management experience in 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 and Arabic
• 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, 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 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
• Commitment to the aims and principles of Save the Children. In particular, a good understanding of Save the Children's mandate and child focus
• Excellent understanding of 'Head Office' communication and information needs across fundraising, media and campaigning activities

Desirable

Master's Degree in communications, or related field