ChildFinance Director of Marketing and Communications

Child and Youth Finance International (also known as ChildFinance International) www.childfinance.org

Child and Youth Finance International is an international, multi-stakeholder movement that seeks to promote financial education and financial inclusion for children under the age of 18. Child and Youth Finance International stresses the importance of early financial education of a high standard supported by a financial system that promotes access to safe and transparent financial products and services for children and youth.

Child and Youth Finance International is currently seeking: Director of Marketing and Communications

The Director will be responsible for the following:
Day to day management - Accountable to the Managing Director, the Director to ensure that the departments under his/her purview remain on target and most closely involved in the following:

1.Responsible for planning, development and implementation of all of the Organization’s marketing strategies, marketing communications, and public relations activities, both external and internal. Responsible for the development and implementation of support materials and services for chapters in the area of marketing, communications and public relations. Directs the efforts of the marketing, communications and public relations staff and coordinates at the strategic and tactical levels with the other functions of the Organization.

2.Advocacy - working with the Managing Director to ensure that Child and Youth Finance is being represented in international arenas and that CYFI is being raised as a topic in the agenda of key global institutions.

The priorities in this role include:

Marketing, communications and public relations
1. Responsible for implementing and measuring the success of:
• a comprehensive marketing, communications and public relations program that will enhance the Organization’s image and position within the marketplace and the general public, and facilitate internal and external communications; and,
• all Organization marketing, communications and public relations activities and materials including publications, media relations, client acquisition and so forth.

1. Ensure articulation of Organization’s desired image and position, assure consistent communication of image and position throughout the Organization, and assure communication of image and position to all constituencies, both internal and external.
2. Responsible for editorial direction, design, production and distribution of all
3. Coordinate media interest in the Organization and ensure regular contact with target media and appropriate response to media requests.
4. Act as the Organization’s representative with the media.
5. Coordinate the appearance of all Organization print and electronic materials such as letterhead, use of logo, brochures, etc.
6. Develop, coordinate and oversee programs, technical assistance and resource materials to assist chapters in the marketing, communications and positioning of their activities.
7. Provide counsel to chapters on marketing, communications and public relations.
8. Ensure that the Organization regularly conducts relevant market research and coordinate and oversee this activity. Monitor trends.
9. Leads projects as assigned, such as cause-related marketing and special events.

Organizational strategy
1. Work with senior staff, other staff and volunteers to develop and maintain a strategic perspective -- based on marketplace and constituent needs and satisfaction -- in organizational direction, program and services, and decision-making; and, ensure the overall health and vitality of the Organization.

1. Help make sure that the Organization’s philosophy, mission and vision are pertinent and practiced throughout the organization and prevalent throughout speeches, presentations and documents.
2. Develop and coordinate means to seek regular input from the Organization’s key stakeholders regarding the quality of programs and services and the Organization’s relevance.
3. Help formulate and administer policies to ensure the integrity of the Organization.

Managing 1. Maintain a climate that attracts, retains and motivates top quality personnel, both paid and volunteer.

1. Recruit, train, appraise, supervise, support, develop, promote and guide qualified personnel, both paid and volunteer.
2. Ensure effective management within the marketing, communications and public relations function, with provision for succession.
3. Design, support and oversee cross-functional teams throughout the Organization.
4. Effectively enable volunteers and staff so they can take action on behalf of the Organization by:
   a) transmitting the Organization’s values, vision and direction;
   b) engaging people in the meaning of the Organization;
   c) respecting and using the skills, expertise, experience and insights of people;
   d) providing direction and resources, removing barriers and helping develop people’s skills; articulating expectations and clarifying roles and relationships;
   e) communicating which includes helping people transform information into knowledge and learning;
   f) encouraging people to question organizational assumptions and ask strategic questions; ensuring quality decision-making;
   g) anticipating conflicts and facilitating resolution;
   h) engaging people in process as well as tasks; encouraging people use their power,
   i) coaching people to success.

Professional background
Child and Youth Finance International (CYFI) wants to attract a world class Director (m/f) with international work experience and background. The ideal candidate has the following:

• 15 years plus experience in a professional environment in a Marketing/Communications role including executive and management responsibilities. CYFI would like to meet with candidates with both NGO and private sector experience and an affinity with financial inclusion and financial, social and livelihoods education topics.
• Demonstrated skills, knowledge and experience in the design and execution of marketing,communications and public relations activities.
• Strong creative, strategic, analytical, organizational and personal sales skills.
• Experience developing and managing budgets, and hiring, training, developing, supervising and appraising personnel.
• Demonstrated successful experience writing press releases, making presentations and negotiating with media.
• Experience overseeing the design and production of print materials and publications.
• Computer literacy in word processing, data base management and page layout.
• Commitment to working with shared leadership and in cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects at a time.
• Be comfortable interacting with the Supervisory Board and other high-level international stakeholders at a strategic and conceptual level while being sufficient hands-on to be a real team player in a relative small organisation.
• Have a proven track record in attracting, developing and retaining excellent (academically educated) professionals. The candidate should also have abundant experience in public speaking at senior-level conferences.
• Absolute fluency in written and spoken English, additional languages would be considered an asset • Educated to at least a Master’s degree

Competencies

• Results orientation, the successful candidate will have a high level of ambition and goal orientation. He/she will set the highest standards for him/herself and his/her environment. He/she should have shown that he/she can achieve break-through results in challenging and adverse settings • Team leadership, the Marketing and Communications Director will be able to effectively build, lead and manage a small team of driven professionals and interns with various levels of experience. He/she will be recognized as a natural leader and somebody who can delegate not only tasks but also responsibilities. He/she has proven skills in developing people both on a personal and professional level.
• Collaboration and influencing, the Marketing and Communications Director will be a natural team player. He/she should be used to working in complex international settings involving a broad range of different types of stakeholders.
• Strategic orientation, the Marketing and Communications Director will be competent in leading strategy and business plan development processes and is able to translate strategic objectives in specific action plans.
• Commercial orientation, the Marketing and Communications Director will be challenging the status quo and will be the driving force in bringing CYFI to the next level, ‘selling’ the concept to current and international and multinational potential partners and funders while maintaining the integrity of the organization and its mission.

Personal characteristics

It is expected that the candidates will have an unquestioned and high level of professional and personal integrity. The Marketing and Communications Director has a personal commitment and drive ‘to improve the world’ and that of children and youth in particular. He/she is an independent mind and will be autonomous in his/her thinking and decision making. He/she will be dynamic and energetic and show endurance and tenacity.

Location

The secretariat and the Director will be based in Amsterdam, but willingness and ability to travel extensively around the world is required

Compensation

As a charity foundation CYFI adheres to the ‘Wijffels code”. This ensures the Director compensation is competitive, reflecting years and relevance of working experience. The annual compensation is expected to be in the range of Euro 45k-57k including benefits based on full time. If the successful applicant is part time, salary will be pro-rated.

How to apply:

For further information and written applications (a CV with a short letter of motivation) please contact Bram van Eijk, Operations Manager: abram@childfinance.org.

See also www.childfinance.org for more information about Child and Youth Finance International. Tel: 020-5203900.