Communications Assistant, Sebeya Project – International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

POSITION IS CONTINGENT TO DONOR FUNDING

BACKGROUND

The IUCN-International Union for Conservation of Nature, Rwanda Country Office in collaboration with The Governments of Rwanda and the Netherlands are in the process of implementing a 3-year programme (May 2019 to April 2022) – “Landscape and Integrated Water Resources Management and Restoration in Sebeya and other Catchments” –Project. IUCN’s role is to provide Technical Assistance (TA) for the Landscape management and Integrated Water Resource Management. The TA Project has the overall purpose of “Increased livelihood and conservation Benefits in Sebeya (& other) catchments from restoration & improved local land management”. IUCN is therefore seeking to recruit the position of Communication Assistant with a due role of supporting project communication and other related communications work for the Rwanda Country Office. This will be a national recruited position. The position holder will be located in the IUCN-Rwanda offices and will work closely with project partner teams including the Rwanda Forest and Water Authority (RWFA).

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Communication Assistant position is a core component of the programme. He/she will liaise with programme and project leads in the documentation of project activities, lessons, milestones and successes in the form of case studies, human-interest stories, and video and photo stories for internal and external dissemination. He / she will also support media engagement as part of awareness raising.

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

Working closely with the Regional Communications and Constituency Officer and the Rwanda Office programme team, the Communication Assistant will contribute to the success of the project / programme work by maximizing the quality and impact of IUCN and its partner’s work through the incorporation of enhanced communications messaging and tools. Key responsibilities include;-

Information and Communication

•Support the implementation of the project communications plan including liaising with programme and project leads in the documentation of project activities, lessons, milestones and successes in the form of case studies, human-interest stories, and video and photo stories for internal and external dissemination.
•Support production of high quality communications and knowledge products in a range of formats. This includes written content such as features, blogs; ensuring programme key messages are included etc.
•Work closely with the Regional Communication Officer, evaluate communications activities, and provide regular reporting according to the project work plan. Continuously generate new content in form of graphics, short videos, info graphics, photo stories, Tweets, Facebook posts, website content etc.
•Ensure project news is shared on various platforms as outlined in the communications strategy.
•Support in editing and proof reading content from programme technical experts to ensure quality and accuracy of project communications outputs;

Media relations and social media engagement

•The communications Assistant will assist with media relations in Rwanda including responding to media queries, setting up media interviews etc. He / She will support in in drafting press releases and other media materials.
•Perform basic analysis of programme related media and social media coverage
•Continuously grow IUCN Rwanda’s offline and online supporters and audience. This includes generating and sharing social media content as well as identifying opportunities for engagement.

Learning, sharing and reporting

•Continuously monitor and evaluate the communications activities reach and impact and provide period reports or as requested.
•Working closely with the Regional M&E officer, support in processing of projects documentation including lessons and experiences from project activities with a view to sharing knowledge with various stakeholders.
•Provide basic communications training and frequent guidance to project staff and implementing partners
•Support in publishing the generated content on various existing platforms.
•Support in managing events; branding, registration, live social media engagement, note taking and photography
•Logistical coordination on the programme related communications activities.