Manager, Communications and External Affairs At Co-Impact

Who We Are

Co-Impact is a global philanthropic collaborative that supports locally-rooted coalitions in the Global South to transform underlying systems and achieve impact at scale, with a core focus on advancing gender equality and women’s leadership. We bring together funders from around the world to invest in initiatives that are working to improve education, health, and economic opportunity for millions of women, men, girls and boys, addressing underlying conditions that perpetuate social inequities so that systems better serve everyone. Building on our experience to date, as well as that of civil society, government, market actors, and philanthropic partners, we are now developing a second fund focused on advancing gender-equitable systems change at scale and women’s leadership globally. For more information, please visit www.co-impact.org and take a look at our Handbook.

Co-Impact currently operates as a fiscally-sponsored project of the New Venture Fund (NVF). Over the next year, Co-Impact will be expanding to build a second fund focused on gender equality and women’s leadership and changing our operating structure so that we spin out from NVF and build an independent institution.

Co-Impact has team members in India, Kenya, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the U.K., and the U.S.

Where You Fit

Co-Impact seeks a Communications and External Affairs Manager who is a self-starter and able to lead work independently. Reporting to the Director, Strategic Advocacy and Communications this role will provide critical support on key aspects of Co-Impact’s Advocacy and Communications. The role demands a high level of organization and attention to detail, proficiency in events management and social media management and strategic communication functions. The ability to think and operate creatively, with strong project management skills, and nimbleness to shift priorities quickly will be of great value to the evolving need of the organization. Co-Impact is focused on supporting systemic change in the areas of health, education, and economic opportunity, with a focus on advancing gender equality and women’s leadership.

The ideal candidate will be joining Co-Impact at a unique time and will have the opportunity to shape innovative approaches to our work. Our vision is that this role delivers through a lean advocacy and communications function as we grow a dynamic team to serve across the Global South.

To be successful in this role, these are the things that will matter most:

● Gender expertise – Having a deep understanding of gender issues, particularly with an intersectional lens. Including influencing policy with specific expertise in Global South settings.

● Corporate Communications – Serve as the content partner for the organization: having strong writing, editing, proofreading, layout and design, professional printing/publishing skills, including the ability to present concepts verbally. Ability to produce content (including articles, press releases, posts, memos etc.) under tight deadlines for various communications vehicles and audiences.

● Project Management – excellent organizational and project management skills and ability to meet deadlines. Ability to develop and implement the organization’s communications plan and advocacy calendar aligned with organizational priorities and broader communications plan.

● Digital media – Ability to develop robust social media strategies across platforms – Identifying fresh approaches to audience engagement. Experience creating and maintaining a social media content planner. With a track record of harnessing complex information and collaborating with key stakeholders to curate and share compelling stories.

The Role

With support from your team, you will play a critical role in executing Co-Impact’s Advocacy and Communication Strategy, digital work and stakeholder engagement.

Communications

● Support writing, editing, and management of articles, speeches and internal briefings – leading or in collaboration with key members of the Co-Impact team.

● Proactively leverage and provide content for social and multi-media channels. Planning and execution of social media and offline content; ensuring that key metrics are identified, tested and reported on.

● Support the drafting of media advisories/ press releases and presentations – as guided by Director, Strategic Advocacy and Communications.

● Manage and/or build new communication and digital platforms for engagement – including joint ownership of Co-Impacts content calendar.

● Support development and execution of Co-Impact international communications initiatives.

Stakeholder engagement

● Support planning of advocacy efforts around key themes (gender equality and women’s leadership, funding for systems change, program partner centered philanthropy, centering on Global South leaders and organizations) and key moments (announcements, launches, events).

● Identify important events and ensure Co-Impact participation.

● Identify critical advocacy networks, coalitions, actors, and opportunities to advance Co-Impact’s objectives.

● Conduct landscape analysis and develop a stakeholder map to inform communication and external affairs planning – to be updated regularly.

● Establish and maintain relationships with senior staff at relevant media outlets and global events convenors (gender equality, philanthropy, international development), securing coverage at key moments.

● Intelligence gathering with regular monitoring of media and government, i.e., debates, trends and any new developments with bearing on Co-Impact philanthropy and programs. Maintain networks and various channels to gather updated information. Rapidly analyze information and create simple briefings for internal strategic stakeholders.

Management and Administrative

● Engage and manage external consultants/communications firms as needed.

● Manage the CEO’s and senior leaders’ participation at significant events and relevant follow-up, including planning and preparing talking points and presentation materials.

● Budget tracking and analysis.

Qualifications and Experience

If you have at least 8 years of professional experience in a relevant field, with experience in a communication and/or external affairs function, a demonstrated interest in international development and/or the philanthropic sector, and impeccable writing, project management and presentation skills, this role may be right for you.

● Experience in a managerial role in the development sector, corporate or media organization, with significant experience living/working in the Global South.

● Background and experience executing both project and budget management

● Experience interacting and communicating effectively with members of a complex organization at multiple levels.

● Strong interpersonal and communication abilities – having exceptional listening, written and oral skills.

● Strong professional representation of Co-Impact – having interpersonal relationship abilities, intercultural knowledge and appreciation, strategic partnership building. Consensus builder, who understands, listens and encourages the expression of other points of view. Employs a participative, collaborative management style, respecting the dignity of all individuals.

● Strong moral compass: personal ethics and integrity must be impeccable.

● Knowledge of the gender and global development sectors, with experience in advocating on the themes of gender equality and/or women’s leadership.

● Strong English language proficiency – this includes both writing and public speaking skills.

● Fluency in a second language.

● A university graduate – having a degree in a relevant field.

● Ability to work across different time zones. Within diverse teams operating in a fast-paced environment.

● Willingness to travel (under normal circumstances).

Benefits

This position is full-time. The annual salary will be $80,000, plus a generous benefits package including a significant allowance for paid time off.

Application Details

We encourage you to apply early. We will begin reviewing applications on 16 August 2021, and the position will be closed once we have established a robust shortlist. Please apply online here by submitting a resume together with a one-page cover letter. In your cover letter, please confirm that you are authorized to live and work in Kenya.

Because we are a small team, we regret that we can only respond to applicants selected for an interview. We also regret that we are unable to participate in informational calls prior to interviews. Thank you for your understanding.

New Venture Fund Careers

Co-Impact is a project of the New Venture Fund, a 501(c)(3) public charity that incubates new and innovative public-interest projects and grant-making programs. The New Venture Fund is committed to attracting, developing and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding and enables each of us to realize our potential. The New Venture Fund’s work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are working.

Co-Impact team members hired in the U.S. are employed directly by NVF. Team members hired elsewhere are employed through a Professional Employment Organization (PEO) engaged by NVF. Hiring arrangements are subject to change, as Co-Impact spins out to become a separate entity in 2021. Co-Impact will work with relevant experts and the team member to ensure the transition has minimal impact on the initially agreed employment terms.