Communications Specialist - Ghana Center for Democratic Development

Job Summary:

The Communications Specialist (Afrobarometer Communications Coordinator, Anglophone West and North Africa), supports driving publicity and managing communications of National Partners in the Anglophone West African region for Afrobarometer

Reports to: CDD Communications Manager, Afrobarometer Core Partner Director, and Afrobarometer Core Partner Project Manager

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Core Function 1 – Leading Afrobarometer’s National Partners (country-based partners) in Anglophone West and North Africa with matters relating to their communication requirements.

• Edits publications based on statistical analysis of survey results from National Partners.
• Helps National Partners organize and manage their outreach projects.
• Promotes National Partner presentations, events and media interviews and programs
• Works with National Partners to build their communications skills, to develop dissemination and media strategies and plan and prepare for dissemination events.
• Works with the Head of Communications and other staff in training National Partners in communications skills, public speaking, use of social media and related skills.

Core Function 2 - Spearheading the tracking, usage of Afrobarometer data and the dissemination of the survey data in Ghana and other countries under CDD-Ghana`s jurisdiction in Anglophone West and North Africa

• Prioritizes and attends regional governance meetings related to Afrobarometer convened by NGOs, government, and donors, among other institutions.
• Creates and executes outreach and other projects to keep generating coverage for Afrobarometer following the close of official disseminations.
• Plans and executes project-oriented media and NGO outreach/community events.
• Utilizes various computer programs to track data and create presentations, charts, graphs, tables, and memos.
• Builds relationships with influential individuals to engage them as partners and collaborators in Afrobarometer work.

Core Function 3 – Communications and media relations

• Initiates, builds, and maintains relationships with journalists and civil society and governance organizations.
• Monitors media outlets within jurisdiction for news that relates to Afrobarometer.
• Works with Head of Communications and other coordinators to tweet regularly (either directly or through the Digital Portfolio Manager) about dissemination events, Afrobarometer-relevant conferences and meetings, and related events.
• Assists National Partners with the rolling out of social media in their operations.
• Preparations of reports: quarterly, annually, etc. (Afrobarometer only)
• Creates and executes outreach and other projects to keep generating coverage for Afrobarometer following the close of official disseminations.
• Under the direction of the Head of Communications initiates and maintains relationships with journalists and civil society and governance organizations
• Monitors media outlets within countries under Core Partner jurisdiction for news that relates to Afrobarometer.
• Works closely with the Communications Team, Publications Manager, Digital Portfolio Manager, Central Management Team and other partners on global releases for each round.
• Researches specific issues or inquiries regarding program- or project-related topics and reports back findings to CDD-Ghana project team and Head of Communications.

Core Function 4 – Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

• Ensures that all Afrobarometer communications-related MEL is captured to Afrobarometer’s Google Workspace Shared Drives and MEL system
• Helps maintain dissemination, press releases and report calendars.
• Analyzes the effectiveness of National Partners’ work in communications to assess the need for coaching and follow-up.

Core Function 5 - Stakeholder management and partnership building

• Proactively identifies opportunities for Afrobarometer and its partners to:
  • Injects data into emerging and ongoing policy debates by tracking current events in partner countries, engaging with relevant policy actors and media, etc. (e.g., “hot” issues in supported countries, international/national observances, platforms for engagement with key government officials, media leaders, civil society organizations working in relevant areas)
  • Builds and strengthens partnerships with stakeholders, policy actors, and potential donors at local, national, regional, continental, and global levels.

Core Function 6 - Duties and responsibilities to Afrobarometer’s Core Partner in Anglophone West and North Africa, (CDD-Ghana)

• As staff of CDD-Ghana and member of its Communications Team, provides communications and media relations support to CDD-Ghana, as directed.

Required Skills or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences/humanities/statistics.
• Five to eight years of related work experience, or a combination of education and experience that would provide for the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
  • Experience in networking with policymakers such as members of parliament and local government leaders
  • Experience developing and implementing national communications strategy.
  • Thorough knowledge of media relations strategies
  • Thorough knowledge of electronic and print media systems.
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills and demonstrated ability to work in a multinational environment are essential.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong data analysis and presentation
• Demonstrated capacity to continuously develop knowledge and skills related to use of rapidly changing technology.
• Strong time management skills
• Ability to handle multiple “priority” projects simultaneously and set and meet deadlines and use communications skills to ensure that National Partners and senior leaders do the same.
• Must have demonstrated ability to manage own work without supervision.
• Must have built relationships among NGOs, advocacy organizations or political parties.
• Skilled in the use of personal computers including Microsoft Office Suite; G-suite; experience in SPSS is desirable but not required; experience with Final Cut pro or other video editing software is an advantage but not required.
• Some experience with and much enthusiasm for Twitter, Facebook, and other social media
• The ability to communicate fluently in English is required; French/Portuguese proficiency is a strong advantage, but not required.
• Willingness to travel across Anglophone West and North Africa, and occasionally beyond, regularly.
• Short-listed applicants will be asked to complete a writing, presentation, and basic numeracy test.

Desirable

• Citizenship of an African country
• Postgraduate studies or degree in journalism or communications
• Knowledge of survey research
• Multilingual, ideally fluency in or working knowledge of French, Portuguese and African languages

Personal qualities

• Alignment to Afrobarometer core values including equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Attention to detail and persistence to ensure thoroughness and accuracy.
• Self-starter with the ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, and manage multiple tasks.
• Highly organized, with the ability to deal with lots of information.
• Diplomatic with a cooperative, problem-solving, and positive ‘can-do’ attitude
• Ability to build rapport with both leadership and other colleagues.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to maintain privacy and confidentiality.

Location: CDD-Ghana, Accra, Ghana

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