Apply: Girls Not Brides Communications Officer

By Gift Ejeh Ojima
March 14, 2024

Deadline: 31 March, 2024

Location: Dakar, Senegal, or Nairobi, Kenya

Girls Not Brides is seeking to fill the position of Communications Officer.

Girls Not Brides is a global organisation 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.

Responsibilities

Support the development and implementation of a regional communications strategy for the region
Support the production of regional communications materials, including but not limited to, newsletters, mail-outs, infographics, fact-sheets, etc
Identify key moments throughout the year to highlight the organisation’s digital communications channels and drive external awareness of key campaigning opportunities, such as international days
Work with the Girls Not Brides global communications and Africa teams to identify and contribute stories from the region – including through engagement with member organisations – that can be used across digital channels and support organisational storytelling
Work closely with the Girls Not Brides global communications and Africa teams to ensure the region is represented in a context-specific way across its global communications channels, including the update and translation of key documents in English and French
Provide technical support to Girls Not Brides members, coalitions and national partnerships as needed in their communications, as well as support any communications training and capacity-building sessions, if needed
Contribute to campaigns and other influencing and advocacy initiatives in the region and prioritised countries
Lead communications roles within the Africa team, as required, including drafting copy for Girls Not Brides’ channels. Some translation and proofreading support may be required
Develop and maintain relationships with influential traditional and emerging media to raise awareness of child marriage, Girls Not Brides and member organisations in the African region
Work collaboratively with the Africa regional team and global communications team to prepare all media outreach activities in support of Girls Not Brides initiatives, such as supporting the drafting of op-eds, quotes, press releases, media briefs, media pitches, and organising media engagement activities around events, country visits and/or member meetings
Brief and prepare the regional team and Girls Not Brides member organisations for media interviews and engagements
Commit to the mission and vision of Girls Not Brides, putting 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 organisations, partners and other stakeholders
Comply with Girls Not Brides policies and processes, with particular note for safeguarding, ethical communications, the code of conduct and data protection
Ensure that internal databases and monitoring information are kept up-to-date
Commit to ongoing personal development and learning
Fulfil any other reasonable requests for the advancement of the Girls Not Brides mission

Requirements

Significant professional experience in a similar role in the not-for-profit sector, an international/intergovernmental organisation, a social movement or social enterprise
Experience working on sensitive issues in a balanced way, rooted in strong safeguarding protocols and the ‘do no harm’ principle, with a focus on solutions-driven messaging rather than sensationalism
Experience in developing story ideas and creative communications concepts
Experience in supporting non-specialists to develop relevant communications technical skills and materials
Proven knowledge of human rights-based and feminist approaches and experience in working with young people and adults at risk through ethical communications
Experience in collaborating across teams working in different geographies in a global organisation
A good understanding of civil society organisations and the regional context regarding gender equality in Africa
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and French
Experience in supporting the development and delivery of communications strategies
Strong news sense and an ability to spot newsworthy opportunities to raise the profile of Girls Not Brides and its member organisations
Familiarity with 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 support the organisation and implementation of successful media visits and media-focused events
Highly reliable, organised, proactive and capable of independent judgment
Ability to work quickly and effectively under pressure, prioritise and juggle multiple tasks within tight deadlines, and deliver time-sensitive, high-quality work
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 organisations and young women from a wide range of backgrounds