HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS - AFRICA

Background

This is an incredibly exciting time for World Animal Protection. With a new global brand and a new high-impact global strategy, we are set to transform the lives of millions of animals around the world.

At World Animal Protection, we have worked to expose animal cruelty and prevent animal suffering for more than 30 years. Working with individuals, organizations and governments across the globe, our vision is a world where animals live free from suffering with campaigns ranging from, ending the mass suffering of industrially farmed animals to protecting animals in disasters.

The Team at the Africa Regional Office is seeking a Head of Communications as a key step in building the organization’s brand and drive our global communications strategy through the region and lead communications success in our regional and global campaigns.

Main Purpose of Role

The Head of Communications will provide communications leadership, support and hands on communications expertise to the Africa team, in order to position World Animal Protection as the leading animal protection organisation in the region.

The incumbent will be reporting to the Regional Director for Africa.

Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership, strategy & planning

• Implementation of the global communication strategy at regional level and development of a communication and advocacy strategy for the Africa Regional Office.
• Ensuring integration and provision of communication and digital related support to the four key programme areas and support functions of the Africa office.
• Provide strategic communications input and leadership into the planning and delivery of campaign communications, clearly prioritizing the activities which will have the greatest impact on our external audiences.
• Identify how to track the profile of our organization in key markets – including brand tracking, media monitoring and social media engagement
• Support and ensure that all communications to stakeholders, media, supporters and public are aligned with the World Animal Protection brand and consistent on a global and local level
• Training programmatic and external affairs team on storytelling, how to identify communications opportunities in their campaigns and how to prioritize those which will have the biggest external impact.

Media:

• React and respond to breaking news stories – positioning World Animal Protection as the leading NGO on key issues related to animal protection
• Build our media presence in the region, proactively planning our approach and identifying and pitching to key contacts

Digital:

• Play a leadership role in the development of a digital platform for Africa that will serve the Africa office and align closely with the international digital strategy
• Oversee the development and management of a website for the Africa office (working closely with the Digital Officer and International digital team)
• Develop and oversee the development of a social media engagement and content strategy for the region

Person Specification

Key Qualifications and Experience

• Degree in Journalism, Communications, Marketing or other relevant subject
• At least 4 years' senior level experience in communications or public relations - either within the private, public or charity sector
• Strategic brand and digital experience
• Proven media experience
• Strong awareness of global and regional socio-economic, political and environmental issues
• Proven experience in working in Africa

Skills/Competencies

• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
• Strong interpersonal, networking and organizational skills
• Demonstrated facilitation and collaboration skills
• Skilled at managing remote multi-disciplined teams
• Excellent project management skills
• Ability to foster mutual co-operation and good working relationships across internal departments and teams
• Flexibility to travel
• English is the working language at World Animal Protection, although knowledge of another language would be beneficial

HOW TO APPLY:

If you are interested in the above position and meet the criteria, please send your application via email to: africarecruitment@worldanimalprotection.org referencing the job title. The applications should reach us on or before 18th March, 2016 at 5.00 pm East African Time. The anticipated start date of employment for this position is 3rd May, 2016.