Communications and Media Officer at Nile Basin Discourse

NILE BASIN DISCOURSE (NBD)

Engaging Civil Society for Social and Climate Resilience in the Nile Basin Project (P132448)

TERMS OF REFERENCE 

Title: Communications and Media Officer

Date: 17th October 2014
Status: Final
Issued by: Regional Manager, NBD

Reference no.: C&M 17/10/2014

Funded by: CIWA Time 
period: 2 years

Location: Entebbe, Uganda

Reports to: Regional Manager, Nile Basin Discourse

1. Background

The World Bank, as administrator of the Cooperation on International Waterways in Africa (CIWA) Trust Fund has provided support to the Nile Basin Discourse (NBD) for the implementation of a three year project titled: Engaging Civil Society for Social and Climate Resilience in the Nile Basin.

In 2000, the World Bank, IUCN and the WWF also initiated the establishment of the Nile Basin Discourse (NBD) with funding from the World Bank and the MacArthur Foundation. The NBD was established as a civil society network to influence NBI investments. First hosted as an IUCN project, the NBD became an independent, regional NGO in 2002, and has evolved into a network claiming over 800 member organizations throughout the Basin. Member organizations are local and national NGOs working on a range of issues relevant to Nile cooperation, including environmental conservation, gender equity, livelihoods, poverty reduction, and others. The stated mission of the NBD is “to ensure that a fully informed and basin-wide civil society develops and plays a key role in achieving the vision, through pro-active and critical influencing of projects, programs and policies of the Nile Basin Initiative and other development processes.” 

The Nile Basin Initiative’s (NBI) development partners have identified engaging communities and addressing the social impacts of Nile basin investments as a priority going forward. In addition, NBI has developed the Nile Cooperation for Results (NCORE) project in line with its strategic plan. With this endorsement, the World Bank agreed to support a technical assistance project to strengthen the capacity of the NBD. The project will complement the NCORE project and aim to engage civil society more actively in Nile Basin water resources development and management issues. 

The stakeholder feedback based on interviews with a number of stakeholders confirmed three critical roles for the network: (i) a bottom-up communications pipeline for raising the voices of citizens and civil society up to the governmental and regional levels; (ii) a top-down pipeline for educating and informing citizens and civil society on Nile issues and development projects, etc.; and, (ii) a horizontal pipeline between citizens and civil society organizations both within and across national borders for knowledge and capacity sharing. 

While the importance and value of NBD’s role is undisputed by all stakeholders, there is a clear need for strengthening the capacity of the network to fulfill the three core functions outlined above. NBI stakeholders indicated that NBD could engage in projects more constructively than they have at times by ensuring that the “right” players are brought to the table and by developing a more detailed understanding of the country context for investment projects. NBD’s member organizations greatly value the information they get from the NBD on Nile cooperation processes, but there is also a desire for more benefits in terms of capacity building, information, advocacy, and other resources in addition to a desire for more horizontal communication. Three main project components were agreed upon, that would focus on: (i) Strengthening the NBD Secretariat functions; (ii) Strengthening communications and outreach; and (iii) Capacity development of NBD members. 

2. Terms of Reference

Position Title :Communications and Media Officer
Reports to :Regional Manager
Responsible for :Providing media and communications services for NBD.

POSITION SPECIFICATIONS

Specific responsibilities include:

1. Develop strategic communication and marketing plans essential to supporting the goals and objectives of NBD campaigns.

2. Facilitate timely knowledge exchange and dissemination NBD’s virtual platform, face-to-face events and publications 

3. Publicize NBD work in social media spaces, engage in dialogues and answer questions where appropriate.

4. Monitor the news and seek out rapid response opportunities.

5. Track and report on media coverage attained.

6. Write the content for the quarterly Nile Voices, brochures, flyers, reports and other organizational materials, as assigned.

7. Provide regular communications with partners and interested parties through the Nile Voices, Annual Reports, outreach and targeted consultations 

8. Lead the development and implementation of the NBD Communications Strategy and Media Engagement plan 

9. Build and maintain relationships with media/reporters. Develop story ideas and strategies to promote organizational activities and pitch media in markets across the Nile Basin.

10. Write and pitch press releases, op-eds, letters to the editor, blogs, magazine articles. Offer a 24/7 on-call media service and respond to all media requests.

11. Prepare talking points, presentations and other written pieces, and providing media training as needed to maximize response to media inquiries and opportunities.

12. Assist with event and production planning and execution, including supporting staff in identifying various approaches that may increase media interest and securing media attention as relevant.

13.Manage social media campaigns and day-to-day activities: online advocacy, writing editorial, community-outreach efforts, promotions, etc.

14. Any other communications activities as requested.

Qualifications, Skills and Abilities: 

1. Degree in communications, journalism, media relations, marketing or related field 

2. Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience demonstrating delivery of high-quality communications, knowledge-exchange and networking services, including the production of newsletters, websites, events and materials.

3. Proven experience in securing media coverage.

4. Good understanding of international development.

5. Excellent verbal communications, copywriting and editing skills. (Two writing samples required with application, preferably on a relevant topic).

6. Ability to tailor communications to a wide range of audiences and to communicate complex material in a way that is accessible to a broad audience.

7. Ability to work independently with a good attention to detail.

8. Highly organized with the ability to handle multiple projects and priorities and to be responsive to long- and short-lead opportunities. 

9. Proficiency with MS Office – Word, Outlook, Excel.

10. Excellent communication skills in English – writing, speaking and listening, concise and conversational writer; other languages a plus 

11. Articulate, creative, passionate, flexible and tenacious 

12. Familiarity with content management systems, image software (video and still), online communications and main social media tools (Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, youtube, etc) 

13. Knowledge of water resources and sustainability issues preferred 

14. Excellent time and project management skills, ability to manage competing demands with grace and to work well under pressure 

15. Experience in developing and working with networks and partnerships and knowledge exchange projects 

16. Experience working in an international context and ability to work well with people from different cultures and backgrounds 

17. Ability to work as part of a close-knit team and to carry projects forward independently 

Desirable:

1. Strong media contacts within the Nile Basin.

2. Experience managing design and print processes.

3. Experience producing webpages and HTML e-newsletters.

4. Experience in social media outreach and campaigns.

5. A good understanding of fundraising.

6. Experience in securing earned media to advance advocacy objectives.

7. Experience acting as an organizational spokesperson.

8. Experience in interview skills.

9. Background in a non-governmental organization or related consultancy, or government agency.

All NBD employees are expected to demonstrate the following key behaviors: 

- A commitment to achieving results through proactively exploring what should be done to promote equity, sustainable development and to improve the lives of poor people. 

- High levels and unstinting respect and courtesy for all genders, cultures, faiths, social backgrounds and for sufferers of HIV/AIDS, and a commitment to protecting children and vulnerable people. 

- Integrity, honesty and compliance with our ethics policy. 

- Impeccable levels of professionalism, technical rigour, reliability and attention to detail. 

- Constructive, positive and optimistic engagement to turn problems to solutions, challenges to opportunities, and to help people and partners achieve mutual goals. 

We particularly invite women to apply for this position. 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS 
NBD is keen to attract the best candidate for this key position and can offer a regionally competitive salary (range available on request). The role would suit a Nile Basin citizen with relevant experience looking to accelerate their career development through leading this exciting, challenging and globally innovative work. 

The attention of interested applicants is drawn to paragraph 1.9 of the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers January 2011 (“Consultant Guidelines”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. 

The Communication and Media Officer will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultants Selection Method set out in the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers January 2011.

The successful applicant will be based in Entebbe, Uganda, on an initial 3 months contract to be extended on successful completion of this probationary phase. 

Expected start date no later than January 2015. 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE 
Interested and suitably qualified candidates should send the following attachments in an email with ‘NBD APPLICATION’ as the subject heading to hnatu@nilebasindiscourse.org and copy info@nilebasindiscourse.org before 10th November 2014, 17:00 p.m. Entebbe-Uganda time: 

1.A covering letter explaining why they are interested in undertaking this work and how they meet the person specifications, using clear examples from their previous experience. 

2.A current CV with email addresses and telephone numbers of two referees.