Regional Media Manager At Save the Children

The role

The Media manager role is a key position meant to ensure that quality and timely media are produced for news media organisations and other partners and to ensure visibility of Save the Children’s activities and brand. Central to achieving this would be to oversee a media strategy to highlight programmatic work, such as our emergency response in developing situations. A key part of the role, involving fifty per cent of the remit, will be to provide written/multi-media content to be shared with Save the Children’s country offices around the world. This will be achieved by regular coordination and liaison with the Global Media Unit (GMU) based in London.

The manager is expected to demonstrate initiative and be a self-starter who will generate ideas and drive content forward, providing compelling case studies, images and video, as well as spotting strong news lines and writing engaging headlines. Central to achieving this is to oversee a media strategy to highlight the Emergency responses in the region and in developing situations.

The Media manager will act as a key focal point for all media requests from members and manage relationships with external regional media. This will be achieved by regular coordination and liaison with the WCA Head of Advocacy, Campaigns, Communications and Media, the ESA Regional Media Manager (for technical support/guidance) and the Global Media Unit based in London.

In addition to the above, the manager will also be expected to support the regional office /countries brand building and awareness raising of the situation of children in-country, namely through national and regional media. Fundamental to the job is the ability to gather, consolidate, analyse and share information in a way that is easily understood by news organisations, and other stakeholders.

The role will be ideally based in Dakar, Senegal, but could be flexible to other locations where Save the Children is present, ideally within the West and Central Africa region.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• University degree in a relevant subject or equivalent field experience
• At least five years’ experience as a journalist in a credible news organisation OR equivalent experience as a Media & Communications Manager in an international humanitarian or development agency, and experience of dealing in the international media environment
• Experience of leading media activities in a challenging environment – Significant experience of working overseas/regionally in humanitarian programmes
• Fluent in at least French and English – Evidence of excellent verbal and written communication skills in both French and English producing materials for a wide range of different audiences including donors, journalists and the ‘general public’ – Ability to digest complex information, quickly, and express this crisply and clearly
• Evidence of excellent verbal and written communication skills producing materials for a wide range of different audiences including donors, journalists and the ‘general public’- Experience of effective spokes personing across a range of media
• Experience designing and implementing trainings in communications and media skills
• Excellent writing skills, and the ability to produce compelling media products such as press releases, key messages/speaking points and Q&As
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality photography and video materials – Familiarity with digital production workflows – Knowledge of photography and video editing software
• Thorough understanding of the various political and cultural contexts surrounding of emergency responses and international development programming in East and Southern Africa
• Excellent relationship building skills in order to work for limited periods within programmes under pressure of running emergency responses
• An initiative-taking, proactive, inspiring attitude with the ability to manage and prioritise an unpredictable workload and solve problems quickly with limited support
• Experience of delivering training, presentations and other capacity building activities to varied audiences, ideally within a country programme.
• Excellent IT skills, especially in Microsoft Word, as well as Adobe Creative Suite software
• Excellent understanding of media and campaigning activities – Strong influencing skills
• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy
• The capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances
• Commitment to the aims and principles of Save the Children. In particular, a good understanding of the Save the Children mandate and child focus, and an ability to ensure this continues to underpin our support

Desirable:

• Prior experience working in humanitarian contexts
• Multi-media content development;
• Experience of delivering training, presentations and other capacity building activities to varied audience
• Experience or knowledge of working and living in the region

Contract length: 6 months fixed term contract

The Organisation

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information:

Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document. Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations.

We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply

Applicants are advised that Save the Children International does not require any payment or expense during the entire recruitment process. Any request in this direction should be immediately reported as contrary to the values and practices of our organization.