Communications Manager-Pretoria, South Africa
- Opportunity to work in a highly visible and successful program
- Gain experience and contribute to one of Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade ( DFAT)'s flagship programs in Africa covering 51 countries
- Highly collaborative environment with a strong management team
About the role
The Communication Manager will be responsible to manage implementation of the overall strategy and suite of program communication, promotion and public diplomacy activities; ensure that time lines are met; to co-ordinate communications activities across the three hubs and in 51 countries; and to be practice leader for writing press releases, articles and stories.
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead implementation of the Scholarships Promotion, Public Diplomacy and Communication Plan (SPPDCP)
- Manage the program-wide coordination of SPPDCP activities to ensure a consistent strategic approach and coordination of activities
- Oversee the production of information materials, print and audio-visual for media, website, and other outreach activities
- Practice leader for engaging entire program team in communications activities (internal and external); to build the technical competence of staff in skills such as writing, design and use of key IT tools (e.g. software packages and multi-media)
- Be the Australia Awards brand manager to strengthen the Australia Awards brand and to ensure compliance with guidelines; and liaise with the client (DFAT/Australia Awards Office communications and brand management team) for the development and approval of all published materials
- Manage operational activity related to continent-wide communications throughout the whole Awards cycle, to ensure consistency
- Respond to urgent or emergent communication, public diplomacy or promotion activity needs, as requested by TL
Interested?
To apply please email your covering letter addressing the selection criteria below and resume to noeleen.meiring@grminternational.com with the subject: Communications Manager – Australia Awards.
Without the covering letter, your application will not be considered.
About You
Selection criteria
- Master's degree (preferred), minimum Bachelors (Honours) in communications, journalism, public relations, social sciences, international relations, or a related field
- A minimum of 5 years' experience in communications at the national or international level, including experience in media relations
- Fluency in English
- Experience working in international development or not-for-profit sector
- Demonstrates very good understanding of and experience in communications and promotions, marketing and advocacy
- Demonstrated ability to build and nurture strong relations with clients and the media
- Outstanding oral and written communications and editing skills, with proven ability to meet tight deadlines
- Communicates sensitively, effectively and creatively across different constituencies
- Very strong organizational and planning skills
- Excellent materials conceptual, design and lay-up skills
- Very good IT skills, including office suite and design/publication software
- Experience of multi-media design and development
- Ability to lead a small team and build their capacity
Personal Qualities:
- Strong initiative and creativity
- Highly effective at multi-tasking and prioritisation of workload
- Focuses on impact and results for the client
- Interacts effectively with all levels of the organization, including senior management and less-experienced staff
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
- Identifies opportunities and builds strong relationships with clients and partners
- Demonstrates exceptional ability to work well under pressure and tight deadlines
- Participates effectively in a team-based, information-sharing environment; can collaborate and cooperate with others.
About Us
Australia Awards is a DFAT-funded initiative designed: (i) to equip Africans with the skills and knowledge necessary to influence the economic and social development outcomes of their own countries; and (ii) to build the long-term capacity of African governments to progress towards their Millennium Development Goals.Australia Awards provides a mix of Scholarships and Fellowships to Africans in the public, civil society and private sectors in targeted disciplines that support the home countries' developmental priorities.Australia Awards is managed by GRM International on behalf of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).South Africa Nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.Please note that there are no relocation or visa allowances for this role. This position is ideally suited for candidates with authorization to work in South Africa
