Communications Manager (m/f)

Description

• World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has been working in Mozambique since 2001, and is currently implementing its second country strategy (2020-2030), whose goal is for WWF MCO to influence and ensure sound management and responsible stewardship and use of Mozambique’s unique biodiversity for the benefit of present and future generations. The strategy, underpinned by the fact that the wellbeing and prosperity of Mozambicans is dependent on nature and that, today, the rate of loss of this life-support system demands urgent and effective action, is anchored around three conservation pillars, namely: i) inclusive conservation of habitats and species; ii) sustainable and equitable livelihoods; and iii) greening the footprint of economic development. The strategy will focus on six priority landscapes and seascapes, namely, Lake Niassa & Lichinga Plateau, Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area, Quirimbas Biosphere Reserve, Zambezi Delta, Primeiras & Segunda Environmental Protected Area, and Inhambane seascape
• Communication, both internal and external, is essential for the successful achievement of our goal, and WWF has set aside the objective to have an effective and efficient communication system that steers the Organization to be recognized as an influential thought leader and credible conservation organization in Mozambique by 2030. WWF is thus seeking to recruit an enthusiastic and innovative Communications Manager to provide leadership to the Communications Units and technical support to the Conservation, Business Development & Policy and Advocacy Units. He/she with providing leadership in enhancing and protecting the reputation of WWF in Mozambique by influencing the opinions, alignment and understanding of key stakeholders by identifying and sharing communication best practices

Duties

• Under the supervision of the Country Director, the Communications Manager as a member of the Senior Management Team of WWF Mozambique will:
• Develop, implement and report on WWF Mozambique’s Communication Strategy in line with and to track delivery of WWF Mozambique Country Strategy (2020-30) goals and objectives including Country Action Plan, content development, Branding Awareness and Digital Strategy to support conservation ambition and impact
• Lead the development of appropriate communications capacity and infrastructure for the Organization and manage the delivery of internal and external communications that will help secure conservation wins, support policy advocacy and fundraising, and strengthen WWF’s profile
• Maintain, improve and strengthen strategic stakeholder, media and public relations and engagement
• In collaboration with the Monitoring and Evaluation Manager, develop and implement effective knowledge management framework for both internal and external audiences

Delivery of communications for the Country Strategy (2020-30) (30%)

• Design and implement WWF MCO communications strategy in support of the Country Strategy, ensuring its complementarity with WWF Africa Communication & Branding Strategy targeting key audiences to build a national profile for WWF and maximize the impact and achievement of conservation programs
• In collaboration with the Business Development Manager and Conservation Manager, develop and implement WWF MCO marketing strategy that leverages the unique strengths of WWF to achieve Mozambique’s ambitious targets for fundraising purposes and portfolio growth including ensuring compliance of internal policy requiring allocation for communication time or positions in projects with $1M or more over project time period, and between 3-5% of budget geared towards communication activities
• Participate in initiating, managing and implementing the results from WWF brand health, stakeholders and perception research and translate the analysis into well-structured implementation of recommendations for corporate communication and marketing initiatives
• Provide technical communications support to conservation projects, and develop communications projects, budgets, and prepare progress reports in a timely manner as per WWF’s reporting standards where necessary
• In collaboration with the IT Officer, coordinate the delivery of the digital communications strategy to ensure that the country office and conservation projects make the best use of technology for key communications activities (e.g. content development for web sites & intranet development, social media and online marketing)
• Frequently visit project locations, beneficiaries and stakeholders for the purpose of supporting project managers and producing appropriate communications materials, stories, articles, audio visuals, presentations, radio and television programmes

Develop Organizational communications capacity (25%)

• Coordinate the development and deployment of an engaging and compelling WWF MCO internal and external communications infrastructure to support WWF brand visibility in Mozambique and beyond
• Build and lead an effective communications unit with the right skills and expertise to improve on established internal and external communications processes
• Regularly conduct communications knowledge gap assessment among staff and partners, and develop and execute necessary communication capacity building activities such as trainings on telling impactful stories, messaging, behaviour change communication
• Act as focal point for WWF MCO in communications activities within the WWF Network, and manage third party consultants providing communications good and services to WWF MCO
• Use communications effectively to protect WWF MCO reputation and to successfully manage crises, which might occur and ensure consistent application of the brand guidelines across Mozambique
• In collaboration with the IT Officer, expand use of social-media platforms to foster dialogue, facilitation exchange and dissemination of information as well as the building of lasting and harmonious relationships

Strategic stakeholder, media and public relations and engagement (25%)

• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with targeted print and broadcast media, and enhance and strengthen WWF’s overall position and profile in Mozambique
• Execute and monitor media strategies and activities, including press conferences, briefings, press releases, and other media presence
• Manage press inquiries and pursue opportunities for promoting WWF’s work in Mozambique and region
• Play the role of public relations focal point for WWF MCO and lead in the organization and delivery of important events for the Country Office including Earth Hour and other commemorations of international significance for WWF
• Strengthen WWF brand recognition in key markets and audiences in Mozambique (Media, Partners, Donors, Governments and the Public)
• Interpret the current views and perceptions of key stakeholders in the country, and develop communications plans to positively influence their opinions and behaviors in line with WWF’s values and the delivery of MCO Strategic Plan (2020-30)
• In collaboration with the Senior Environmental and Social Safeguards Officer, raise awareness and strengthen and ensure effective and proper usage of the Complaints and Grievances Redress Mechanisms at the office and community levels in our 6 targeted Landscapes and Seascapes
• In collaboration with the policy and advocacy unit, work to leverage celebrity endorsers/champions, increase use of advertising in public places (airports, malls etch), and engage youth through effective implementation of a youth engagement strategy

Knowledge management for effective communications (20%)

• Strengthen the use of existing communications platforms in WWF MCO (e.g., intranet, WebEx, teleconferences) for effective internal communication and ensure maximum participation of WWF staff in key decisions and processes
• Coordinate with Departmental heads at WWF MCO in ensuring communications impact for brand building and stakeholders’ engagement
• Oversee the production of information materials including print, audio-visual, social media, website, photographs and other footage documenting WWF’s work and successes in the country
• Maintain and up-date regularly the WWF MCO pages on WWF International’s www.panda.org website
• Work conservation and M&E teams to produce and commission, as appropriate, documentation of stories and lesson learnt editorials, features, advertisements, brochures, fact sheets, briefings, position papers, newsletter etc., on key WWF issues
• Performs other duties as requested by the Country Director

Requisites

• Excellent interpersonal skills, written, verbal and non-verbal communication, specifically in both English and Portuguese
• Self-confident and well rounded, with the capacity to understand multiple perspectives and cultural diversity and deal with those differences diplomatically
• Track record of breaking down silos between business and support functions and working across an entire organization
• Flexibility and change orientation with ability to balance competing priorities
• Understanding of the wider strategic context, both internally and externally
• Able to demonstrate a range of communication and influencing styles to suit a wide range of stakeholders
• Demonstrates leadership in suggesting ideas and persuading others to follow
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and manage a number of conflicting and frequently changing priorities
• Communication skills – interpersonal, presentation and written
• Flexibility and adaptability to rapid environmental changes
• Problem analysis and resolution
• Energetic, enthusiastic and likeable

Notes

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted
• Internal – Reports directly to the Country Director and works closely with the Conservation Manager, Heads of Units, WWF ROA Director for Communications, other Country Office teams in the region
• External – The role will interface and works closely with key partners and actors (media, governmental, private sector representatives, national and regional forums, civil society bodies) in Mozambique and donor partners (bilateral and multilateral) in Mozambique and in the region to achieve the set objectives and impact