Communications Expert Verified listing

MAIN DUTIES

- Review the existing project documents, communication and visibility materials already produced, and relevant sector development policies and strategies for the approval of the project manager.

- Collaborate proactively with project experts spearheading various program components to design, develop, and update comprehensive project briefs and dynamic progress presentations. Anticipate and plan for the quarterly requirements of high-quality project brochures, interactive 3D models, engaging project documentaries, and other visibility materials. Ensure these communication assets effectively convey key PAIDAR-related messaging to diverse stakeholders, fostering greater understanding and engagement with the programme's goals and achievements.

- Closely communicate with programme management team to understand the programme approach and targets. Review and study key documents, guidelines and frameworks as the background documents for development of the communications and visibility strategy of PAIDAR programme, as well as a communications and visibility strategy of PRS.

- In collaboration with Programme Management Team develop PAIDAR corporate identity for the interventions/events/expos. The corporate identity must embody PAIDAR purpose, objectives and approach to sustainable poverty reduction across Sindh.

- Establish trusted, mutually respected working relationship with programme management team and experts, to ensure efficient and effective development and implementation of the communications and visibility strategy of the programme.

- Collaborate, guide and advise the programme implementing partners (IPs) to ensure consistent PAIDAR branding across all components. Train IPs to independently produce high-quality communication materials while maintaining message alignment. Develop a workflow to monitor and evaluate IP communications for effectiveness and consistency.

- With regards to various interventions of PAIDAR, map programme stakeholder and audience groups from public, private and civil society sectors across Sindh, and at National Level. For each stakeholder/audience group identify the most effective means of communications. For      each stakeholder/audience group identify the relevant message, information and knowledge products.

- Review and if necessary update the Programme Communications and Visibility Strategy and Plan in accordance with the approved Action Document.

Prepare creative and innovative approaches to promote PAIDAR programme and ensure its outreach and visibility.

- Develop and propose innovative advocacy campaigns to promote the PAIDAR programme and its objectives around key UN observances, such as International Women’s Day, 16 Days of Activism, and Human Rights Day, fostering awareness and driving stakeholder engagement.

- Develop mechanisms for two-way communication between PAIDAR and the stakeholders; through which programme stakeholders could reach out to the programme team, share their opinion and provide feedback. Ensure stakeholder feedback are consolidated and reported to the programme management team for identifying reaction and/or response.

- Develop guidelines for preparation of various information, knowledge and communication and promotional materials (e.g., for articles in newspaper, or tweet, or programme newsletter, etc.). Train programme experts to use templates for initial proposing and drafting of relevant information and knowledge products. Work closely with programme expert team to prepare information and knowledge product for publishing.

- Create and maintain PAIDAR social media account; following strictly the PAIDAR corporate identify as well as EU and UNIDO visibility guidelines; create content for the social media account and ensure increase follower based in various platforms.

- Coordinate design, roll-out and maintenance and update of the PAIDAR website.

- Coordinate closely with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning team to ensure MEL outputs are taken up for communication with the right audience and via the right channel, contributing to the overall goals and objectives of the strategy.

- Coordinate development of promotional materials videos, newsletter, brochures, etc. Create content in collaboration with programme experts and when necessary through contracting out to external service providers (i.e. graphic designer, etc.)

- Identify local partner institutions, experts and service providers to be engaged for undertaking of various activities under the Communications and Visibility strategy when needed. Draft Terms of Reference and/or job descriptions when required.

- Liaise and maintain good relations with other media outlets, news agencies, individual influencers, etc. to ensure communication of programme information and news via secondary channels.

- Develop quarterly, bi-monthly and/or annual progress report for submission to counterparts, donor and UNIDO internal monitoring process on Communication and Visibility strategy implementation.

- Support the Government of Sindh to develop a brand for Poverty Reduction Strategy (e.g. Sustainable Sindh); and develop a communication and visibility strategy in support of promoting the poverty reduction strategy as the GoS’s central, inclusive and sustainable strategy to foster economic growth and improve livelihood of the poor across Sindh.

- Perform other related activities related to communications and visibility as requested by PMU and as per needs of the programme.

Education: Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in communication, journalism, public/media relations, international relations or other relevant discipline is required.

Technical and Functional Experience:

• At least 3 years of professional experience in public relations, communications, developing communication/visibility strategy or advice for promoting technical cooperation projects at national level is required.
• A proven track record of successful development and implementation of communication and visibility strategy of international development projects.
• Strong editorial judgment, including ethical and political awareness, is desirable.
• Experience in writing news summaries and other press materials is required. Hands on with planning, executing and monitoring internal and/or external communications strategies.
• Experience in producing, editing and disseminating multimedia content for online audiences, ideally for media outlets, NGOs, or other international institutions; using advanced tools for online publishing, including content management systems and social media authoring tools like Social Flow, Hootsuite or Tweet Deck. Possess functional knowledge and/or personal experience with self-hosted WordPress CMS based websites, is desirable.
• Capable of producing and interpreting web or social media analytics to inform strategies and work plans, is desirable.
• Strong editorial judgment, including ethical and political awareness, is desirable.
• Experience in tailoring key messages to different target audiences, advocacy is desirable.
• Experience/knowledge of networks with national media is desirable.
• Experience/Knowledge of other development agencies and donors in the country is desirable.
• Knowledge of and proficiency with multiple creative applications required, including Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere, Final Cut Pro, and website editing software is desirable.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of Urdu is desirable.