Communications Director - Johannesburg at Crisis24

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES 

1. Develop and implement innovative and impactful campaigns to protect civilians and prevent conflict 

• A core part of your responsibilities will be working with the Communications team and colleagues from our other offices to lead, strategize, or contribute to the global campaigns that Crisis Action coordinates. Your success will depend on your ability to build and nurture trusted relationships with our partners and allies from across sectors; and the agility to catalyse and leverage the collective power of our coalitions to generate impact. This will require you to: 
• Lead and support teams in devising smart and savvy media and communications strategies for campaigns  
• Boost organizational creativity and impact by implementing bold and ambitious ideas, and actively scanning for new and creative campaign tactics, tools, and partnerships  
• Ensure Crisis Action has strong relationships with key journalists across different markets and develop and nurture creative partnerships with organisations and individuals from across the world of media, advertising, tech, film, and more 
• Working closely with our different offices, build and strengthen a diverse and innovative communications network by proactively engaging current and new partners and bringing on board creative allies 

 2. Crisis Action’s chief storyteller and a global communicator for change 

• You will be responsible for developing a wide array of internal and external communications products for our partners and network. As a creative engine for the organisation, you will drive innovation in how we work with traditional and new media, develop creative partnerships, and help tell the stories of our campaigns and the organisation in compelling and impactful ways. You will measure success, capture learnings, mentor colleagues through training, and communicate our behind-the-scenes work to various stakeholders in a way that enhances Crisis Action’s reputation with partners and donors. This will require you to: 
• Ensure timely and impactful communications to key stakeholders such as partners, donors, and board members, including overseeing the coordination, drafting, and editing of the content  
• Working in close collaboration with the fundraising team, coordinate and oversee the vision, design, production, and dissemination of Crisis Action’s annual report 
• Enhance our ways of storytelling to diverse audiences by developing bespoke content on Crisis Action and its campaigns, and training our teams on it  
• Maintain oversight of Crisis Action’s website to ensure it is fit for purpose and updated with the latest campaign and organisational information at all times 

 3. Contribute to the strategic growth, leadership, and impact of Crisis Action 

• You will be responsible for consolidating and expanding Crisis Action’s relationships and reputation with our communications and media partners, and civil society network, and for developing and implementing the Communications strategy that aligns with Crisis Action’s overall organisational strategy. As a member of Crisis Action’s Directors Group, you will also play a leadership role on organisational strategy and decision-making, oversight of team performance and well-being. This will require you to: 
• Supervise and mentor the communications team, and any consultants or volunteers that may work with the team or on Crisis Action campaigns 
• Develop and implement a Communications strategy for Crisis Action that enables our campaign teams to deliver real change for civilians in conflict, and helps Crisis Action communicate with diverse stakeholders more effectively 
• Strengthen our systems and enhance learning across teams by aassessing campaign needs periodically, and developing and delivering appropriate trainings  
• Work in close collaboration with Office Directors, and support the Senior Management Team on key aspects of organisational leadership including strategy, team management, recruitment, resource allocation, budgets, and fundraising 

PERSON SPECIFICATION 

Essential skills and experience:  

• Commitment to Crisis Action’s mandate and values  
• 10+ years of professional experience in relevant fields and knowledge of the international NGO sector 
• Expertise in media and communications; including knowing when and how to engage the media, a deep understanding of different targets and audiences, crafting communication strategies and media stories to effect change, producing high-quality communication materials, and working across platforms, including mainstream, social, and new age media 
• Excellent political mind, with an understanding of the levers, tactics and processes that shift power and drive change 
• Excellent instincts in leading and organizing for change, with a broad range of established relationships and industry networks in the media, communications, or private sector 
• Impeccable interpersonal, writing, and editing skills, with fluency in written and spoken English 
• Skilled at stakeholder management, with an entrepreneurial attitude and a talent for building trust and relationships quickly 
• High levels of ambition, determination, and focus, with a hunger for collective outcomes rather than personal limelight  
• Self-aware, emotionally intelligent, and a strong team player with demonstrated ability to work as a member of a small and diverse team, and empower them to deliver their best 
• A multi-tasker, with excellent administrative, project management and information technology skill 
• Awareness and commitment to preserve your own well-being and resilience to manage the pressures of working in a fast-paced environment  

The following would be desirable: 

• Fluency in languages other than English – written and spoken 
• Social media/digital campaigning experience including content commissioning and dissemination strategies 
• Experience of coalition campaigning, working with the corporate sector, social movements, or faith-based organisations to drive social change 
• Knowledge of and familiarity with conflict issues or conflict resolution, international human rights and humanitarian laws, understanding of foreign policy, and the workings of key international and regional institutions (e.g. United Nations, African Union, ASEAN, European Union etc.)