Director - Strategic Communications

Title:                                 Director - Strategic Communications

Category:                        Fixed Term - Professional

Duty Station:                 Rome, Italy - Headquarters

ABOUT IDLO

The International Development Law Organization (IDLO) enables governments and empowers people to reform laws and strengthen institutions to promote peace, justice, sustainable development and economic opportunity. We contribute to creating stable and inclusive societies where every person can live free from fear and want, in dignity and under the rule of law.

To learn more about IDLO, please visit our website www.idlo.int or follow us on Twitter @IDLO.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT 

The Department of Strategic Communications plans, develops and implements strategies and activities to position IDLO as a key player on rule of law and access to justice, build partnerships and promote, protect and enhance IDLO’s ‘brand’. 

It ensures best practices in designing and producing high quality communications and multi-media tools to increase awareness about IDLO’s work and raise the profile of the Organization. It collaborates closely with teams responsible for Government Relations and Strategic Partnerships to ensure IDLO’s achievements are properly communicated, using and creative and cutting-edge tools and approaches.  It collaborates with other entities in IDLO, including the UN Liaison Offices, the Department of Research and Learning, Government Relations Unit and the Office of the Director-General, to promote IDLO’s policy advocacy priorities with the UN, governments and other stakeholders. It supports IDLO’s program and program development teams and field offices to ensure that communications and outreach activities are integrated in IDLO’s activities around the world.

THE POSITION 

The Director for Strategic Communications leads and manages the Department of Strategic Communications, conceptualizing and overseeing the execution of communications strategies and activities, and contributing to the implementation of IDLO’s policy advocacy agenda, including through collaboration with internal stakeholders and effective outreach to external audiences. S/he is a member of the Senior Leadership Team and participates in corporate decision-making processes.     

Working under the supervision of the Director-General (DG), the Director for Strategic Communications is responsible for the following activities:

A. Strategic communications:

• Develop and execute innovative strategic communications and outreach plans, monitor progress, assess results/impact and ensure that IDLO communications are effectively delivered, and that outreach activities are successfully implemented;
• Lead and coordinate a media strategy, ensuring advice and support to IDLO offices on handling media queries, developing regular contact with target media, fostering constructive media relations and appropriate and timely response to media requests;
• Oversee communication activities, including media relations, digital and publications, to raise the organization’s profile and highlight its achievements through innovative as well as traditional approaches and a robust stakeholder engagement strategy;
• Guide IDLO’s overall communications approach, including on digital platforms, to ensure quality, accuracy of messaging, functionality, storytelling appeal, and engagement with different target audiences, tracking trends and identifying effective approaches;
• Uphold editorial integrity through effective commissioning and approval processes for all external publications and materials, including media outputs, digital/multimedia content, e‐newsletters, leaflets, factsheets and reports, amongst others, and implement the communications governance plan, including production protocols and other relevant policy and style guidelines;
• Anticipate and manage reputational risk and crisis in a timely and effective manner, providing support and guidance to other Departments and field offices as appropriate;
• Working closely with the Office of the General Counsel, ensure protection of IDLO’s intellectual property and compliance with legal standards and policies;

B. Advocacy and Outreach:

• Working closely with the Director, Research and Learning, IDLO’s UN Liaison Offices and relevant colleagues in Headquarters and field offices, develop and implement IDLO’s policy advocacy strategy in line with the goals and priorities set out in IDLO’s Strategy 2020 and Annual Management Plan;
• Provide support and guidance on advocacy and outreach activities in Rome, New York, Geneva, The Hague and other locations to engage and influence key stakeholders, raise IDLO’s visibility and enhance its profile;
• Coordinate and collaborate closely with IDLO’s UN Offices, Government Relations and Strategic Partnerships Units to ensure advocacy and communications strategies are effectively tailored to meet the governmental, inter-governmental non-governmental partners
• Ensure that advocacy, communication and outreach strategies are integrated effectively into all aspects of IDLO’s programs, from the design and proposal stage to project implementation;
• Represent the Organization, as required, in conferences and public events, and carry out public speaking engagements to promote IDLO vision, missions, goals and objectives;
• Design and oversee the implementation of a communications/outreach strategy with IDLO’s networks and stakeholder groups, including IDLO’s “alumni” groups and civil society partners.

C. Management:

• Serve as a member of the IDLO Senior Leadership Team and contribute to the design and     delivery of IDLO’s Strategic and Annual Management Plans;
• Effectively lead staff by providing clear direction, managing performance through regular dialogue, feedback, and mentoring; motivate and support staff by fostering teamwork; address possible conflicts in a positive and constructive manner; encourage initiative and maintain effective working relationships within a multi-cultural setting;
• Develop and manage the annual program of work and budget for the Department for External Relations;
• Actively identify both internal and external clients to whom services are provided and seek to understand and address clients’ needs and expectations with effective and  appropriate solutions; and
• Perform other related duties as requested by the Director-General.

   

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE 

IDLO seeks a Director for Strategic Communications with a deep interest and passion for the organization’s mission. The ideal candidate must bring extensive experience in design and implementation of advocacy and communication strategies as well as management experience of a multi-cultural team and ability to coordinate across a global organization. S/he should be an effective mentor, strategic thinker and strong collaborator in order to fully leverage IDLO’s advocacy and communications, with the ability to manage a diverse and dynamic workload and gain trust and credibility.

• Master’s degree in mass communications, political science, international relations, development studies or related field, is required. Specialization in Media Studies, Development Communication is an advantage.
• A minimum of 15 years professional experience in progressively responsible leadership roles is required.
• Substantial experience of corporate communications and advocacy is essential.
• Experience in a governmental or intergovernmental organization is an advantage.
• Significant management experience of teams, projects and budgets is essential.
• Work experience in the global South is strongly preferred.

SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE / LANGUAGE SKILLS/ COMPETENCIES 

• Fluency in English essential, working knowledge of French and/or Spanish desirable;
• Demonstrated capacity as a self-starter with a proven ability to produce results and maintain credibility of the legal function;
• Proven ability to lead and manage change in a fast-paced and rapidly evolving environment;
• Strong client-oriented approach and customer service ethics; proven ability to build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Demonstrated partnership building, relationship management, and coalition leadership;
• Proven capacity to negotiate and resolve delicate issues in a diplomatic and balanced way;
• Strong inter-personal skills, able to promote mutual respect and trust, and relate to people from different cultures;
• Impeccable integrity, sense of ethics and commitment to IDLO's mandate.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This is a fixed-term internationally recruited senior leadership position with an annual salary in the range of €105,000 plus applicable benefits and allowances. The IDLO benefit package in accordance with IDLO Employee regulations and Rules includes: Provident Fund (IDLO contribution 14%) and subsidized health insurance coverage including life insurance, medical and dental through CIGNA International to the employee and eligible dependents plus other admissible benefits. Relocation support is available for internationally recruited employees.  

The remuneration is net of income tax for those without Italian nationality or permanent residence. 

HOW TO APPLY

All interested applicants are encouraged to apply via APPLY below and submit the completed IDLO Personal History Form (PHF), resume and cover letter. 

Women candidates are particularly encouraged to apply. 

IDLO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in all areas of its operations. 

DISCLAIMER AND CLOSING DATE 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the staff member assigned to this work. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. 

The Director-General of IDLO reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities or even to cancel the recruitment to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

Application deadline is: May 14, 2018 (23:59hrs Rome Time).