The World Resources Institute is seeking a communication coordinator, for Global Forest Watch (GFW), a new interactive, online forest monitoring system that unites satellite imagery, cloud computing, and crowd-sourced data to create never-before-possible transparency in forests around the world. In the Congo Basin countries, WRI has published Forest Atlases that help decision makers achieve sustainable management of forest resources through strengthened land-use planning and monitoring. These are now available for Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Republic of the Congo. See these websites for examples of work entailed:
http://www.globalforestwatch.org/about
http://www.wri.org/project/interactive-forest-atlas-cameroon
Background
WRI regional strategy has been to:
Develop information and tools on forest coverage, logging activities and protected areas within Congo Basin
Produce up to date geodatabase, Interactive Forest Atlas and online forest information portals in the 6 Congo Basin Countries
Make Forest information publicly and freely available
Build the capacity of local governments, private companies, NGOs, civil society, indigenous groups and parliamentarians to generate and incorporate forest information and associated tools into their decision making.
While GFW is an interactive online system designed to empower people everywhere with the information they need to better manage and conserve forest landscapes, their lacks a proper system of getting feedback on the information disseminated to various stakeholders. Consequently, the actual impact of the tool in the Congo Basin region is challenging to quantify.
Scope of work:
As a key member of the GFW team in Central Africa, the communication coordinator will play a significant role in implementing a communication strategy and increasing WRI visibility in the region.
Duties and Responsibilities
Overall Objective of the Consultancy:
The communication coordinator work will mainly revolve around developing an appropriate strategy for improving their impact and increase the visibility of WRI, within 12 months.
Specific Objectives:
To clearly assess the information needs of targeted audiences (public institutions, private sector and civil society) with regards to services and products;
Design appropriate strategies for engagement with the public throughout the country
Establish a baseline of communication indicators for monitoring the use of various forest governance to evaluate future strategies
Conduct research and writing for web stories, work with local journalists/CSOs to post some stories and other project related publications;
Detailed Activities:
The communication coordinator will undertake the following activities to achieve the above objectives:
Carry out a communications audit ( communication materials and their effectiveness) and media analysis ,by engaging with relevant Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies including Civil Society organizations in DRC, to determine the current state of WRI tools , including equipment, databases, forecasting and monitoring products,
Review and gather information on past, current and planned projects related to WRI, to help identify both successful and unsuccessful communication interventions;
Identify the information needs of key audiences and potential users of WRI tools, and design strategies for raising awareness among national authorities regarding WRI;
Establish communication strategies that will engage key stakeholders at the right time, in the right manner and with the right messages;
Work with WRI communications team, to implement specific communication projects, events or programs within a given time frame.
Design appropriate branding products for WRI, develop and deliver best-in-class communication materials through selected channels;
Deliverables:
Implement a Communications Strategy in the Congo Basin Region;
Develop visibility products for WRI tools.
Managing common file structure for communication products
Develop national partners’ products (policy brief, newletters)
Logistics:
The communication coordinator will report to the Regional Coordinator for Central Africa forests (based in Kinshasa), and also work in close collaboration with the Manager for Central Africa Forests and the rest of the GFW team (based in Washington DC and around the world).
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
College Degree/Bachelors Degree in Communications, Journalism, International Relations or related
Experience
Minimum 2 years full time work experience abroad or with an international organization Experience with online communications; preferably including on-line engagement with an international company or a non-profit
Experience working with global and/or remote teams
Understanding of social media marketing strategic tactics and tracking tools
Use of web and social media analytics
Experience with Drupal and Wordpress
Basic knowledge of Adobe Products (ex. Photoshop) preferred. Ability to use existing templates, update text and image layers, forma, resize and output.
Language:
Ability to communicate (written and oral) clearly and compellingly to a wide range of audiences in French and English
Competencies:
Ability to draft concise and informative documentation in French for a range of uses from detailed progress reports to media releases including ability to analyze complex information and to draw out the key points and issues and to present these in a way that can be easily understood;
Ability to think out-of-the-box;
Ability to present complex issues in simple and clear manner;
Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
Ability to work under pressure and deliver high quality results on time; initiative and independence;
Good communication and organizational skills, with demonstrated evidence of capacity to produce and present good reports.
Analytic capacity and demonstrated ability to process, analyses and synthesize complex, technical information from different disciplines;
Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
Desired Skills;
Experience in multiple-media communications. Online and social media communications experience in international organization, non-profit and government sector would be an asset.
