Communications Officer in Latin America and the Caribbean / Oficial de Communicación para América Latina y el Caribe – Dominican Republic

INTRODUCTION TO GIRLS NOT BRIDES

Girls Not Brides is the only global organization uniquely focused on creating and sustaining a worldwide movement to end child marriage and ensuring that this movement leads to tangible change for the girls at risk or affected by the practice. We are a network of over 1,600 civil society organizations in over 100 countries working in partnership to end child marriage.

Our vision is a world without child marriage where girls and women enjoy equal status with boys and men and are able to achieve their full potential in all aspects of their lives. Our vision challenges deeply embedded social norms that harm the lives of girls, women and their communities.

INTRODUCTION TO THE ROLE

Girls Not Brides: The Global Partnership to End Child Marriage is seeking a Communications Officer to join its team in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The successful individual will report to the Head of LAC and will work closely with the LAC and Communications teams to ensure regional work is represented across our global channels. They will have varied responsibilities including implementing a regional communications strategy that positions and accelerates action to address child early and forced marriage and unions (CEFMU) at the regional and country level.

We are looking for a passionate and talented communications professional, who is good at networking and has demonstrable experience of developing and implementing media and communication strategies on social issues, ideally with previous work experience related to girls, adolescents and women’s rights, employing a feminist approach . The successful candidate will also be confident managing and growing our Spanish-language social media channels.

Job location: Dominican Republic, Guatemala, or Mexico. The successful candidate must have the right to work in their chosen location.

Accountable to: Head of Latin America and the Caribbean, with a dotted line to Director of Communications, Advocacy & Campaigns.

Salary range: Salary and benefits will be adjusted to the location of the successful candidate. Please note that this role will initially be offered on a two-year contract.

Contract: 2-year fixed term contract. The successful candidate will work from home for much of the time with IT and communication equipment and support provided by Girls Not Brides.

ABOUT YOU

As a Communications Officer in LAC, you will work closely with the LAC and Communications teams to strengthen our work and influence in the region and ensure it is represented across our global channels. You will work closely with member organizations in LAC to support their work and representation at the regional and global level and to contribute to further position CEFMU as a key issue at regional and National level in the LAC region.

You will support and engage in strategic planning, contributing your knowledge of the LAC context and member organizations’ work to our regional and global communications strategies. You will also have a strong emphasis on delivery and implementation of communications strategies and plans.

You will play a lead role in media outreach in LAC, and proactively develop media strategies and campaigns to support and highlight the work of Girls Not Brides member organizations in the region and beyond. You will secure quality, in-depth media coverage of CEFMU and how to address it in LAC. You will also be responsible for managing and growing our Spanish-language social media accounts and providing content and stories for the English-language channels, newsletters, donor, and Board updates.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Regional and global communications work

• In close collaboration with the Girls Not Brides Communications and LAC Teams, develop and implement a regional communications strategy for the region – including digital, media, publications etc and support to members – with the objective of positioning CEFMU in the region and highlight the work of Girls Not Brides and its member organizations.
• Identify – with the support of the Girls Not Brides communications and LAC Teams – key moments throughout the year to implement media and digital communications and drive external awareness of key campaigning opportunities.
• Work with the Girls Not Brides Communications and LAC Teams to identify and contribute stories from the region – including through engagement with member organizations – that can be used across digital channels and support organizational storytelling.
• Work closely with the Girls Not Brides Communications and LAC Teams to ensure the region is represented in a context-specific way across our global communications channels, including the update and translation of key documents in Spanish in close collaboration with the Communications Team.
• Manage and grow our Spanish-speaking social media channels, including by drafting and scheduling posts, moderating and replying to comments on Facebook and Twitter, and tracking and analyzing social media engagement and making suggestions for improvement.
• Support members, coalitions and National Partnerships as needed in their comms, as well as do comms training and capacity building sessions, if needed.
• Support campaigns and other influencing and advocacy initiatives in the region and prioritized countries.
• Conduct other communications support as required, including drafting copy for Girls Not Brides’ channels. Some translation and proofreading support may be required.

Media strategy in LAC

• Work collaboratively with the UK based Media and Communications Officer to manage LAC- specific actions and responses through the press office, connecting journalists to member organizations in response to media requests and proactively seeking relevant and newsworthy opportunities to raise the profile of Girls Not Brides as part of an integrated communications approach.
• Develop and maintain relationships with influential traditional and emerging media to raise awareness of CEFMU, Girls Not Brides and member organizations in the LAC region.
• Work collaboratively with the UK based Media and Communications Officer and the LAC Team to prepare all media outreach activities in support of Girls Not Brides initiatives such as drafting Op-Eds, quotes, press releases, media briefs, media pitches, and organizing media engagement activities around events, country visits and / or member meetings.
• Brief and prepare the regional team and Girls Not Brides member organizations for media interviews and engagements, including developing talking points and advising on messaging, and arranging media training where necessary.
• Develop a thorough analysis of trends in reporting on CEFMU in the region and identify opportunities to raise awareness of the issue and the movement in LAC.

Wider Organizational Responsibilities

• Commit to the mission and vision of Girls Not Bridesputting them at the forefront of all planning, work and actions.
• Uphold the values ​​of Girls Not Brides in all areas of work and interactions with colleagues, member organizations, partners and other stakeholders.
• Comply with Girls Not Brides policies and processes, with particular note for safeguarding, the code of conduct and data protection.
• Ensure that internal databases and monitoring information are kept fully up-to-date.
• Commit to ongoing personal development and learning.
• Fulfil any other reasonable requests for the advancement of the Girls Not Brides mission.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential experience

• Significant professional experience in a similar level role in the not-for-profit sector, an international / intergovernmental organization, a social movement or social enterprise.
• Experience of working on sensitive issues in a balanced way with a focus on solutions-driven messaging rather than sensationalism.
• Experience of successfully developing story ideas and creative communications concepts.
• Experience using media monitoring systems such as Vuelio or Meltwater.
• Experience instructing and / or training non-specialists in developing relevant communications technical skills and materials to support this.
• Experience in managing contractors, such as freelance journalists, media consultants, film producers and photographers.
• Experience of working in a media-focused role.
• Experience preparing spokespeople for interviews, including drafting talking points, briefings and messaging frameworks.
• Proven experience of working with national and regional media contacts (in LAC) interested in social issues and securing quality coverage.
• Established network of journalist contacts in the LAC region.
• Proven knowledge of human rights-based and feminist approaches and experience of working with young people and adults at risk to ethical communications.

Essential skills and knowledge

• A good understanding of civil society organizations and the regional context regarding gender equality in LAC.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in Spanish.
• Proven ability to develop and deliver communications strategies.
• Excellent storytelling and media pitching skills.
• Proven ability to write for different audiences.
• A good eye for accuracy and detail and potential implementation challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to implement a successful media strategy at a global and regional level.
• Strong news sense and an ability to spot newsworthy opportunities to raise the profile of Girls Not Brides and its member organizations.
• Expertise in creating quality media content including a demonstrated ability to write engaging, clear and concise copy.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage relationships with journalists, and consultants such as photographers.
• Ability to organize and implement successful media visits and media-focused events.
• Highly reliable, organized, proactive and capable of independent judgment.
• Ability to work quickly and effectively under pressure, prioritize and juggle multiple tasks within tight deadlines, and to deliver time-sensitive high-quality work.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision to meet tight deadlines and juggle multiple priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and an inquisitive and analytical mind.
• Outstanding written communication, creative thinker, and the ability to write for different audiences.
• Willingness to work in a collaborative team and with diverse stakeholders, including an ability to work in different cultural environments, and work sensitively with member organizations and young women from a wide range of backgrounds.

Essential values ​​and attributes

• Strong commitment to the mission and values ​​of Girls Not Brides and our vision in relation to addressing child marriage and the empowerment of girls and women.
• Proactive and able to confidently take initiative and make appropriate decisions.
• Willingness to work flexibly and regularly travel internationally, as necessary.

Desirable

• Proficiency in English is highly desirable.

Safeguarding

Girls Not Brides is committed to safeguarding all children, young people and adults at risk with whom our staff and representatives work and interface. Any employment with Girls Not Brides may be subject to the satisfactory completion of a background check and a criminal records check which can include but is not limited to: an overseas police record check, a Disclosure and Barring Service Check (for those based in the UK) or an International Criminal Record Check (if applicable).

How to apply

Girls Not Brides is an equal opportunities employer. We embrace diversity, equal opportunity and inclusion in a serious way. We are committed to building a staff body that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

The closing date for this role is 18:00 BST on Friday 15 July 2022.

To apply, please visit the job page: https://girlsnotbrides.livevacancies.co.uk/#/job/details/43?target=frame, click the ‘Apply now’ button and submit your CV and a brief cover letter clearly demonstrating how you meet the criteria. You are welcome to submit your application in Spanish or in English.

We regret that due to the large number of applications anticipated, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.