Application Close Date - January 31, 2025

Head of Media and Strategic Communications

  • Full Time
  • Abuja
The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the organizations and client’s reputation and drive media advocacy efforts. This role, which sits at the senior management level, requires the ability to curate and co-create evidence-based communications strategies (including internal and external communications) with exceptional writing skills and a strong network/social capital with a deep understanding of the Nigerian and International media landscape. This role supports core CCSI needs, projects and client requirements around media and strategic communications. This role must have connections within the media landscape in Nigeria and at the international level.

Reports to: Executive Director

Responsibilities

  1. Strategy Articulation and Media Advocacy:
  • Co-create communications strategies for CCSI and clients and provide support to implement them.
  • Develop and implement media advocacy campaigns to raise awareness of CCSI and clients work and promote its agenda.
  • Ensure that all media communications activity (i.e. press, radio TV, website, online/social media activity) are integrated with the organization’s/clients’ strategic campaigns and projects.
  • Write press releases, op-eds, and other media materials.
  • Coordinate media interviews and briefings for senior staff and clients with local and international media.
  • Explore points of alignment between CCSI’s projects and campaigns for media support.
  • Propose and implement an annual media program that enhances relationship between CCSI and media 
  1. Reputation Management:
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive reputation management strategy, aligned with CCSI and clients’ overall goals.
  • Advise on communications solutions regarding messaging, crisis management, handling difficult stories in the press.
  • Forecast likely reputational crisis and proffer innovative solutions. Develop crisis communication plans and effectively manage reputational crises when they arise.
  • Build and maintain positive relationships with key media outlets and journalists in local and international media.
  • Ensure the organization protects and promotes its image and that of its clients systematically, coordinated, and consistently.
  1. Capacity Building:
  • Assess the media ecosystem and identify gaps that can be addressed by capacity-building
  • Provide media training to CCSI and clients to enhance their media presence, story harvesting and messaging skills.
  • Develop a schedule of capacity-building events for media and other relevant stakeholders.
  1. Business Development:
  • Contribute to the business development efforts to support CCSI in its bid to write award-winning and compelling media-focused proposals
  • Support the development of components that demonstrate an understanding of media landscape in Nigeria and media advocacy for ongoing proposal development efforts.
  1. Reporting and Documentation:
  • Review reports, case studies, and success stories that highlight CCSI’s and client’s media advocacy and reputational management efforts.
  • Document lessons learned and best practices in media advocacy and reputational management.
  • Contribute to donor reports by providing detailed information on media advocacy and reputational management. 

Qualification 

  • Bachelor’s degree in journalism, Communications, Public Relations, or a related field.
  • Post Graduate Degree in Journalism or its equivalent is an advantage
  • An added advantage is a minimum of 15 years of experience in media relations, public relations, or communications; experience in the NGO sector.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong crisis management and problem-solving skills.
  • Requisite media experience in the development ecosystem is mandatory.
  • An understanding of the role of the media in the development of communication
  • Significant experience in writing, documentation success stories and managing media events
  • Work experience leading a diverse, multi-divergent, multicultural team
  • Demonstrated advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Skills to communicate complex issues to a variety of audiences.

Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should have basic computer skills.  Internet and email software; Spreadsheet software and Word Processing software. Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Desired Skills:

  • Strong understanding and connections within the Nigerian and international media landscape and key journalists is a requirement.
  • Experience in media advocacy and campaign development.
  • Knowledge of media monitoring and analysis tools.
  • Fluency in English and at least one Nigerian language.

Additional Information:

  • The position is based in Abuja, Nigeria.
  • Travel within and outside Nigeria may be required.

About CCSI 

The Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI) is a leading social and behavior change (SBC) organization with expertise in utilizing research evidence to implement effective strategies that address barriers preventing designated audiences from adopting recommended behaviors. Registered in 2001 as a Non-Governmental and not-for-profit organization with the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria, CCSI continues to work towards being the center of excellence in strategic communications in Africa. Driven by values of integrity, passion, care, innovation, and excellence, CCSI focuses on the central role of strategic communication to impact behaviors, build brands, and provide technical leadership in health and social development.

CCSI is an inclusive organization and welcomes applications from under-represented and intersectional groups including persons with disabilities. We are seeking people from different backgrounds, cultures, age, experience and identities, to provide a wide range of experience, ideas, views, and insights into the strategy, policies, culture and ambitions of CCSI

As an organization, we are committed to ensuring the safety of those involved in our work. Our priority is protecting everyone who comes in direct or indirect contact with our organization. We have a zero-tolerance approach to abuse and exploitation by any of our staff, representatives, or partners. We commit to ensuring that those who work with CCSI or on our behalf can work in an environment that is free from harm.

Application Review and Deadline
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position may be filled before the stated deadline. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to ensure consideration.
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