Regional Humanitarian Information and Communications Manage at Save the Children

The Humanitarian Information and Communications Manager (HIC Manager) will play a pivotal role is helping the ESARO and COs narrate this change through both a macro level story of aid sector reform as well as the specific emergency responses. The HIC Manager will oversee the regular and timely dissemination of humanitarian related issues in the region. This includes, but is not limited to: Regional analysis and foresight products highlighting particular trends, or emergent issues, emergency response updates through coordination with CO info comms leads, innovation and creative solutions to communication challenges. The role will have a variety of audiences that it will be required to cater for, including but not limited to, internal leadership, SC Movement at large, Country Offices, Peer agencies and networks, donors and governments.

During large and complex emergency responses, the role will backstop COs and their response teams and support them in ensuring key deliverables are provided such as communications packs, key messages, situation reports, dashboards, briefings, fact sheets and other information and communications products as required.

As well as overseeing more than 20 active emergency responses spanning 14 countries with a humanitarian portfolio circa $200m, the Region is pursuing a progressive change agenda which aims to re-identify how humanitarian action is perceived and delivered in ESA. Whilst budgets are stable or incrementally growing, the scale of humanitarian need is outstripping this exponentially, not only in ESA but across the world. The humanitarian architectures and normative behaviours based around the Global North providing support to the Global South are being eroded, civil society space is shrinking across the region and an anti-western sentiment is growing. To ensure SC can deliver against its strategy for 2022 – 24 it is imperative that we recognise this need to change, especially within our approaches to humanitarian action. This function would be a primary function to interpret, disseminate and influence change across the internal organisation and select external entities on the regional Humanitarian Unit’s vision, ambition and progress. The progressive nature of the Humanitarian Unit ensures a high level of influence on the future relevance so the presentation is of critical importance.

In order to be successful, you will bring/have:

Essential

•  Education to an Advanced degree level in a relevant subject or equivalent field experience
• Proven experience of developing and managing the production of communications materials for INGOs or other similar organisations in emergencies and in humanitarian crises for a minimum of seven years.
• Can produce accurate, clear and consistent information and communication outputs relating to both programme support and humanitarian situation – including key messages, Q&A’s and factsheets, case studies, press releases, media statements, briefs amongst others
• Evidence of excellent English verbal and written communication skills for a wide range of different audiences including donors, journalists and the ‘general public’. Ability to strategically target a wide range of audiences is essential.
• Deep understanding of the East and Southern Africa context, specifically the countries in the Horn of Africa, and South Sudan and Uganda, and particularly relating to international NGO work
• Excellent relationship building skills in order to work across all Country Offices and various Members
• The ability to support the communications team in high-pressure situations, with changing deadlines and priorities, and in a complex humanitarian situation; 
• Understanding of how to manage strategic media engagement in politically sensitive environments essential.
• Experience in leading information and communication flows between emergency responses and a variety of internal and external stakeholders;
• Proven ability to work with communities and partners to gather case studies, testimonies and information on the humanitarian situation and on programmes.
• Excellent IT skills, especially in Microsoft Word, technical aptitude in MS Office.
• Excellent understanding of communication and information needs across fundraising, media and campaigning activities, as well donor and member requirements and standards;
• Experience in capacity building and managing humanitarian communications teams;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion.  Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy;
• An initiative-taking, proactive, inspiring attitude with the ability to manage and prioritise an unpredictable workload and solve problems quickly with limited support;
• Ability to fact check, proofread, edit and draft materials;
• The capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult working circumstances.
• Commitment and interest in Save the Children's mission, vision and values. In particular, a good understanding of Save the Children mandate and child focus and an ability to ensure this continues to underpin our support

Desired

•  Prior experience working in ESA contexts
• Photo editing and graphic design skills. Experience with design and audio-visual software is an advantage;
• Experience of delivering training, presentations and other capacity building activities to varied audiences