Fairtrade Communications Manager Job in Nairobi, Kenya

Job Title: Communications Manager
 

Team: Programmes
 

Job Family: Communications
 

Category: International/Local
 

Location: Nairobi, Kenya
 

Reporting To: Programmes Director
 

Reporting to this post: Communications Assistant; Communications & IT Officer
 

Scale Level: Manager Level 1 Scale point 5
 

Salary Range (Basic): USD 2,500 - 3,960
 

Budget Responsibility: Yes
 

Background:
 

Fairtrade is the leading ethical trading label globally and it’s objective is to improve livelihoods of producers and workers through trade. The Africa Fairtrade Network (AFN), set-up in 2005 and operating as Fairtrade Africa (FTA), is an umbrella organisation representing over 700,000 Fairtrade certified producers in Africa, and is a member and co-owner of Fairtrade International (FLO) which operates from Bonn, Germany. 

Through various networks the FTA also influences and represents non-FLO certified producers and their organizations on fair trade issues nationally, regionally and globally.
 

FTA aims to effectively represent producers within the FLO system and in the broader fair trade movement, working to increase market access and organisational support for African producers and contributing to poverty reduction in Africa. 

To achieve this FTA works with relevant organisations and institutions in building support for Fairtrade and fair trade conditions across Africa and for bringing together people, institutions and governments in a movement for change in world trade. 

Currently there are over 300 Fairtrade certified groups in Africa and the movement is continuing to grow in Africa with new intra-Africa Fairtrade market opportunities and domestic sustainable consumption emerging across the continent especially in South Africa and Kenya.
 

FTA is governed by an elected continental Board, representing all certified producers in Africa, through four regional structures (in Southern, East, West and North Africa), each of which has its own Board of Directors and staff. 

As a member of the Fairtrade International, Fairtrade Africa is also accountable to their Board and works in close collaboration with other Producer Networks in Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and with Labelling Initiatives all over the world who are responsible for the development of consumer markets

Commencing in 2013 the African Fairtrade Network will expand its role within Africa beyond representation, coordination and participation for producers to include service provision, product origin management and support standards delivery for increased efficiency and accountability to producers.
 

Job Purpose:
 

The Communications Manager (CM), carries the overall responsibility for the development and implementation of Fairtrade Africa’s communications strategy and plan. 

This involves delivering many different channels of communication, across the continent, regions and Internationally and in different languages. 

The Communications Manager in his/her capacity is responsible for: increasing understanding of Fairtrade Africa (producers, external audience); position Fairtrade Africa as a facilitator for producers, partners and traders; increase visibility and recognition of Fairtrade Africa (producers, external audience). 

He/she will also be in charge of coordinating the organisation’s annual Africa Fairtrade Convention, which unites producers and partners in Africa and globally and also support other events as necessary.
 

The CM will also provide support to the regions and assist with communications and brand management of
specific projects, most notably the introduction of Fairtrade to consumers. 

Finally, as Fairtrade Africa is undergoing internal changes, the CM will help drive improvements in internal communications throughout Fairtrade Africa and the global movement.
 

Overall, the CM will help create a positive regional and international environment in which Fairtrade can succeed by leading the communication strategy and implementation, event delivery and coordinating with the regional teams, member organizations and other stakeholders in and out of the Fair Trade movement.

Specific Tasks
 

Communication Strategy Development, Planning and Budgeting

• Lead FTA communications and media strategy and contribute to the Global communications and branding strategies.
• Lead in the achievement of communications goals.
• Ensure that evaluation systems are in place related to these goals and report progress.
• Develop short and long term communications and media related plans and budgets for the strategy and workplan, programme and activities; and to monitor progress and evaluate performance.
• Drive improvements in an internal communication framework following the merger of Fairtrade Africa with Fairtrade International’s Product Services & Relations department within FTA and the wider global movement.
• Manage the suppliers and service providers ensuring great quality, delivery and value for money.

Producer communications

• Improve communication with producers to keep them informed about Fairtrade Africa projects and activities
• Enhance communication between producers to share best practices
• Support Regional teams at internal events with producers
• Communicate with producers to create impact stories
• Build communication plans that highlight the value that FTA brings and therefore encourages producers to pay their membership fees

External communications & event management

• Coordinate communication work with Fairtrade International, Regional and National Fairtrade Organisations and other Producer Networks – (providing materials and communication tools)
• Identify and support networking initiatives to maximise FTA reach to supporters and stakeholders.
• Build and maintain relationships with audiences such as business associations, think tanks and academia;
• Coordinate FTA’s annual event (Africa Fairtrade Convention)
• Support other relevant events.

Writing/editing

• Lead in the development of FTA annual reports and other publications;
• Write and edit FTA newsletter to publicize Fairtrade news and developments;
• Manage FTA website, ensuring it is updated regularly
• Lead in writing media statements and support development of other communications materials

Media

• Provide proactive and reactive information to the media or to Fairtrade partners for media purposes to support organizational goals and strategies
• Oversee media monitoring on Fairtrade
• Support the Executive Director as the spokesperson, and schedule and participate in interviews, as required
• Support and train producer members and colleagues in media work

Fairtrade Marketing Support

• Coordinate external communication launches for Fairtrade marketing organisations supported by FTA
• Support the implementation of the communication strategy for these marketing organisations;
• Support the identification and roll-out events
• Support the creation of campaign materials
• Support the development and roll-out of a media strategy

Skills and Competence – Essential:

• Graduate level degree or equivalent.
• 5 years of experience working in communications for reputable organisations including at least 1 year line management experience.
• Proven facilitation skills in multi-stakeholder settings & experience working with different audiences, from consumers to donor partners
• Proven experience in brand identity management including design experience.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Proven track record in event coordination
• Internal communications experience
• In-depth knowledge/experience of one of the following: the fair trade movement and its role and impact in promoting development; international development issues; ethical trade or social corporate responsibility.
• Languages: Excellent English is essential.
• Experience of working in an African environment

Preferred:

• Working knowledge of French and other relevant languages, strongly preferred
• Qualification in communication
• Experience in international media
• Up-to-date experience in new media
• Kenyan consumer & media experience preferred

Personal Qualities

• Demonstrable ability to drive forward work on own initiative and with limited guidance
• Demonstrable ability to motivate and enthuse others
• Preference for working in multicultural environments
• Political judgement backed by a diplomatic and sensitive working style
• Collaborative and supportive approach to teamwork.

Application Deadline: 8th May 2013
 

An application form (CVs will not be accepted) can be found on the jobs and volunteering page of our
website www.fairtradeafrica.net.

If you have any queries, please e-mail recruitment@fairtradeafrica.net or call +254202721930 and ask to speak to a member of the Admin team. 

Qualified applicants will be subjected to background checks as a condition of employment. 

The final hiring decision is anticipated end of May 2013 for a preferred start date of 1st July 2013. 

Completed applications should be e-mailed to recruitment@fairtradeafrica.net 

All applicants should state how they meet essential requirements of the post and include their email address, telephone contacts and three referees with contact details on the application form.
 

Others: 

This job description is intended as a guide and should not be viewed as an inflexible specification as it may be varied from time to time in the light of strategic developments following discussion with the post holder. 

The post holder will be expected to work to agreed objectives, which should facilitate achievements of key responsibilities in accordance with the Performance Review Process.