BACKGROUND:
Right To Play is a global organization, using the transformative power of play to educate and empower children facing adversity. Through playing sports and games, Right To Play helps over one million children learn through play to create better futures, while operating in more than 20 countries each week. Founded in 2000 by social entrepreneur and four-time Olympic gold medalist Johann Olav Koss, Right To Play is headquartered in Toronto, Canada and has national fundraising offices in Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Regional offices are in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Our programs are facilitated by more than 600 international staff and 14,400 local volunteer Coaches.
Visit us at www.righttoplay.com
JOB SUMMARY:
The Africa Communications Officer (ACO) is responsible for the overall development and execution of Right To Play’s internal and external communication strategies across the Africa region: Ethiopia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda, Ghana, Mali, Benin, Liberia, Rwanda). This role manages all aspects of communications planning, including media relations, Africa key messaging; print/audio visual materials production, writing, and branding.
The ACO will develop communications and informational materials about Right To Play’s program activities and achievements in the Region to support fundraising and communications efforts at the Field and International level (including success stories, videos, factsheets, communications propocols, social media and applicable photographs), and will assist in building Right To Play’s communication strategy across the Region.
The ACO is responsible for accurate representation of Right To Play and its program activities with all target audiences in the Region including media, funders, government, community leaders and other key stakeholders. Further, the ACO will assist with enhancing the organization’s overall public image in the Region.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
II. RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS:
Job Responsibility #1 Communications Planning and Strategy (20%)
1. Develop and implement annual Africa Communications plans, in line with the organization’s global plan, that are designed to maximize program impact, brand awareness, and fundraising goals.
2. Develop and implement a crisis/issues management communication plan, in line with Right To Play International (RTPI), designed to manage issues and crises with minimal brand risk.
3. Ensure that communication plans are in-line with all project grant agreements and reports.
4. Implement communications deliverables as required by project grant agreements and reports.
Job Responsibility #2: Media Relations: (10%)
1. Establish, develop and maintain relationships with international, regional, and country based media, and conduct appropriate media pitching/liaising; including writing media releases, media advisories, and reactive/proactive statements.
2. Serve as spokesperson in Africa for Right To Play when delegated to do so by the Vice President, Africa Programs or the Africa General Manager.
3. Build capacity of spokespeople in the Region to communicate accurately and effectively about Right To Play and its programs – including Country Managers, Project Managers, Project Officers, and Coaches.
4. Closely monitor, track and analyze media coverage for Right To Play and Sport for Development in the Region.
5. Partner with media agencies and local opinion leaders to build their understanding and expertise in leveraging popularity of sport and play based learning.
Job Responsibility #3: Communications/Advocacy Materials Production (35%)
1. Develop an Africa -wide system to produce program success stories, quotes and photographs that are shared with RTPI on a monthly basis for communications and fundraising purposes.
2. Take photographs and write human interest stories, and gather quotes by interviewing staff, children, Coaches and families who benefit from Right To Play’s work and share with RTPI for use in all communications and fundraising materials.
3. Provide training and build capacity designated at Africa Office and Country staff, to deliver usable materials and information to meet RTPI and Africa needs.
4. Establish and develop portfolio of freelancers that can be used for in-region photography and videography. Facilitate hiring of in-region photographers and freelancers as needed
5. Job Responsibility #4: Internal Communications across the Organization (30%)
1. Act as a link between the Africa Office and RTPI to promote a two-way communication and
accountability.
2. Work with RTPI to ensure that all Right To Play products, communications, and actions in the
Region follow brand guidelines.
3. Oversee and approve all merchandise/print orders in the Region before being printed; including
but not limited to t-shirts, signs, etc.
4. Accompany and support high-profile visitors to the Region, while developing and implementing
media strategies for their visit; including preparing background materials, relevant packages, and
team briefings.
5. Act as a “point person” on the playspace intranet and liaise with RTPI and Africa staff on all
content.
Job Responsibility #8: Other Responsibilities as Required (5%)
III. QUALIFICATIONS**
Education: A degree in communications, public relations, journalism or related fields
Experience and Core Competencies:
• At least seven to ten years of relevant employment experience, preferably in the region.
• Demonstrable experience in developing communication, and media plans and materials.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English, and French
• Comprehensive computer skills; fully conversant with Microsoft Office software and at least one publishing software.
• Excellent written and oral presentation skills and ability to communicate to a variety of audiences, including the media, the public, government officials, NGOs, Right To Play’s affiliates, and others.
• Good knowledge of the NGO, media, and political environment in the region.
• Experience in media relations.
• Experience in managing supplier relationships.
• Editing/proofreading.
• Strong people and facilitation skills.
• Creative and able to work well under pressure.
• Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
Desirable:
• Demonstrable experience in policy/ networking, and poverty reduction strategies and a commitment to gender equity.
• An interest in human rights and social change issues.
• Experience social media strategy and execution.
• Experience with photography, and videography.
• Fluency in Portuguese language
Personal Attributes:
• A team player who works well in a multi-cultural environment communicates readily and shares learning with colleagues, partners, beneficiaries and officials.
• An outgoing person who is skilled at building and maintaining relationships.
• A sound commitment to development issues and an ability and aptitude to learn quickly.
• Prepared to undertake extensive travel in the region and sometimes at short notice.
• Confidence to work alone but to judge when help is needed or there is an opportunity to share learning.
• Able to work in a busy environment and under intense pressure.
• Able to manage heavy workload reporting to multiple audiences.
• Familiarity and interest in sports and Sport for Development, and Play Based Learning
HOW TO APPLY:
If you are interested in applying for this position, please send your resume and cover letter to:UgandaHR@righttoplay.com and kindly include “Africa Communications Officer” and your name in the subject line. Please indicate your salary expectations in the cover letter.
While we thank all applicants for their interest, only those selected for interviews will be contacted. Right To Play is a child-centered organization. Our recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to the safety and protection of children in our programs. The successful candidate will be required to provide a satisfactory police record check as a condition of employment.
