Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it’s girls who are most affected.

Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.

We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 85 years, and are now active in more than 80 countries.

ROLE PURPOSE

The Roving Communications Coordinator leads the coordination of Plan International Ethiopia’s media and external communications work during major complex emergencies. The role requires a savvy and strategic media operator with a strong eye for engaging content and first-hand experience in leading communications in complex humanitarian settings with highly networked partners.

ACCOUNTABILITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• During major, high-visibility humanitarian disasters, set up the strategy, systems and procedures required to ensure the timely internal coordination and external positioning of Plan International Ethiopia’s response

• Regularly engage with regional & global communications teams to provide tactical and strategic support relating to humanitarian emergencies

• Develop strong relations with CI Secretariat’s advocacy, humanitarian and fundraising teams to shape messaging and approaches for initiatives to maximize their communications value and effectiveness

• Lead the development and media dissemination of public-facing reports and analysis

• Act as a ‘bridge builder’ connecting and coordinating influencing and communications teams around the world to boost efficiency, message alignment and impact.

• Provide strategic and expert guidance on humanitarian communications practices and innovations across Plan International Ethiopia.

• Oversee Plan International Ethiopia’s regional, global & national offices’ approach to humanitarian communications.

• Support journalists to identify and mobilize compelling content and stories to engage global media outlets and elevate Plan International Ethiopia’s humanitarian response profile.

Content Development and Sharing Including Website and Social Media Content 

• Develop and share quality communication materials: take photographs, and capture project highlights to be shared with relevant actors (for example suitable for social media, as PowerPoints and written reports).

• Write content for both print and web including the organization’s website, brochures, bulletin and newspaper.

• Sharing of relevant information with the country office (CO) and National Office (NO) networks for learning and scaling up best practices

• Develop relevant case stories and share to the donors, partners, Regional Hub, National Offices and Global Hub.

• Develop and ensure implementation of effective communication plans for projects in consultation with the relevant program team at the country office and program areas, etc.

• Collect strategic information and present it to the Head of Influencing and Communication for further advocacy work with communities, local authorities, policymakers, judiciaries, and youths. 

Provide Internal Communication Support

• Ensure organizational initiatives and projects related information are timely and successfully communicated to stakeholders. 

• Work closely with Business development and program team to fulfill donor and project communication requirements and compliance.

• Prepare messages, speeches, talking points, or scripts for senior executives in written and spoken form

• Ensure internal communications messages are consistent across all mediums and for different departments of the organization. 

• Provide technical support for staff to develop their communication and writing skills.

• Ensure the proper use of Plan International brand Identity guidelines, communication protocol, and other related guidelines across the organization. 

• Prepare the senior leadership team and other staff for media appearances and interviews. 

• Working closely with and supporting the Head of Influencing and Communications and other senior leadership teams on crisis communication management and response.

External Communication and Networking

• Coordinate and communicate timely with other development networks with key decision makers, and liaison with national media

• Implement development strategies successfully to raise the awareness of the public and relevant bodies about Plan for gaining support to work together for the causes of high attritions.

• Network with existing and new partners and coordinate with them to receive and share strategic information

   Event Management and Campaigns

• Coordinate Plan International engagement in important events at the community, municipal, zonal, regional, and national levels.

• In liaison with other communication, programme, and operation staff, coordinate advocacy and campaigning initiatives to Plan global and local campaigns, ensuring appropriate messages and means to the local context.

• In liaison with other communication and program staff, ensure the production and dissemination of position papers and position statements, key messages on the campaign themes.

• Facilitate the participation of youths and community representatives in various campaigns and events.

External: The job holder has a close working relationship externally with the following departments and/or functions:

• Implementing Partner: To provide technical support; to train the team on brand identity guidelines, communication protocol and content collection for story writing

• Government Offices: to facilitate permit and arrange meetings and interviews; provide technical support whenever needed; and facilitate events along with other Communication, program and operation team members, and implementing partners

• Visibility item suppliers: to see and check visibility items quality along with graphic designer and web administrator and logistic team; to check visibility items quality as per the organization standard 

• Printing house: To check and follow up publications; to provide technical support as per the guideline if needed

• Media: service subscription; arrange press tour; facilitate payments

Safeguarding Children and Young People (Safeguarding) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) 

• Understands and puts into practice the responsibilities under Safeguarding and GEI policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), ensuring that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

• Ensures that all staff signed safeguarding policies;

• Implement Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in day to day work.

Job Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications/ Experience Essential:

• Bachelor's degree in Mass Communications, Journalism, Development Communication, Behavioral Communication, Literature or Social Sciences.

• Strong experience in designing communication materials and campaigns on social issues such as child rights, human rights, workers' rights, gender-based violence or child exploitation and abuse.

• Proficiency in MS office tools, publisher, Adobe InDesign and Adobe Photoshop.

Qualifications/ Experience Desirable:

• Five years of related experience with international NGOs or multinationals pertinent work experience preferably related to children and human rights.

• Good media relations and knowledge of social media

Languages Required:

• Fluency in English and Amharic language is essential (perfect written and spoken)

• Knowledge of other local and international language is desirable

Plan International’s Values in Practice

We are open and accountable

We create a climate of trust inside and outside the organisation by being open, honest and transparent. We hold ourselves and others to account for the decisions we make and for our impact on others, while doing what we say we will do.

We strive for lasting impact

We strive to achieve significant and lasting impact on the lives of children and young people, and to secure equality for girls. We challenge ourselves to be bold, courageous, responsive, focused and innovative.

We work well together

We succeed by working effectively with others, inside and outside the organisation, including our sponsors and donors. We actively support our colleagues, helping them to achieve their goals. We come together to create and implement solutions in our teams, across Plan International, with children, girls, young people, communities and our partners.

We are inclusive and empowering

We respect all people, appreciate differences and challenge inequality in our programmes and our workplace. We support children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and to change their own lives. We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential.

How to Apply

The closing date for the application is April 07, 2023. Qualified candidates should submit their application with the links provided below.

For internal applicants:

For external applicants:

This position is only open to Ethiopian Nationals, who must be eligible to live and work in Ethiopia.

Please note that: 

• Only Shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

• We are not accepting CVs that are not sent through the indicated links.

• Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.

• Female candidates are highly encouraged to Apply

More information about Plan International can be found on http:// plan-international.org

References will be taken and background and anti-terrorism checks will be carried out in conformity with Plans Child Protection Policy. Plan operates an equal opportunities policy and actively encourages diversity, welcoming applications from all persons meeting the skills and experience required.

As an international child centered community development organization, Plan International is fully committed to promoting the realization of children's rights including their right to protection from violence and abuse. That means we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organization, do everything we can to keep children safe. We must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.