Communications Support Consultant (RIATT-ESA) At REPSSI

Introduction

The Regional Inter-Agency Task Team on Children and AIDS in Eastern and Southern Africa (RIATT-ESA) is a regional knowledge management, advocacy, and partnering network that brings together stakeholders across sectors to address the needs of children, adolescents, and families affected by HIV & AIDS.

Established in 2006, RIATT-ESA collaborates with over 41 key players, including regional economic communities (RECs), civil society organizations, academic institutions, donors, and multilateral agencies. Through its advocacy, research, and partnerships, the network aims to influence global, regional, and national policies to ensure children’s care and support needs are addressed effectively.

The Communications Support Consultant will play a vital role in shaping and expanding RIATT-ESA’s communication strategies. These include message development, storytelling, growing digital media footprint, engaging stakeholders, and amplifying advocacy efforts to promote HIV-sensitive policies, comprehensive care, and social protection for children in the Eastern and Southern Africa region.

Key Responsibilities

1. Message Development

Provide leadership in developing clear, compelling messages that align with the RIATT-ESA’s mission and goals. This involves refining the organization’s narrative to ensure it resonates with target audiences, including members, donors, REC’s, and the community at large. Includes;

• Identify opportunities for RIATT-ESA to provide thought leadership and lead development of the necessary stories, opinion pieces, etc.
• Develop messages to respond to critical key developments.

1. Storytelling
   Function as lead storyteller for the network, engaging narratives that connect emotionally with audiences. Utilizing all communication platforms, this could involve sharing success stories from beneficiaries or highlighting specific projects that demonstrate the organization’s effectiveness, successes, etc.

3. Social Media Management

• Develop and implement a social media content calendar aligned with RIATT-ESA’s advocacy campaigns, events, and regional activities.
• Create engaging and dynamic content, including graphics, videos, infographics, and written posts for platforms like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
• Collaborate with the Advocacy, Social Protection, and Care & Support Technical Working Groups (TWGs) to highlight key research findings, updates, and advocacy priorities.
• Promote RIATT visibility through innovative communications on socials media platforms.

1. Stakeholder Engagement and Community Management

• Monitor social media conversations to identify emerging issues or advocacy opportunities.
• Strengthen relationships with RIATT-ESA’s Child and Youth Ambassadors, partner organizations, and regional influencers.
• Design Periodic communication with external stakeholders.
• Draft releases, advocacy letters, thought pieces on topical issues for all media platforms.

1. Advocacy Campaigns

• Design and execute digital advocacy campaigns to support RIATT-ESA’s strategic objectives, such as promoting policy changes and highlighting HIV-sensitive social protection systems.
• Partner with ambassadors to amplify campaign messages and increase reach.
• Utilize innovative strategies (hashtags, challenges, collaborative posts) to drive engagement and awareness.

1. Performance Analysis and Reporting

• Track and analyse the performance of social media activities using analytics tools, assessing metrics like engagement, reach, and campaign effectiveness.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly performance reports, providing actionable insights for strategy improvement.
• Use data to continuously improve content strategies and achieve advocacy goals.

1. Collaboration and Partnerships

• Work closely with RIATT-ESA’s Secretariat, Steering Committee, and partners to ensure consistent messaging.
• Facilitate social media collaborations with member organizations and advocacy groups, including REPSSI.
• Provide live coverage for regional events, webinars, and conferences, ensuring active engagement across platforms.

1. Monitoring Trends and Innovation

• Stay updated on trends in social media, digital advocacy, and key issues affecting children and HIV in the region.
• Adapt social media strategies to align with emerging trends, ensuring content remains relevant and impactful.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Social Sciences, or a related field.
• Proven experience managing social media platforms for an advocacy-focused organization or network.
• Strong content creation skills, including graphic design, video editing, and copywriting.
• Familiarity with issues related to HIV & AIDS, child rights, and social protection in the ESA region.
• Experience with analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.

Expected Deliverables

• Monthly media content calendars and performance reports.
• Successful execution of advocacy campaigns aligned with RIATT-ESA’s objectives.
• Increased engagement with RIATT-ESA’s online platforms and stakeholders.

Duration of Consultancy:

• This assignment is from 6th January 2025 and subject to extension based on availability of funding.
• The successful candidate will be required to work 3 days a week.