BACKGROUND

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. Plan has over 80 years’ experience and works in more than 75 countries across the world. We strive for a just world, working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners.

Plan International has been working in Tanzania since 1991. Our work supports marginalised children and youth, especially adolescent girls, to grow up physically and mentally healthy and ready to shape their future. We create an enabling environment and empower girls to be active drivers of change in realising their rights. We prioritise working with partners, and ensuring all of our work is evidence based.

Plan International Tanzania is looking for an experienced Communications & Advocacy Officer responsible for all PlayMatters project related communications and advocacy activities in Kibondo and Kakonko districts as well as in Nduta and Mtendeli refugees’ camps. The Communications & Advocacy Officer will also be responsible for developing strategic communications and advocacy initiatives and oversees the production of a range of communication materials for the implementation of the PlayMatters project. Additionally, the position holder will be responsible for developing accurate and high-quality informational materials such as fact sheets, success stories and case studies from the fields.    

The PlayMatters project is aimed at supporting play-based learning for children aged 3-12 years in the 3 refugee camps and host communities in the Kigoma region. The project will focus on reaching out to nearly 1 million pre-primary and primary school aged refugee and host community children impacted by the humanitarian crises in East Africa and living in Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania. This project aims to build children’s social, emotional, cognitive, physical and creative skills through play in their homes, schools, and communities and will be implemented in partnership with War Child, International Rescue Committee, Behavioural Insights Team and Innovations for Poverty Action.

Dimensions of the Role

This position reports to EiE Programme Manager. Under the supervision of the EiE Programme Manager and support from Head of Communications, the Communications & Advocacy Officer will lead the implementation of PlayMatters communication strategy, designs and activities to promote community and media outreach and to advocate for the integration of Learning through Play teaching/learning approaches. S/he will also work closely with the PlayMatters Illustrators and Graphic Designer to support the designing work, coordinate with Communications focal person at CO to support with communications and advocacy activities, and lead the delivery of advocacy strategies in line with PlayMatters project communication requirements.  

S/he will demonstrate excellent project management and problem-solving skills, a very high degree of maturity, flexibility, organization and communication skills, and strategic thinking to meet the demands of a dynamic and sometimes unpredictable operating environment while ensuring Plan International’s systems and policies and donor requirements are adhered to, especially gender transformative programming and child and youth safeguarding.

RESPONSIBILITIES/ ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Program delivery, Communication, Advocacy, Representation and partnerships  

• Develop resources as part of documentation of project progress and milestones (i.e., impact stories, videos, and photos) to share on PlayMatters and IRC internal and external Websites, newsletters and for all internal and external usage.
• Support generation of content for internal and external publications including newsletter, fact-sheets, and branded visibility materials such as fliers, posters, calendars, diaries, , t-shirts, banners etc.
• Drafting talking points and messages for PlayMatters project in Tanzania, and for sharing with media and wider public.
• Creating high quality media and multimedia content for dissemination into various platforms.
• Preparation of communications budgets.
• To establish new, and maintain relationships with key media outlets, correspondents, journalists, producers, and editors.
• To write, as required, materials for the purposes of print, broadcast, web, and social media.
• To work as part of a core PlayMatters team to create media campaigns, write press releases, statements and other PlayMatters audience-focused content and resources.
• To act as main focal point for media relations for the PlayMatters project.

2. Staff Management

• This position does not directly supervise any staff or refugee incentive workers; however, s/he will be collaborating with other EiE Officer and Incentive workers to support the implementation of PlayMatters activities.
• Report any violations of Plan International’s Code of Conduct and Policies as per Plan International-Tanzania.

Key relationships

External - Close collaboration and strong working relationship with project consortium partners and members of the Education Working Group (IRC, Caritas, Save the Children, UNHCR, UNICEF, MHA, District Education Officers) etc. The Communications & Advocacy Officer will also maintain a relationship with local authorities, relevant Government institutions, and UN agencies to ensure Plan’s work is well linked to other initiatives.

Internally- The Communications & Advocacy Officer will directly report to the EiE Programme Manager, and S/he will coordinate with EiE Specialist, Communication and Advocacy team (CO), Illustrations Officer, EiE Coordinator, MEAL Coordinator and EiE Officers for the implementation of project activities at camp level. S/he will also work closely with finance team, Procurement team, Communications and advocacy team and Human resources team. S/He will also work closely with the Child Protection team and ensure that protection is integrated in all Education activities.

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

• BA in Journalism or Communications/Public Relations, or a related field from an accredited Institution.
• Minimum of 3 years working experience including working in in an INGO, media, journalism, or communications/public relations or in closely related external relations contexts.
• Experience in the design and production of visual content, such as photography, graphics, and video.
• Experience and proficiency in using content (graphic and video) production and editing software.
• A high degree of self-motivation and able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Exceptional attention to detail to deliver high quality and accurate content.
• A well-organised person, able to show the ability to initiate, monitor, prioritise, and complete project activities.
• Excellent communication skills, including social media and multimedia skills, plus strong interpersonal skills.
• Excellent command of English, (written, oral, comprehension) including highly developed drafting skills.
• Knowledge of Gender and Child rights issues
• Strong team-building and motivational skills
• Strong negotiating, facilitating and influencing skills
• Strong community facilitation skills
• Cultural sensitivity  i.e. building and working effectively within a diverse working environment

Plan International’s Values in Practice

We are open and accountable

• Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
• Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
• Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
• Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
• Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people

We strive for lasting impact

• Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
• Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
• Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
• Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together

• Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
• Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
• Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
• Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering

• Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
• Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
• Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
• Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

Physical Environment

The job holder requires 60 % field work in 3 camps and 40 % office-based environments.

Level of contact with children

High interaction with children