Communications Officer - P3

About Better Work
We mobilize global brands, governments, factory owners and workers to improve working conditions, drive competitiveness and create a more equitable, more prosperous world.

The Power of Convening
As a partnership between the UN’s International Labour Organization and the World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation, we know how to bring diverse groups together to create positive action that improves working conditions while stimulating productivity and competitiveness.

A Proven Approach
We create lasting, measurable change by empowering factories to improve the working conditions in their facilities. Our assessments are the global gold standard for rigour and integrity. Our training programs and advisory services change attitudes as well as behaviours.

National Action/ Global Influence
Through our comprehensive, university-led research, and by sharing best practices from our on-the-ground experience, we are able to shape the agenda well beyond the countries in which we work, influencing governments, brands and policy makers to make improving working conditions a top priority

Purpose
Our work and our research have demonstrated – to employers, unions, global brands and governments – that improving working conditions and defending the rights of workers benefits all of us. We’ve improved the lives of more than 3 million workers, and millions more family members, while enhancing the profitability of their employers. There is no trade-off between better work and better business.

For more information about the project see www.betterwork.org.
 

Function

Under the supervision of the Head of Buyers, Communications, and Better Work Americas, oversee the communications strategy supporting the Better Work global programme; coordinate and ensure consistency in public communications across Better Work global and country programmes; mentor and support communications and marketing staff (or staff with communications responsibilities) in country programme.

Responsibilites

1.    In close consultation with the Director and senior managers, designs and implements communication and advocacy strategies and activities to enhance relations with and influence international stakeholders (including donors, policymakers, buyers, international workers’ and employers’ organizations, academics and civil society). 
2.    Ensures that key learnings, including from Better Work’s research and impact studies, are translated into targeted messages and shared through targeted channels, identifies strategic communication opportunities and follows up on those, including thematic campaigns, and further develops and maintains Better Work’s communications tools and channels.
3.    Provides support to Better Work global and country programmes on media engagement. This includes creation of a network with relevant international media to increase visibility for the programme’s approach and data and advocate around targeted topics.
4.    Oversees the Better Work content development plan to ensure regular updates to content on the Better Work website and through other channels such as social media.
5.    Ensures appropriate and consistent messaging and branding of Better Work’s communication products. 
6.    Ensures that Better Work responds to direct or indirect requests for information about the work of the programme and promotes better understanding of its objectives and activities. 
7.    Provides advice on external communications and marketing to Better Work country programme managers and staff with responsibility for communications and marketing and identifies opportunities to use country programme learning and results for broader communication purposes.
8.    Coordinates with the Director and senior managers to identify strategic opportunities to increase the visibility of Better Work among key audiences, including conferences and publications and supports the programme in the development and implementation of stakeholder engagement strategies.
9.    Liaises with ILO and IFC communication departments to promote outreach and to ensure that messages are consistent with organizational standards. Works with the Better Work Director and staff to identify and promote opportunities for sharing Better Work learning with ILO and IFC colleagues.
10.    Manages a network of external communications consultants to support Better Work on specific areas of work such as content development and media engagement.

University degree in communications, journalism, marketing or other relevant discipline.

Over five years of professional experience in communications, public information, or related fields of work at the national level, or three years at the international level.  Alternatively, over five years professional experience, or three at the international level, in the following fields and having significant responsibility for communication: private sector development in developing countries; corporate social responsibility (particularly in the field of labour standards compliance in global supply chains); development project management.

Proven experience in designing and implementing communications and advocacy campaigns to deliver organisational objectives.

Excellent knowledge of English. A working knowledge of French and/or Spanish is highly desirable.

    Excellent track record in implementing strategic communication, including engaging with international media and designing and executing advocacy campaigns.  
    Excellent written and oral communication skills, and ability to translate technical findings to advance policy positions, including engaging with and influencing international policy makers, international media and international stakeholders (including buyers).
    Familiarity with corporate social responsibility, especially related to labour issues in global supply chains.
    Ability to engage with international and local media, including preparing for and doing media interviews, preparing press releases and ensuring media attention for specific topics both at the international level and in country programs.
    Ability to analyse complex information from different sources and to synthesise this information into coherent briefs and communication documents in appropriate style and use traditional and new media channels for distribution.
    Ability to deal with discretion on sensitive issues, respond positively to challenges and find creative and innovative solutions to problems.
    Proactive approach to meeting deadlines and delivering results with limited supervision.
    Excellent interpersonal skills to facilitate work with a wide range of individuals and groups from culturally diverse publics; ability to use tact, diplomacy and persuasiveness.
    Good knowledge of computer and internet applications for information collection, management and dissemination. 
    Ability to work in a multicultural environment and gender-sensitive behaviour and attitudes are also required.
    Coaching skills to develop others and transfer knowledge and experience.
 

Applicants can only attach one document to their application.  This should include a cover letter and must also include a 2-page statement addressing their claims against the required competencies listed above.  In doing this, you should have a heading for each competency and explain, for each, how your skills and experience show your competence.  Applicants who do not attach this statement will not be considered for interview.” 
Better Work values diversity among its staff.

We welcome applications from qualified women and men, including those with disabilities.

For more information please contact betterwork_hr@ilo.org