Communications Manager

Based in Bangkok, SEI Asia has a diverse team of multinational experts that integrates scientific research with participatory approaches to co-develop and share knowledge, build partnerships and influence policy for resilient development. It focuses on gender and social equity, climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, water insecurity and integrated water resources management, transitional agriculture, renewable energy and urbanization.

SEI Asia is an affiliate of Chulalongkorn University (CU), Thailand. SEI and CU have inked a long-term agreement until 2023 to foster innovative scientific research combined with effective policy engagement on development and environmental challenges in Asia. The key areas of collaboration are intellectual engagement for joint research applications and fund mobilization, lecturing and seminars for CU students post-graduate supervision and examination, and CU-SEI employee links.

SEI Asia is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Communications Manager with a proven background in development and policy communication to oversee all internal and external communications for the centre. In this position, the person will be in charge of producing high-quality content that effectively communicates scientific research in different formats and for a range of audiences.

The Communications Manager will report directly to the Head of Communications – Asia Centre under the overall supervision of the Asia Centre Director.

The role

The Communications Manager ensures the effectiveness of SEI’s internal and external communications in Asia through close collaboration with SEI colleagues in Asia and the SEI global communications team. The Communications Manager will help SEI Asia researchers identify key audiences for their work and formulate key message in suitable formats targeted to those audiences. The Communications Manager will be responsible for supporting the implementation of SEI Asia’s communications strategy together with the centre and the SEI global communications team.

Key duties and responsibilities

• Create policy communications plan for SEI Asia Centre based on in-depth analysis and strategic communication approaches that effectively bridge science to policy
• Collaborate closely with research clusters to produce excellent written and multimedia outputs that highlight SEI’s work in Asia
• Lead communication activities for SEI Asia’s Strategic Collaborative Fund Phase 2 programme
• Review and ensure consistency in all communication products, including blogs, features and opinion pieces, as well as infographics, videos and podcasts
• Manage and grow SEI Asia’s online audience
• Support Centre Director and other senior staff in crafting speeches, messages and presentations to external events and workshops
• Connect with media partners to ensure coverage of SEI’s work in Asia
• Liaise with SEI global communications team on editorial and media activities.

Who you are

You are a dynamic communications professional with an extensive experience in writing for non-academic audiences, journalism, multimedia production and social media management. You think outside the box to attract policy decision makers and key audiences in Asia to our work. You challenge the status quo and push for innovation and creativity in getting the message across. You have fun and bring energy and enthusiasm for others learning from your outputs. Previous work experience on science communication in Asia is useful. A portfolio of work showing writing ability in different formats (op-eds in newspapers, blogs and features), multimedia outputs and social media experience is mandatory.

Formal qualifications and knowledge

• University degree with a minimum of 7 years’ experience or master’s degree with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in the field of communications, social sciences communications, public relations or related discipline
• Familiarity or working knowledge of environmental issues in the region
• Demonstrated and proven English language writing and journalism for producing online news stories, publicity materials, and social media posts (Twitter and Facebook). Candidate must provide portfolio of written outputs to illustrate competency in writing for different formats and outlets.
• Demonstrated experience to conceive of, write, edit and deliver effective and memorable key messages and talking points, and media outreach materials
• Demonstrated planning and communications experience for events and display booths
• Familiarity with social media and communications technologies required
• Able to work well both independently and within a variety of teams, contexts and cultures
• Excellent English communication skills (speaking, writing, and reading)
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Familiarity with multimedia or design software (Adobe InDesign, Final Cut Pro) an advantage.

Desirable qualifications

• Fluent in Asian language
• Experience working in an international and multicultural environment.

Personal skills

• Strong ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines
• Proven capacity to drive, plan and deliver on work and projects within area of expertise
• Proven capacity in task leadership and/or people management skills
• Capacity to prioritize and manage diverse range of tasks and activities
• Ability to act as a role model within organization
• Delegates effectively, follows up on actions and holds people accountable.

Full details of the role, please see Job Description.

Additional information

With a team comprising over 17 nationalities, SEI welcomes global applicants for all posts and provides an internationally competitive level NGO salary and benefits package, with all employee contracts under Thai labour laws.