Communications Manager

INTRODUCTION TO GIRLS NOT BRIDES

Girls Not Brides is the only global organisation uniquely focused on creating and sustaining a worldwide movement to end child marriage and ensuring that this movement leads to tangible change for the girls at risk or affected by the practice. We are a network of over 1,600 civil society organisations in over 100 countries working in partnership to end child marriage.

Our vision is a world without child marriage where girls and women enjoy equal status with boys and men and are able to achieve their full potential in all aspects of their lives. Our vision challenges deeply embedded social norms that harm the lives of girls, women and their communities.

INTRODUCTION TO THE ROLE

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Communications Manager to join our team. The successful individual will be expected to contribute to the design – and oversee – the delivery of successful communications, digital and media strategies for Girls Not Brides. They will be expected to bring a global communications lens into all aspects of the Partnership’s work, including; providing creative input to the planning of global meetings and events; ensuring effective messaging and branding; and identifying innovative approaches to foster member collaboration. The Communications Manager will manage three members of the Communications Team and collaborate closely with our teams based in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

They will also work with colleagues, trustees, high-level champions, and other advocates to ensure that our key messages are effectively delivered to target audiences. Driven by a belief in the power of partnership, they will engage and support Girls Not Brides member organisations to tell their own stories, and encourage collaboration, with humility and sensitivity. Excellent English language written and verbal communication skills are essential, and spoken and written French and/or Spanish are desirable.

Job location London, UK (Hybrid with three days on site)

Accountable to Director of Communications, Advocacy and Campaigns

Salary range £44,100 rising on an annual incremental basis. Girls Not Brides also offers a generous 10% pension.

Contract This is a permanent full-time role. The successful candidate must have the right to work in the United Kingdom*.*

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Communications leadership

• Oversee and contribute to the writing and editing of communications materials for both internal and external audiences (both online and in print) including pieces for our digital platforms and social media posts.
• Draft op-eds, speeches, talking points and other high-impact communication materials working in collaboration with the CEO, Directors, Heads and other members of the global team as relevant.
• Oversee the coordination of media outreach at international and national levels, working with communications colleagues to promote awareness of child marriage, the work of our member organisations and the strategies and resources required to end it.
• Manage and contribute to the messaging of social media campaigns for major initiatives and relevant international days.
• Lead on the collation, drafting, editing and dissemination of Girls Not Brides‘ regular newsletter.
• Develop and ensure consistent messaging for Girls Not Brides‘ leadership, secretariat team, champions and the broader partnership.
• Work with, and lead, the Communications Team to manage the drafting, editing and distribution of all external communications materials.
• Work with communications and in-country teams to commission relevant print, broadcast, photography, films, videos and other online materials for use across different geographies.
• Oversee the preparation and editing of reports and other materials, including by identifying and managing relevant external consultants.
• Engage and manage communications consultants and contractors, where required.

Editorial content, planning and storytelling

• Plan the editorial content calendar, liaising closely with and supported by the Senior Leadership Team, Head of Development & Outreach, Heads of Engagement in Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and Communications Officers.
• Work with colleagues across the organisation to source potential stories and identify compelling voices and great storytelling through regular engagement with the Girls Not Brides team and member organisations.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to develop compelling digital content, including articles, news items, blogs, social media assets, videos, long-form stories, etc.
• Coordinate, support drafting and edit blogs, news, publications and other articles from member organisations, partners and the Girls Not Brides team, with the support of communications colleagues.
• Measure the impact across our digital channels, making sure the content is on brand and follows best practice; keep track of the latest trends and adapt our approach where required.
• Support communications colleagues in Africa, Asia and LAC in developing consistent digital content for the website.
• Liaise with communications colleagues in Africa, Asia and LAC to deliver messages showcasing the expertise, talents and resources of Girls Not Brides member organisations.

Website management and development

• Manage Girls Not Brides’ websites in three languages, working in collaboration with other Communications Officers to build Girls Not Brides’ online presence, including social media management, digital communications, website development and content creation.
• Manage ongoing development and improvement of Girls Not Brides’ websites, providing a continually improved user journey.
• Support the Director of Communications, Advocacy and Campaigns to develop and implement Girls Not Brides’ website plan as part of the digital approach / strategy.
• Plan and lead on the continued development of Girls Not Brides’ websites, ensuring that they adhere to the brand guidelines.
• Liaise with web agenies as a primary point of contact and ensure that all development work is planned and carried out within agreed budget and timescales.
• Work with colleagues across the organisation to ensure content is relevant, up-to-date and on brand at all times, and reflects the latest digital trends and best practice.
• Track and analyse traffic to the Girls Not Brides website; identify ways to reach key audiences and increase brand visibility, including Search Engine Optimisation and advertising.
• Oversee the ongoing maintenance of the website, including content upload and bug fixes.

Extending the reach of Girls Not Brides and our member organisations

• Support the Development and Outreach team to:
  1. Manage communications around our Secretariat Strategy and outreach events, meetings for Girls Not Brides team members and Trustees’ visits to high-prevalence and donor countries.
  2. Proactively identify opportunities (including trips, events and media appearances) to profile the voices of key advocates to reach target audiences, and work with these advocates to ensure effective delivery.
  3. Nurture ongoing relationships with Girls Not Brides Champions and other spokespersons and advocates across sectors (including politics, business, grassroots activists and NGOs).
• Contribute to the broader strategic, policy and programmatic work of Girls Not Brides.

Internal Communications

• Provide strategic communications advice and support to cross-team projects.
• Work with the Publications Officer to manage brand identity across all communications and other platforms, alignment with brand guidelines and style guide.
• Alongside other colleagues in the Communications Team, provide support and coaching to team members, the Board of Trustees, and other champions for media and public appearances as required.

Wider organisational responsibilities

• Commit to the mission and vision of Girls Not Brides, putting these at the forefront of all planning, work and actions.
• Uphold the core values of Girls Not Brides in all areas of work and interactions with colleagues, member organisations, partners and other stakeholders.
• Line manage roles and consultants as necessary, delegating responsibilities and tasks as appropriate.
• Comply with Girls Not Brides’ policies and processes, with particular note for safeguarding, diversity and inclusion, the code of conduct and data protection.
• Prepare and deliver reports for the Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees, as necessary.
• Ensure that internal databases and monitoring information are kept fully up-to-date.
• Commit to ongoing personal development and learning.
• Fulfil any other reasonable requests for the advancement of Girls Not Brides.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential experience

• Relevant tertiary educational/professional background, or extensive proven experience working in communications.
• Proven experience working effectively with media contacts.
• Crisis and reputation management experience, as well as maturity and discretion.
• Experience in working with, and amplifying, the voices of a wide range of stakeholders, including grassroots activists and high-profile figures.
• Experience in using communications to advance a cause.
• Experience working with diverse networks of organisations and people in different cultural environments.

Essential skills and knowledge

• Demonstrated ability to contribute to the creation, development and delivery of effective communications strategies on global social issues, that align with, and further, an organisation’s strategic goals.
• Experience in creating media content, web content, managing online community engagement and/or online campaigning.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage internal communications.
• Recognition that communications is important to all aspects of an organisation’s work.
• Excellent writing skills, including a demonstrated ability to write engaging, clear and concise copy for varied audiences.
• A keen eye for accuracy and detail.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to support the Communications Team and other colleagues to deliver high quality, effective and timely messages using conventional and new media platforms.
• Strong management skills including experience managing a team as well as external contractors such as PR companies, web developers, video crews and photographers.
• Strong project management skills.
• Ability to prepare and manage budgets related to the Communications Team’s work.
• Ability to work across teams, with colleagues based outside of London.
• Ability to work with sensitivity and diplomacy with a range of stakeholders, including minors and people living in insecurity or situations that put them at risk.
• Ability to respectfully guide spokespersons who may not have had prior experience speaking to the media.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision, meet tight deadlines and juggle multiple priorities.
• Interest in social justice issues and women’s and girls’ rights and gender equality.
• Willingness to travel internationally, when necessary, sometimes at short notice.

Essential values and attributes

• Strong commitment to the mission and values of Girls Not Brides, including an understanding of approaches to support girls’ and women’s rights and agency, and support for gender equality.
• Skilled team worker with an inclusive and collaborative approach, in line with Girls Not Brides’ values.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

Desirable

• Fluency in French and Spanish is highly desirable; proficiency in another relevant language is desirable.
• Experience working in – or with partners based in – the Global South is strongly preferred.

Safeguarding

Girls Not Brides is committed to safeguarding all children, young people and adults at risk with whom our staff and representatives work and interface. Any employment with Girls Not Brides may be subject to the satisfactory completion of a background check and a criminal records check which can include but is not limited to: an overseas police record check, a Disclosure and Barring Service Check (for those based in the UK) or an International Criminal Record Check (if applicable).