Consultant, Strategic Communications

Programa Mundial de Alimentos; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Part time

Job summary

An international humanitarian agency in Johannesburg seeks a Strategic Communications Consultant to provide communications expertise, support fundraising efforts, and enhance the agency's visibility. The role requires a strong communicator with significant experience in executive support and strategic planning. Candidates should possess a relevant advanced degree and demonstrate strong writing and analytical skills. Fluency in English is essential, with French as a valuable asset.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8-10 years in a professional communications role.
• 8-10 years in a strategic role supporting executive communication goals.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert strategic communications advice to ARC leadership.
• Develop documentation for events and thought leadership content.
• Support fundraising by leading the development of funding proposals.

Skills

Strong writing skills in English

Ability to research and analyze information

Strategic communications experience

Planning and organizational skills

Relationship management

Education

Advanced University degree in communications or related field

Job description

Overview

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance.

Job Title

Strategic Communications Consultant

Details

Type of Contract : Regular Consultant

Division : ARC African Risk Capacity

Duty Station (City, Country) : Johannesburg (with a possibility to relocate to Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire within the contract period)

Duration : 11 months with the possibility of extension

Reporting to : ARC Director General with some workstreams reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, ARC

About ARC

African Risk Capacity (ARC) is a Specialised Agency of the African Union that offers an African solution to climate change and disease outbreaks. It is mandated to work with AU member states to plan, prepare, and respond to climate-induced disasters and disease outbreaks. ARC’s mechanism is an index-based weather risk insurance pool designed to improve preparedness and provide funds to facilitate early response. ARC aims to strengthen capacity in member states across capacity building, early warning, risk pooling, and risk transfer to manage weather and disease risks and reduce financial impact on governments and vulnerable communities.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the Strategic Communications Consultant include anchoring ARC leadership in the DRMF space, advancing ARC’s strategic communications, and supporting fundraising and reporting activities. Key focus areas include:

• Provide expert strategic communications advice to the Group Director General’s office to position ARC at continental and global platforms and prepare for events.
• Develop documentation for events (concept notes, speeches, briefs) to project confidence in ARC leadership.
• Undertake and manage research aligned to the DRMF landscape to inform decision-making and policy influence.
• Develop thought leadership content and public relations materials to position ARC as a leading provider of capacity building, early warning systems, risk analysis, and risk transfer services.
• Anchor ARC’s fundraising by leading the development of funding proposals and ensuring timely, high-quality responses.
• Support the Group’s reporting and advocacy functions and coordinate with ARC leadership to showcase ARC’s evolution, impact, and value to donors and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the communications function to advance ARC’s communications strategy and ensure timely, accurate reporting; contribute to the monthly ARC Newsletter.

Additional duties include assisting with the development of the Group Strategy and other supporting strategies, coordinating with AU, donor partners, and boards, and ensuring consistency and quality across internal and external communications.

Accountabilities

The responsibilities are categorized into three workstreams:

• Workstreams to provide expert strategic communications advice to the Group Director General’s office to anchor ARC leadership in DRMF and public platforms.
• Workstreams to provide strategic support to all ARC functions to showcase work and strengthen positioning.
• Workstreams to enhance the Group’s communications function, increase brand visibility, support advocacy, and tell ARC stories.

Workstreams to support the Group Director General’s office (reporting to GDG) include providing advisory support, preparing event materials, undertaking research, generating thought leadership content, and supporting fundraising proposals.

Workstreams to provide strategic support to the ARC Group Reporting and Advocacy (under the COO) include designing and implementing a Group strategy, consolidating reports, developing donor-facing documents, and coordinating knowledge management and communications outputs.

Workstreams to enhance the Group’s communications function include implementing the communications strategy, developing social media content, producing the monthly ARC Newsletter, preparing donor-visible content, and capacity building staff on communications.

Qualifications and experience

Education: Advanced University degree and relevant professional experience in communications or a related field.

Experience:

• A minimum of 8–10 years in a professional communications role.
• At least 8–10 years in a strategic role supporting executive communication goals.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Strong writing skills in English; ability to draft ideas clearly in written and oral form.
• Ability to research, analyse, evaluate, and synthesize information.
• Strong planning and organizational skills.
• Experience managing relationships with media, government officials, and partners.
• Knowledge of relevant software and office applications.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and build effective relationships.

Languages:

• Fluency in spoken and written English is required.
• French language is an asset.

Deadlines and references

Deadline for applications: 28 June 2024

Ref. : VA No. 833396

Equal opportunity statement

Qualified female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply. WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to certain UN system bodies within the United Nations system during and within three years of service with these bodies.