Communications Coordinator, Kahuzi-Biega National Park, DRC

Location:Bukavu and Tshivanga, Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP), DRC

Reports To:Park Director

Collaborators: Heads of Departments, Gorilla FM, Community Conservation team

Direct Reports:All staff in KBNP Communications Unit

Start date: January 2023

Duration:Minimum 2 years 

Purpose: The overall objective of the Communications Coordinator is to lead the implementation of the communications strategy and to coordinate the work of the Communications Unit to achieve results in terms of visibility, positive perception, continuous production of quality communications content and management of crisis communications situations. At both local, national and international level, the image and concrete implementation of a rights-based conservation approach in KBNP will raise the profile of the Park.

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has been active in Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP) since the late 1950s. Since the 2000s, WCS has been providing onsite technical support to ICCN (Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature) - the government agency responsible for protected areas and wildlife - in conserving the park’s biodiversity and supporting socio-economic programs for communities and civil society living around the Park. In April 2022, WCS signed a 10-year public-private partnership (PPP) agreement with ICCN which delegates the management of the KBNP to WCS. Under the PPP and WCS’s vision for the Park of a rights-based conservation model that will provide benefits to indigenous people and local communities (IPLCs) as well as to biodiversity, communications is a foundational element of our strategy.

The candidate should be innovative, dynamic and creative to deliver a proactive approach to internal and external communications. Candidates will need to clearly demonstrate they have the necessary experience and skills with which to manage such a complex communications plan and strengthen related activities. The Communications Coordinator will be based in Bukavu and on site at the Park headquarters in Tshivanga, South Kivu Province.

Responsibilities:

The Communications Coordinator will elaborate, implement and update a communications strategy - including branding and marketing aspects - with target audiences at local, provincial, national and international levels. In 2 years, success in this role will be defined by: increased and shared understanding of, and support for, the values, mission and objectives of the Park from target audiences; measurable changes in knowledge, behaviour and practice among target audiences; stakeholders regularly informed of KBNP news; improved message coordination and internal communication between partners operating in the KBNP ; strengthened communications capacities internally and an operational and agile Communications Unit.

Leadership and team management 

• Build and oversee an inclusive and diverse Communications Unit and provide capacity building and mentoring to team members as required
• Encourage a culture of participatory learning and adaptive problem-solving so that team members reflect and design effective tools and coverage of field interventions that deliver visibility outcomes
• Ensure a balanced distribution of roles and responsibilities, and manage the planning of activities for the Communications Unit
• Apply clearance processes of all productions of the Communications Unit

Support to the development and implementation of KBNP communications strategy

• Elaborate, implement and update a 5-year communications strategy

• Develop and implement the KBNP communications annual workplan

• Support monitoring and evaluation of the communications strategy and plan, in collaboration with relevant staff

• Pro-actively identify communications opportunities and partnerships

Support to internal communications and inter-partner coordination on communications

• Closely coordinate with KBNP senior management, KBNP departments and the Regional Communications Manager
• Coordinate with external partners on communications outputs, including regular communications coordination meetings
• Coordinate with Park partners, and Community Conservation (CoCo) and tourism teams on design and implementation of awareness events
• Support internal communications capacity-building

Development, management and update of official KBNP communications channels

• Develop and manage social media
• Develop, produce and disseminate regular Park newsletters
• Draft, update and disseminate webpages, factsheets, brochures, infographics, etc 
• Produce stories and articles (social media, websites, etc)
• Produce visual outputs (photos, video, etc)
• Produce branding outputs (clothing, etc)

Support to KBNP media relations

• Create, update and manage the KBNP media contact lists
• Draft and disseminate press releases and press kits 
• Manage external local, national and international level media requests, interviews and visits, in support of the Park Director and spokespersons

• Establish and implement crisis communications mechanisms; manage crisis communications situations in collaboration with the Senior Management and various KBNP departments, and with the Regional Communications Manager

• Support on international media visits
• Forge and manage Park-level media partnerships (including community radios)
• Prepare Q&As, key messages and briefing kits for KBNP spokespersons
• Support logistics arrangements for media, photographers, and filmmakers in and out of the Park, in line with KBNP guidelines

Project Management

• Manage communications equipment
• Plan monthly activities and participate in work planning and adaptive learning sessions
• Prepare Terms of References and budget requests for communications activities

• 5 to 10 years of experience in the elaboration and implementation of communication strategies
• Significant experience in press relations at local, national and international level
• Proven experience in engaging diverse target audiences through a wide range of modern communication tools and media (e.g. social media, newsletters, print, media, poster, photography, audio-visual, radio, and TV)
• Proven experience in the coordination of a communications team, and the management of crisis communications situations
• A thorough understanding of the tools to measure the success of communication strategies (desirable)
• Understanding of biodiversity conservation issues (highly desirable)
• Pro-active, positive, and accountable approach to work delivery
• Demonstrated openness and sensitivity to the socio-cultural environment of KBNP
• Fluent communication skills in French and English, Swahili an advantage  
• Willingness to spend extended periods in the field with basic amenities and accommodation 

How to apply

Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications, skills and experience, should apply through the application tab below by January 15, 2023.

WCS is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value.

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