Plan International Regional External Relations and Strategic Communications Director Jobs in Kenya

Plan International Regional External Relations and Strategic Communications Director Jobs in Kenya

About Plan International

Plan International is an independent child rights and humanitarian organisation committed to children living a life free of poverty, violence, and injustice. We actively unite children, communities and other people who share our mission to make positive lasting changes in children’s and young people’s lives.

We support children to gain the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to claim their rights to a fulfilling life, today and in the future. We place a specific focus on girls and women, who are most often left behind. We have been building powerful partnerships for children for more than 85 years and are now active in over 80 countries.

We engage people and partners to:

Empower children, young people, and communities to make vital changes that tackle the root causes of discrimination against girls, exclusion and vulnerability.

Drive change in practice and policy at local, national, and global levels through our reach, experience and knowledge of the realities children face.

Work with children and communities to prepare for and respond to crises and to overcome adversity.

Support the safe and successful progression of children from birth to adulthood.
and successful progression of children from birth to adulthood.

The Role Purpose

This role will exist to strengthen Plan’s impact through more effective strategic partnerships, greater influence and more grant resources. While centred on strengthening external relations at above-country level, this role will also lead the following portfolio in the regional hub management team.

Strategic Partnership and civil society engagement.

Profiling of Plan among donors; driving identification of potential grant opportunities with new donors, expanding portfolio with existing donors and identifying multi-country funding opportunities.

Overseeing the Communications function in the region (technical support on communications can come through the matrix management at the global hub )

RHMT lead on the “Locally led, globally connected” strategic agenda, though country specific activity will be led by the DSR.

Dimensions of the Role

A member of the Regional Hub Management Team (RHMT) and leader of the regional network covering our External Relations, strategic partnership and communication and media work in MEESA.

Provides leadership and supervision to Plan’s regional team for all External; Relations, communication and civil society strengthening work.

Facilitates the development and maintenance of strong internal and external linkages with key regional and sub-regional institutions, strategic partners, peer organisations, the private/corporate sector and media outlets within and beyond the region.

Advises on and manages risks related to Plan’s external relations, strategic partnership, communication and media work in the MEESA region.

Develops and oversees the execution of the assigned component of the regional office budget.

Accountabilities

Strategic planning and delivery

Develop, deliver and monitor a relevant and up-to-date Regional External Relations and Partnership building long term plan for the Region, taking into account the Pan-African Advocacy Strategy, the AU Liaison Office role and global or regional priorities. Plan MEESA’s regional external relations work contributes to the Global Strategy and adds value to country operations, regional and global programmes, advocacy and campaign work, fundraising, and public relations plans and initiatives. Its implementation is monitored and progress against this is documented and shared

Support the development of sound country level strategies and plans which efficiently profile the importance of Plan’s programme and influencing priorities

Provide high quality support to the attainment of Plan’s global initiatives, campaign goals and results through external stakeholders

Provide relevant solutions to the Region’s leadership as currently framed by the Regional Hub Management Team and the Regional Leadership Team, ensuring that External relations and Partnership building needs are anticipated, identified and discussed as part of business to support the achievement of our organisational goals and that we maximise our chance to raise sufficient resources to implement the Plan Strategy in the region.

Provide regular strategic External Relations and Partnership building advice and pro-active

solutions to support Directors of sub regions and Country Directors as and when required.

Ensuring Network Leadership, Strategic Partnerships and Movement building

Establish and maintain regional strategic partnerships and networks with like-minded Civil Society Organizations, peer agencies, private sector companies which have a regional or sub-regional reach and agenda
Indicators of success will include:

Plan International is well connected and supportive to movements that promote children’s rights and equality for girls in the MEESA Region.

Emerging civil society organizations and youth-led movements and initiatives receive attention to develop and project their agendas, as well as organizational development for their continuous improvement.

Joint ventures have been established to realize initiatives and events that influence the (sub-) regional agendas of decision-making bodies to focus on child rights and gender equality.

Joint efforts have been undertaken with like-minded organizations to raise funds and other resources for the (regional) influencing agenda. Lead our engagement with the Joining Forces Alliance in this region

Fundraise and manage a small portfolio of multi-country grants for civil society strengthening in the MEESA region. (Current grants are from Sweden).

Drive an external relations engagement agenda for programme development

Profiling of Plan among donors; driving identification of potential grant opportunities with new donors, expanding portfolio with existing donors and identifying multi-country funding opportunities.

Plan Country Offices have more forward information of upcoming funding opportunities for single or multi-country grants.

Plan is able to win more grants through consortia applications.

Plan International income from priority partners (particularly International Organisations) increases with our closer relationsor formal partnerships.

Enhancing Organisational visibility and profile

Promote and actively communicate the quality and reach of Plan’s program and influencing work for children’s rights within and beyond the MEESA region and within a wide African audience.
Indicators will include:

Regional, and international media report positively and regularly about Plan’s work in MEESA

Representatives and correspondents of regional and global media houses are contacted and visited on a regular basis in order to establish good relationships and launch joint initiatives to produce content for their and our use.

Close collaboration and a shared agenda is in place between the communications and programme teams to ensure quality reporting and information sharing about our work.

Essential Knowledge and Experience

In-depth knowledge of current issues and trends, in both the development and humanitarian sectors in the region of MEESA and beyond.

Masters level required in one of the following fields: communication and Public Relations, international development and political sciences

Demonstrated working knowledge of regional stakeholders and actors, such as national Governments, inter-governmental institutions, civil society and UN agencies, media and journalists

Minimum of 5 years demonstrated experience of working as a manager with supervisory capacity and budget responsibility

Proven experience to develop and implement strategic partnerships leading to business development and communication and media strategies

Excellent understanding of child rights and gender equality as pre-conditions and ingredients for sustainable development.

Skills

Exceptional conceptual and strategic thinking skills

Business development skills

Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to build relationships with colleagues at long distances

Excellence in written and spoken English

Excellent problem solving and analytical skills

Excellent written and oral communication skills, including presentation and public speaking in front of high-level audiences

Ability to prioritize and multitask

Desirable

Working knowledge of Portuguese or Arabic desirable.

How to Apply

For more information and job application details, see; Plan International Regional External Relations and Strategic Communications Director Jobs in Kenya

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