Manager Media and Communications

Reference number: INT3127 

Team and Job Purpose

• To profile Oxfam’s work in national media and in wider communications to support Oxfam’s fundraising and campaign goals.
• To work with national partners and global affiliates throughout the Asia region to deliver high-quality media projects and compelling story-gathering materials for national, regional and global media markets, and wider social media and communications needs.
• To act as a conduit between national and global media colleagues to ensure that messages and quality are consistent, and to identify opportunities for collaboration.
• To provide strategic media, communications and social media advice to senior-level staff at country level on a day-to-day basis in the development of plans, matters of brand risk and to maximise communications impact.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Work with country teams to deliver high impact stories for use in national, regional and global markets for traditional and social media. This would be in support of fundraising and campaigning objectives.

• Work with the country teams to develop and implement a high-quality story-gathering strategy to showcase Oxfam’s work by generating compelling stories for use in media, social media, and wider communications in support of fundraising and influencing objectives.

• Design and implement a national media strategy that secures high-impact media to help raise Oxfam’s profile, bring change on core Oxfam issues and raise funds.

• Develop and drive Oxfam’s digital communications strategy in the country, supporting country teams and partners to develop and maximise their use of digital and multimedia technology and sharing with global platforms.

• Act as a conduit between regional, global and national teams to support the sharing of high-quality material and to amplify national stories in the global media.

• Support the development and delivery of a country media strategy in support of national campaigns, mobilising and managing the engagement of the media in the delivery of campaign activities.
• Support programmes team in developing and executing advocacy and campaigning strategies.
• Advice on embedding media tools in new business development work.

• Liaise with the Media and Communication officers to align Oxfam messaging and branding. 

• Respond to the news agenda in the Country to identify opportunities to profile Oxfam objectives and identify risk.

• Network with key national journalists and outlets.

• Provide strategic media, social media and communications advice at the senior level in the country. This would include in the development of team plans, appropriate responses in the media and social media, brand risk and maximising impact of communications.

• Provide expertise to mitigate national risk.

• Lead the media response on humanitarian emergencies (up to Catergory 2) and be the first media responder to a quick onset Category 1 emergency in the region.

• Host national, regional, international media and celebrity trips.

• Provide strategic advice to national and global campaign and fundraising teams to ensure projects are media-friendly and have the communications products needed to amplify messages.

• Provide or support media training of national teams and develop spokespeople to speak on humanitarian, development and campaigning issues.

• Act as a spokesperson for the organisation when required

• Monitor and evaluate the impact of media projects, and provide regular reporting

Contacts:

Internal:

• With the Country Director, Programme Managers, Policy Advisor on all aspects of Oxfam relevant programming, and lobby and advocacy relevant to media; as needed on sensitive brand issues.
• With the Communications Department at Region and Oxfam Affiliates to inform and be informed and to identify and arrange content generation for in-country and international audience/platforms, coverage of media related tasks for wider coverage of Oxfam’s work.
•  With overall Oxfam Programme officers/managers for linking and learning from programs, program and projects’ co-ordination and input in policy, strategy and product development for specific programs.
• With other Oxfam’s Media and Communication officers and OI global Media group in developing and implementing Oxfam media strategy.

External:

• With Oxfam’s partners on the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of their media & communication relevant policies, documentation
• With key stakeholders and relevant (international) organizations to keep informed of current political/economic/social developments that could have impact on Oxfam’s programmes
• With external donors on potential new business development to explore specific communications and media component and highlight/strengthen Oxfam’s work  in the domain
• With Oxfam  partners, national NGOs and CSOs, INGOs, authorities, media, regional institutions, researchers in the country with regard to media work and communications work, campaigning and lobbying, regional policy and civil society support.
• With external donors, Marketing and Fundraising Unit at HQ, and consultants with regard to programme implementation and reporting, at the request of the Country Director

Technical Skills, Experience & Knowledge

Essential

•  Master’s degree from recognised university with 5-7 years or more practical experiences in a discipline relevant to the job.
•  Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Excellent press office or journalistic skills
•  Exceptional multi-media and story-gathering skills, including filming and photographic skills
• Ability to develop or customise stories for national and International audiences
• Ability to lead complex projects with national, regional and international scope
• Ability to conceptualise, design and deliver media, story-gathering and digital communication strategies
•  Ability to represent the organisation in high-profile and high-pressured external environments
• Ability to use various social media platforms to support Oxfam’s campaigns and programmes
• Exercise a high degree of independent judgement in dealings with internal and external clients and organisations
• Ability to organise and host international media, celebrity and other high-profile trips
• Ability to develop creative ways to engage the public on slow onset emergencies and development work
•  Strong understanding of how the news media can be used to fundraise and influence change
• Knowledge of the international development context
•  Knowledge of different social media channels and how they can be used to support Oxfam’s work
• Producing high-quality communications products to tight deadlines
• Experience in managing teams, working with different cultures and working with geographically dispersed teams.
• roven ability in strategic thinking and leadership

Desirable

• Qualification in media studies or journalism (or equivalent experience)     
• Sound editorial judgement and ability to generate stories to further Oxfam’s organisation objectives
• Strategic thinking and planning skills
• Good knowledge and track record of using social media
• Good understanding of, and commitment to, gender equity (particularly around poor women's rights)
• Innovative and creative approach to problem solving

Key Behavioural Competencies (based on Oxfam’s Leadership Model)

Communications

Communications is about being aware of what information needs to be given to whom and being able to get a message across to others in an appropriate way. It involves taking responsibility to ensure that things are understood

Influencing others

Influencing Others is about getting others to do certain things or to take a particular course of action. It involves using a variety of influencing strategies

Facilitating change

Facilitating Change is about encouraging others to seek and act upon opportunities for different or innovative approaches to addressing problems and opportunities: whether it is changes in process, environment or working practices. It also includes being a role model and demonstrating a positive acceptance of change

Drive to achieve results

Drive to achieve results is about getting the job finished and the energies that drive people to the end result. It also includes the desire to get the job done in the best way given the time and resources available

Developing others

Developing Others is about deliberate action to help others do their job better and progress personal learning. It involves coaching, giving performance feedback, and making training and expert support available

Adaptable & flexible

Adaptable and Flexible is about being able to respond to changes in work schedules and patterns when necessary with sufficient flexibility and resilience to avoid letting frustration hinder progress