Campaigns and Communications Manager

The Global Campaign for Education (GCE) is a civil society movement that aims to end exclusion in education. Education is a basic human right, and GCE’s mission is to make sure that governments act now to deliver the right of everyone to a free, quality, public education.

Based in Johannesburg, The Global Campaign for Education (GCE) seeks to fill the position of:

CAMPAIGNS AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

The incumbent will provide strategic leadership and management of GCE’s campaigns, and communications to support the achievement of the strategic and political objectives of the Global Campaign for Education and its members.

Key responsibilities for the Campaigns and Communications Manager will include:

• Campaigns:

  • Lead on the strategic planning, management and operations of all GCE’s campaigns by setting clear goals, target and timelines
  • Lead on the development of strategic partnerships to inform and enable the success and effectiveness of GCE led campaign efforts
  • Develop a strong external campaign network and manage high level relationships
  • Draft the annual campaigns work plan, including measurable performance objectives for campaigns, ensuring they are aligned with the overall GCE’s objectives and theory of change;
  • Develop and work in collaboration with internal stakeholders to deliver fast-paced, high-profile, rapid response campaigns that leverage traditional media and digital tools to win real impact while mobilizing our grassroots membership;

• Communications:

  • Planning, organising, and managing overall communication strategies for GCE publicly, for the GCE membership and with GCE partners
  • Overseeing internal and external communications, in close relation with the Global Coordinator and other GCE related staff
  • Overseeing the production of all GCE official publications including newsletters, annual reports, briefings etc
  • Overseeing the content development for GCE’s digital platforms – i.e. GCE websites, social media, including the functionality of those platforms
  • Overseeing production of GCE’s film/video communications.
  • Supporting the communication goals of GCE regarding global, regional and national advocacy, and including the management of GCE’s e-campaigning strategies (direct actions and social media).

• Fundraising:

  • Contribute to fundraising and proposal development.
  • Contribute to the development of reports and feedbacks to donors/funders

• Management and team engagement:

  • Contribute to strategic discussions and planning with other GCE senior management staff
  • and participate in regular senior management team meetings.
  • Lead the development of the annual Campaigns and Communications team plans.
  • Manage and supervise the Communications Coordinator and Communication and Campaigns Intern, as well as the Campaign and Design Officer
  • Provide inputs to GCE Board meetings as and when necessary.
  • Represent the GCE in relevant meetings, events, especially those related to campaigns and communications

• M&E and reporting:

  • In collaboration with the MEL team, identify progress indicators and campaigns’ result frameworks;
  • Track progress towards relevant performance indicators, analysing reasons for shortfalls and adapting campaigns strategies as needed;
  • Maintain regular communication with the Head of Policy, Advocacy & Campaigns providing periodic updates on progress on implementation
  • Coordinate and produce internal and external reports on campaign activities as required, to ensure stakeholders and members receive consistent and relevant campaign information, in order to increase and maintain interest in the campaign;
  • On completion of a campaign, prepare a comprehensive campaign report to document and disseminate lessons learnt and experiences from campaigns

• Grants and budget management:

  • Manage the dispersal of aligned grants across the movement and on strategic campaign activities;
  • Oversee budgets aligned with the grant funding.

The Campaigns and Communications Manager must meet the following requirements:

• A commitment to GCE’s core values, principles and mission to promote the right to education.
• Advanced University degree (Master’s) in social sciences, journalism/public information, communication or other related field, or comparable experience
• 7 years of progressive experience in campaigning, information, communications and media relations, with at least two years at the international level.
• Knowledge of current campaigning practices and strategies of civil society organisations on their role in policy influencing.
• Knowledge of current theories and practices in communication research planning and strategy on the role of the mass media.
• Proven ability to manage relationships with media representatives and GCE members and partners
• Proven skills in communication, networking, strategic thinking, campaigning, negotiation and ability to relate this to mass media
• Proven ability to conceptualize, plan and execute ideas as well as transfer knowledge and skills to members and partners of the GCE.
• Ability to express clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in written and oral form.
• An understanding of grassroots civil society activism, especially networks and the ability to motivate and engage staff and individuals from diverse coalition member organizations.
• Cultural sensitivity, ability to work with colleagues in different locations and demonstrated ability to work successfully with diverse constituencies.
• Experience of managing high-quality campaigns, and advocacy publications, including across multiple countries.
• Experience of writing and presenting advocacy/campaign messages and communication statements for external policy audiences such as education ministries and donor forums.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and strong writing and communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills over email, by phone and in person.
• Ability to work on tight deadlines and to prioritize a complex workload.