The Organisation

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it’s girls who are most affected.

Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children 

We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

ROLE PURPOSE

The USAID Workers Wellness Alliance (WWA) activity presents an agile and measurable platform for the worker, community, government, and private-sector engagement that aligns and supports Ethiopia in its “Journey to Self-reliance.” WWA works with key stakeholders on outside-the-park initiatives aimed at fostering stable, resilient, and prosperous communities. Targeting populations of newly recruited female factory workers and host community members, WWA introduces a set of interventions with the goals of supporting the arrival and integration of workers into the intervention Industrial Parks (IPs) Cities/Towns and increasing the ability of host communities to benefit from the growing population and expanding industrial base.

The Communications Specialist will plan, develop, and implement an appropriate communications strategy for the Worker's Wellness Alliance Project. He/she will coordinate and communicate with other development networks with key decision makers and serves as a high-level spokesperson of the project with donors and national stakeholders. He/she is required to develop quarterly newsletters of the project and share with donors and national organizations.

ACCOUNTABILITIES AND MAIN WORK ACTIVITIES

• Plan, develop and implement an appropriate communication and advocacy strategies for the project

• Act as a spokesperson for the WWA project with key stakeholders, donors, development networks and others, both national and international.

• Develop and share frequent communication materials to the donor: take photographs, and capture project highlights to share with the donor frequently (for example suitable for social media, as PowerPoints and written reports).

• Support the planning and implementation of the project’s Year-five workplan and branding works

• Gather success stories, photographs, film footages and interviews from the field as input for communications works at the country office in Addis Ababa

• Work closely with the M&E team on communication campaigns, quarterly and annual reports, and other communications activities

• Collaborate with the WWA team members and project technical teams to develop and produce accurate and engaging web, print, and audiovisual materials for internal and external, technical and general audiences

• Proofread all publications and communications materials

• Assist technical staff in the production and proper branding of various publications as well as project deliverables

• Work with the operations team to develop and maintain a pool of communications professionals to outsource graphics design, illustrations, animation, video recording and documentation works

• Assist in coordinating and following up outsourced tasks including editing, graphics designing, translations, writing proceedings (taking minutes), video documentation and print and audiovisual productions 

• Establish and maintain contacts with the media and assist in developing speeches, press releases and organizing media coverage, as necessary based on USAID approval

• Take part in press conferences and briefings, develop fact sheets and talking points, line up interviews and media related interviews in consultation with the Country Office;

• Network with existing and new partners of Industrial Workers related interventions and coordinate with them to build capacity for advocacy

• Share relevant information with country office (CO) and National Office (NO) networks for learning and scaling up best practices

• Coordinate and communicate with other development networks with key decision makers, and liaison with national media

• Implements development strategies to raise the awareness of the public and relevant bodies about Plan and the Alliance (WWA) for gaining support to work together for the causes of high attritions

Other Responsibilities

• Within the scope of the role, there will be additional assignments as needed.

• Seek and promote innovative ideas, approach to ensure quality of work

• Safeguarding Children and Young People (Safeguarding) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI)

• Understands and puts into practice the responsibilities under Safeguarding and GEI policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), ensuring that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

• Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in day-to-day work.

• Ensures that Plan Ethiopia contributes to Plan International’s global efforts to ensure safeguarding and GEI, including making sure that relevant reporting and data are submitted. 

Job Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications/ experience essential:

• Bachelor's degree in Mass Communications, Journalism, Development Communication, Behavioural Communication or Social Sciences.

• Minimum of five years’ experience in communication work, preferably related to children, human rights, workers' welfare

• With strong experience in designing communication materials and campaigns on social issues such as child rights, human rights, workers' rights, gender-based violence or child exploitation and abuse.

• Has excellent command of verbal and written communications in English

• Good media relations and knowledge of social media

• Demonstrate good judgment, leadership, versatility, and integrity.

• Excellent computer skills in a full range of software, including: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), Skype (Skills in any application within the Adobe Creative Suite Package is preferable)

• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the proven ability to meet tight deadlines and juggle numerous projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment

• Ability to travel as required

Qualifications/ experience desirable:

• Expertise in and sensitivity to the socio-cultural barriers facing intended beneficiaries for this program.

• Previous work experience with USAID, preferred

• Demonstrated leadership and team-building skills

• Fluent in English and Amharic Sidama languages

• Knowledge of local languages and strong command of English, with strong verbal and written communication skills

Plan International’s Values in Practice

We are open and accountable

We create a climate of trust inside and outside the organization by being open, honest and transparent. We hold ourselves and others to account for the decisions we make and for our impact on others, while doing what we say we will do.

We strive for lasting impact

We strive to achieve significant and lasting impact on the lives of children and young people, and to secure equality for girls. We challenge ourselves to be bold, courageous, responsive, focused and innovative.

We work well together

We succeed by working effectively with others, inside and outside the organization, including our sponsors and donors. We actively support our colleagues, helping them to achieve their goals. We come together to create and implement solutions in our teams, across Plan International, with children, girls, young people, communities and our partners.

We are inclusive and empowering

We respect all people, appreciate differences and challenge inequality in our programmes and our workplace. We support children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and to change their own lives. We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential.

How to Apply

Register using THIS LINK

This position is only open to Ethiopian Nationals, who must be eligible to live and work in Ethiopia.

Please note that: 

• Only Shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

• We are not accepting CVs that are not sent through the indicated links.

• Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.

• Female candidates are highly encouraged to Apply

More information about Plan International can be found on http:// plan-international.org

References will be taken and background and anti-terrorism checks will be carried out in conformity with Plans Child Protection Policy. Plan operates an equal opportunities policy and actively encourages diversity, welcoming applications from all persons meeting the skills and experience required.

As an international child centered community development organisation, Plan International is fully committed to promoting the realization of children's rights including their right to protection from violence and abuse. That means we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. We must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.