Communications and Campaigns Specialist at WaterAid Rwanda | Kigali : Deadline: 25-10-2023

Job Description for Communications and Campaigns Specialist

INTRODUCTION

WaterAid’s Vision is of a world where everyone has access to safe water and sanitation. Our mission is to transform lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in the world’s poorest communities, WaterAid works with partners to maximize its impacts for policy change/influence.

WaterAid Rwanda (WARw) works through supporting local organizations and government to plan and implement inclusive and sustainable services of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). WARw also seeks to influence the policy change through government and other key WASH stakeholders to secure and protect the right of poor people to safe, affordable water and sanitation services. Occupying the position of Communications and Campaigns Specialist in WaterAid is an exciting opportunity to work with WaterAid and contribute to the achievement of the national and global goals towards realizing the WASH access for everyone everywhere.

WaterAid is fully committed to protecting those   with   whom   it   comes   into contact. WaterAid is committed to ensuring that wherever we work in the world there is no tolerance for the abuse of power, privilege or trust. WaterAid reinforces a culture of zero tolerance towards any form of inappropriate behavior, abuse, harassment, or exploitation of any kind. The safeguarding of our beneficiaries, staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf, is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All staff and volunteers are required to share in this commitment through our Global Code of Conduct. We will conduct the most appropriate pre- employment references and checks to ensure high standards are maintained.

For more information about safeguarding at WaterAid, please visit our safeguarding webpage at: https://www.wateraid.org/uk/safeguarding-at-wateraid

A.    About the role

B.    Job Purpose

C.    Main Responsibilities and Duties Campaigns

• Support Head of Policy, Advocacy, and Cooperation to identify key sector issues which WaterAid and its partners should focus their advocacy efforts.
• Develop and implement integrated campaigns and influencing projects within country strategy and Global initiatives, working with CSOs and other stakeholders.
• Elaborate community outreach campaigns and communication tools, testing and validation
• Develop and manage a dissemination plan for policy research outputs/products to relevant decision-makers and donors to influence policy and practices change and to facilitate WASH service delivery to everyone countrywide sustainably.
• Participate in the design of programme activities to influence government (national, district level) policy and legislation, budgets, co-ordination mechanisms and innovative delivery approaches to strengthen WASH services and increase WASH access.
• Manage campaign and communication budget and report and explain variances.
• Implement all WaterAid campaigns, events, and social engagements
• Establish strong working relationship with media houses, academia stakeholders and communities along with youth networks and affiliations in order to raise campaign KPI.
• Plan, design and coordinate events (traditional and non-traditional) for the campaigns to maximize WaterAid causes, in line to global timelines.
  
  
  

Communications and Media

• In conjunction with the Head Policy and Advocacy and Cooperation and Communication, develop and implement a communications strategy to support the overall CP strategy.
• Organise awareness raising activities, especially during commemoration of global WASH days and events and traditional ceremonies and develop innovative ways and approaches of disseminating messages to community members, the general public and Government.
• Ensure that campaigns are adequately covered by a strong communications and media campaign.
• Ensure staff and partners comply with WaterAid communication guidelines for dealing with documents, media and other communication tools intended for widespread distribution by WaterAid Rwanda team.
• Undertake periodic visits to the field, with the press and produce written reports on visits.
• Infographics and Multi-media evidence products – Working with programme staff, identify issues for multi-media products (including videos, podcasts, photo- stories, animations, etc.), and lead and oversee regular production and dissemination of the products. Promote and organise media (radio, and television) programmes for WARw and partners.
• Blogs – Write critical development blogs on WASH and its implications for tackling the development issues in Rwanda.
• Network with public and private media institutions and individual journalists in print and electronic media to ensure that the work of WARw is visible.
• Maintain a consistent social media presence of WaterAid to ensure the target audiences can access information from and about WaterAid in a timely reliable and consistent mananer.
• Work as the focal point of contact of WARw within the media fraternity by developing and maintaining positive and proactive relationships in order to support the work of WaterAid and its partners.
• Work with radios and TVs houses to evaluate the real coverage areas
• Support the development and capacity building of Communications & Learning skills, policies and procedures of WaterAid staff and Partner Organizations (POs)
• Support the Regional and UK communications team to continuously update the WaterAid website as required by the UK’ s communications team.
  
  
  

Publications

• Policy-oriented publications – development, editing and publishing of WARw’s policy-oriented publications (Development perspectives, policy briefs, reflective blogs, research briefs, fact sheets, and newsletters). 

• Work with MEAL Manager and Head of Programmes on organisation publications (annual reports, strategic plans).

• Research stories in the media/ online media outlets) – issues for media Op-Eds, features and news, and lead the development of regular stories for publication in the media.

• Stimulate, encourage and support staff in regular writing and publishing topical development issues to shape policy and programme locally, regionally and globally.
• Quality control – Ensure highest quality of publications and other evidence products.
  
  
  

D.    Key Competences, Skills, experience, and Knowledge

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply through the application form attached below no later than 25th October 2023.