Communications Manager

Start Network

Location Start Network countries of operation subject to local legislation (DRC, Bangladesh, Guatemala, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Senegal, Somalia, Kenya, South Sudan and the Philippines)
Salary Sector competitive salary and benefits based on the relevant country market
Team Communication and Digital
  • Closing: 2:51pm, 14th Oct 2021 BST

Job Description

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

We are seeking a Communications Manager to manage the communications function aimed at raising awareness of Start Network and our initiatives and programmes across our global membership, donors and external stakeholders.

 The successful candidate will have substantial communications experience in a membership organisation, funding provider, or charity.

Please note that this is a 13 months fixed-term position (with possible extension subject to funding). The post will be working 4 days a week.

START NETWORK

Start Network is made up of more than 50 aid agencies across five continents, ranging from large international organisations to national NGOs. Together, our aim is to transform humanitarian action through innovation, fast funding, early action, and localisation.

We're tackling what we believe are the biggest systemic problems that the sector faces. Problems including slow and reactive funding, centralised decision-making, and an aversion to change mean that people affected by crises around the world do not receive the best help fast enough, and needless suffering results. Our work focuses on three areas to change the system:

  • Localisation: shifting power to those closest to the front line for more effective response.

  • New forms of financing: providing fast, early, and predictable funding to improve community resilience and preparedness. .

  • Collective innovation: sharing expertise, insights and perspectives to shape a more effective humanitarian system.

The Start Network is at a critical point in its journey. We have grown and diversified our membership over the past 10 years. We are now set to evolve into a decentralised “network of networks” by 2025. We are currently working with five national and regional networks (hubs) in Pakistan, DRC, Guatemala, India and the Pacific. They are developing locally-owned ways of anticipating and responding to humanitarian crises. We aim to support the emergence and development of further Hubs in the coming years.  Our ultimate ambition is to devolve leadership, membership, programming and decision making to the hubs, while the UK team transitions to provide services of support.

We are currently exploring moving from a UK-based team to a more globally dispersed team, to increase diversity, and ensure we are representative of the communities we serve. Therefore, the post will be based outside the UK, and we are actively seeking to recruit within our countries of operation (DRC, Bangladesh, Guatemala, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Senegal, Somalia, Kenya, South Sudan and the Philippines). For these locations, the recruited staff member will be hosted by one of our member organisations or using a third-party host.

Start Network is committed to protecting people, particularly children, at-risk adults and affected populations from any harm that may be caused due to their encountering the Start Network as well as responding effectively should any harm occur.  We are also committed to safeguarding staff from any forms of bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination and abuse of power as outlined in the Dignity at Work policy. 

Start Network embraces diversity, promotes equality of opportunity and eliminates unlawful discrimination. We are an equal opportunities employer and treat every application on merit alone.  We particularly welcome applications from disabled, black, indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC), and LGBT+ and non-binary candidates.  We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet our essential selection criteria. 

JOB PURPOSE

The Communications Manager will be responsible for raising awareness of Start Network and our initiatives and programmes, such as the Start Funds, across our global membership, donors and external stakeholders. You will manage external communications, media, brand, and events and work with the digital officer to manage digital communications and social media.

The postholder will report into the Head of Communications & Digital at the Start Network, with a ‘dotted lines’ into (a matrix management approach) the Head of Start Funds, to ensure that communications meets the objectives of the Start Network Programmes. The Communications Manager will line manage the Communications Officer.

SKILLS

The post-holder will have demonstrable experience in external communications, brand, creative multi-media content, and media. They will be a great writer, editor with good attention to detail. They will have experience of managing budgets, suppliers and people.

The post-holder will be adept at forging and maintaining effective relationships and partnerships, across organisational and/or geographical boundaries. They will be a confident verbal communicator, negotiator and able to present complex information in an accessible way. They will be able to prioritise work, managing time and resources effectively. They will have a flexible, ‘can do’ attitude with the ability to manage an unpredictable workload.

The candidate will be passionate, proactive, open and adaptive to learning, they also will relish the opportunity to try different styles of communications and will willing to test new ways of working.

The post-holder will be fluent in English and preferably multi or bi-lingual with French, Arabic or Spanish.

Occasional travel required.

KEY ACTIVITIES

Content

  • Manage the creation and editing of inspirational, informative, and educational creative and multimedia content, for Start Fund and other Start Network’s initiatives and programmes

  • Create, edit, and commission high quality written content and thought leadership across the network

  • Work with members and the National Communications Advisors to gather stories and content about Start Network work at the national level

  • Work with the External Affairs and Advocacy Manager to lead colleagues and members in the generation of content that secures coverage in media and other channels and platforms

  • Manage external providers to create content in a variety of media, including photography, design, and video content

  • Work with the evidence team on the production of publications including the organisation's Annual Review

Brand, media & positioning 

  • Responsible for developing and implementing strategic communications plans using earned media, owned content, partnerships, and digital and social strategies

  • Maintain the Start Network brand and manage its use by members and partners, when communicating Start Network funded activity, such as through guidelines and templates

  • Manage any external agencies and designers using the Start Network brand in the creation of materials

  • Manage the organisation’s press office and work with the External Affairs and Advocacy Manager to ensure the positioning of Start Network in key media titles

Events, marketing and social media

  •  Work with the Digital Officer to manage the day-to-day communications of Start Network work on the website and on social media

  • Support the communications around Start Network events, to ensure the correct use of brand, the right delegates attend and to drive engagement through social media

  • Create e-marketing content to build engagement with key events, campaigns and programme launches

Strategy and leadership

  • Work closely with leaders in other functions establishing yourself as a trusted advisor to key partners

  • Drive the upskilling of the team in communications strategy, content production, including through templates, guidance and training

  • Ensure high quality and performance of communications, tracking deliverables and KPIs

  • Develop and manage the delivery of communications strategies to communicate the Start Network’s initiatives and programmes

  • Manage the organisation’s reputation and crisis communications of the Start Funds

  • Manage budgets and suppliers in the delivery of communication activities.

PERSON PROFILE – COMPETENCIES

  • Promote different ways to engage different audiences, advising others on how to maximise impact through feedback and coaching

  • Flex communication style to convey complex information concisely to different audiences, avoiding jargon and using simple language

  • Hold others to account for their work in consideration of strategic goals by looking at decisions in relation to our theory of change, vision, mission and purpose

  • Actively promote collaboration by spotting and breaking down barriers to siloed working, connecting colleagues, teams and initiatives

  • Develop teams by creating safe spaces for them to be challenged and supported to try new things and learn from one another

  • Develop teams by creating safe spaces for them to be challenged and supported to try new things and learn from one another

  • Enable others to deliver results by setting direction, providing clarity around roles and responsibilities, and creating a positive culture

  • Identify opportunities and take calculated risks to capitalise on opportunities that further our purpose and mission without compromising our vision

Please note that any offer of employment is subject to relevant checks. Please refer to our privacy statement and candidate privacy notice regarding treatment of your data.

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, so please apply early where possible. We reserve the right to close applications early if we reach a satisfactory number of applications. Early applications are highly encouraged.

Removing bias from the hiring process

Applications closed Thu 14th Oct 2021

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Removing bias from the hiring process

  • Your application will be anonymously reviewed by our hiring team to ensure fairness
  • You’ll need a CV/résumé, but it’ll only be considered if you score well on the anonymous review

Applications closed Thu 14th Oct 2021