Communications Manager

RTI International is currently accepting applications for Communications Manager for the USAID- funded Advancing Basic Education in the Philippines: ABC+ project. This activity will work with the Government of the Philippines to support improved literacy in mother-tongue, numeracy, and social and emotional learning (SEL) in grades K-3. The project outcomes will include improved education system capacity to manage and implement interventions supporting effective early grade instruction. The activity will target Regions V (Bikol) and VI (Western Visayas). The position will be based in Manila and will report to the Chief of Party.

The Communications Manager job purpose is high-impact planning, production and implementation of the project’s outreach and communications strategy to raise public awareness of USAID’s support to DepEd and ABC+’s objectives that motivate stakeholders’ positive contributions to early grade learning improvements in the Philippines at the regional and national level. Oversee, supervise, and manage the work of the her team.

Main Accountabilities:

1.   Strategic Communications

·        Leadership in the development and implementation of the project’s plans and strategies for outreach and communications, branding and marking and social media engagement.

·        Capacity assessment and support to DepEd for communicating the value of early grades education investments for increased advocacy and stakeholder engagement and sharing of ABC+ activities, lessons learned and success stories.

2.   Branding, Messaging and Materials Development

·      Project compliance to branding strategy and marking guidelines.

·      Message design and alignment to project objectives and USAID’s and DepEd’s core messaging

·      Development, quality assurance, distribution and archiving of project communication products.

3.   Development Storytelling and Reporting

·      Compelling, engaging and timely reporting of project’s successes, best practices and lessons learned to different audiences in diverse formats and channels.

·      Capacity building of staff and partners in capturing and writing success stories, vignettes, and photo essays.

4.   Knowledge Management (KM)

·        Functional process and system for project communications and knowledge exchange.

5.   Public Outreach and Social Marketing (Media, Events and Campaigns Management)

·      High-visibility and positive profile of the project in the education community through public events, news releases and success stories

·      Targeted social marketing campaigns for various audience segments to promote support for early grades education and development of foundational life skills (reading and literacy, math and socio-emotional learning) of K to 3 learners

·      Active social media engagement through timely and engaging content.

Tasks/Duties:

Lead the project communications team in

·      Continuously update the project’s Outreach and Communications plan, Branding Strategy and Marking Plan and Social Media Engagement Plan within the evolving context in the areas where the project operates.

·      Developing a detailed workplan for implementation of the project’s Outreach and Communication plans as stated above.

·      Developing tools, templates and guidance for staff’s use to ensure compliance to the project’s branding and marking requirements.

·      Developing a social media editorial plan.

·      Developing appropriately branded and marked templates and products and advise the team on the branding applications in various project materials.

·      Conducting periodic branding and marking audit with consortium partners and their sub-awardees.

·      documenting the process and lessons learned in developing communications products for early grades education through good practices briefs and other materials.

·      Continuously updating editorial style guide and publishing standards for project communications and knowledge products.

·      Managing the editorial production of biweekly highlights, success stories, press releases, newsletter and project videos that communicate the project’s impact.

·      Developing project communications materials, including graphic design and layout, copywriting, copy-formatting, copyediting and multimedia production.

In collaboration with other project teams, lead in

·      Establishing the project’s speakers bureau or pool of early education. champions/ambassadors who can credibly speak about the project’s impact and explain context-relevant issues on early literacy, math and socio-emotional learning and their links to improved learning outcomes and quality education.

·      Design targeted messages for project stakeholders that build a strong case for support to early grades education investments and adoption of positive behaviors on early literacy, math and socio-emotional learning.

·      Supporting DepEd in strengthening its communications systems through conduct of rapid communications assessment to identify gaps and possible areas of support and convergence and map out a plan for technical assistance.

·      Ensuring the project’s compliance with USAID’s branding and marking guidelines and approved messages.

·      Identifying the project’s communications needs and develop creative briefs and scopes of work for creative consultants and/or firm to support the development and production of these materials. 

·      Managing the work of short-term creative consultants and provide art direction in collaboration with team leads that require such work

·      Setting up a system for materials development and production, storing and archiving of project communications products.

·      Working closely with other team members (MEL Advisor, technical component leads) to gather and synthesize project-related technical information and data.

·      Working with the technical team to write success stories, lessons learned, and activity reports and collaborate with USAID’s DOC team to coordinate project messaging and communications activities with USAID’s efforts.

·      Contributing to the development and preparation of project plans and reports.

·      Training staff to enhance their project communications, photography, and success story writing skills.

·      Working with the KM team to promote knowledge sharing through the organization’s processes, systems and departments/units by helping develop and strengthen links to facilitate exchange of information.

·      Planning and execution of high-profile events with high-level US and Philippine governments’ participation in coordination with the regional teams.

·      Serving as project protocols officer during events in coordination with USAID.

·      Establish national and local media contacts and support for the project and early grades education.

·      documenting results, best practices and lessons learned from the campaigns that can shared and replicated in other education settings and contexts

·      Analyzing and reporting social media analytics to inform social media engagement strategy and content development.

Minimum Qualifications:

·    Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, Literature, Education, International Development, or related field and at least 12 years of experience working in social behavior change communications or in communications for an international development partner is highly desirable, or Master’s degree and 10 years of experience

·    Experience working on USAID-funded programs and familiarity with USAID rules and regulations governing branding and marking will be an advantage  

·    Experience in writing technical content for wide range of audience (technical and non-technical), design, and publication processes, including print and digital dissemination.

·    Ability to work with layout and graphic art professionals

·    Knowledge of Microsoft Word and PowerPoint required. Ability to use Adobe suite design software a plus.

·     Strong interpersonal skills and ability.

·     Must be professionally proficient and fluent in written and spoken in primary language. It is preferred, but not required, that the candidate be conversant and fluent in the native language and/or other local languages.

To Apply: Qualified candidates are invited to apply and send their application to the email address mentioned in the company profile. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. only short-listed applicants will be contacted.