Cambodia: Communications Specialist

Communications Specialist

Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

Contract type

Full-time staff

Reporting to

Regional Engagement Specialist

Staff reporting directly to this post

ICT Specialist

Key relationships/interactions

This role will also work closely with the Regional Program Coordinator, the Regional Engagement Specialist, and MEAL Specialist

Location

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Shaping a stronger Oxfam for people living in poverty.

The Organization

Oxfam is an international confederation of 19 organizations networked together in 97 countries. As part of a global movement for change, we are working together to end world poverty and injustice. We work with thousands of partners in countries around the world, and employ staff in a wide variety of sectors and expertise. We work directly with communities as well as with the power to facilitate an enabling environment wherein the most marginalized can improve their lives and livelihoods, and have a voice in decisions that affect them.

The Program

The Fair Finance Asia (FFA) program is a five-year program funded by the Swedish Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand. It aims to contribute to the reduction of the negative impact of cross-border investments on human rights, the environment and climate change, particularly those made by multinational financial institutions, banks and insurers, and to increase inclusive economic development. Currently, FFA is operational at regional level and in 7 countries across Asia, namely - Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam – wherein national FFA civil society organization (CSO) coalitions together with regional partners lead research and engagement with the program’s key stakeholders including financial regulatory and policymaking institutions, banking and investment associations, multilateral development banks and the academia. FFA’s regional program management unit is stationed in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The FFA program works in close alignment with the Fair Finance Guide International (FFGI) which operates in 9 countries globally^[1]. FFGI’s assessment reports on the policy and practices of banks and insurers at the national level are envisaged to form part of FFA’s influencing and engagement toolkit in promoting sustainable finance and responsible investments.

The expected outcomes of this program include:

1. Increased awareness and (political) will among national governments, financial and investment regulators, and banks and banking associations to adhere to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards;
2. Champions among national governments and key financial institutions are interacting with relevant regional bodies promoting sustainable finance and responsible investment, and mutually influencing each other;
3. Regional bodies (intergovernmental organizations, CSOs, and financial sector networks), multilateral development banks, and cross-border investors are increasingly sensitive to the policy recommendations of national FFA coalitions and other CSOs;
4. Improved policies by national governments and financial sector regulatory institutions are in place, and implemented by national banks;
5. Initiate a regional multi-stakeholder dialogue platform which includes representatives from CSOs and their allies, resulting in a joint multi-stakeholder roadmap that can form the foundation for a multi-stakeholder initiative (MSI).

The Role

FFA is seeking an experienced Communications Specialist with a core understanding of the international development and financial sector, sustainable finance, and responsible investments in order to deliver on the integral and specialized agenda of the program to its internal and external stakeholders.

The Communications Specialist will develop and implement FFA’s strategic communications framework in close collaboration with the Regional Engagement Specialist, and in line with the FFA regional influencing strategy. She/he is expected to shape and launch high impact communications tools and assets that will strategically position FFA as a regional thought leader and convenor. Moreover, the Communications Specialist will provide regional oversight and guidance on branding, messaging, and will undertake communications outreach

The Responsibilities

Core

· Develop and execute a communications strategy which builds on Fair Finance country coalition strategies/work programs, and ensure the strategy is aligned with FFA’s regional priorities;

· Create and systematically maintain networks of high-level communications contacts with a broad range of external constituencies, including the media, governmental agencies, academic institutions, international organizations, and civil society organizations;

· Oversight and operationalization of the regional FFA website and other social media outreach tools including regular content updates and tracking of relevant metrics;

· Deliver and oversee the effective preparation, production, and dissemination of communications products (e.g., media packets, news releases, brochures, Q&As, presentations, briefing notes, online and social media content, speeches, etc.) about FFA, its work, and its products;

· Review, advise on, and as appropriate prepare, high-profile presentation/speeches, talking points, and op-eds; and

· Edit and prepare relevant knowledge products including donor-shared communication and resource materials for release and dissemination.

Leadership

· Advise FFA partners on communication trends and developments that may impact their work, and support in the identification of appropriate strategic responses;

· Ensure quality, review and assess the sensitivity of key documents, communication interventions, consultations, and stakeholder engagement activities (i.e., external communiques, donor communication, etc.);

· Build consensus among communications staff across the FFA network to ensure a consistent programmatic approach and position on high-profile discussions and issues;

· Forge and maintain internal (Oxfam-wide) contacts particularly with counterparts in relevant programs within the region and other financial sector influencing initiatives globally;

· Accelerate internal and external momentum and communication exchange on key issues by developing partnerships around topics/agenda of mutual interest.

Coordination

· Line manage ICT Specialist and work closely with other staff/teams, charged with developing and monitoring high visibility communications plans and activities; responsible for assigning work, monitoring work quality, reviewing output, and ensuring that relevant staff/s are effectively trained to successfully deliver the work;

· In collaboration with the Regional Program Coordinator and Engagement Specialist, define priority areas, lead the development of overall deliverables for FFA communications, and work across the FFA network to deliver on these priority areas;

· Support and guide communication staff in FFA partner institutions charged with developing and implementing communications plans and activities as part of the FFA program; responsible for coordination, monitoring progress, and work quality, reviewing output and ensuring that partners/staff/s are effectively trained to successfully deliver the work;

· Coordination with the communication specialist of the FFGI (based in the Netherlands) to maximize coherence and synergy between FFA and FFGI.

Other

· Eager and required to adhere to Oxfam’s principles and values (click here) as well as the promotion of gender justice and women's rights (click here).

· Understanding of and commitment to adhere to equity, diversity, gender, child safety and staff health and wellbeing principles.

Job Requirements

Essential

· Thorough knowledge of and practical experience in a range of communications approaches, tools and methodologies essential to planning, executing and monitoring communications strategies including the latest technologies, web trends and developments, and the shifting communications environment;

· Experience in leading/facilitating teams, setting the direction, defining strategy and goals, establishing metrics and monitoring progress on achieving results, as well as responsibility for managing day-to-day operations, including budget;

· State of the art knowledge in the field of communications and public affairs and the ability to address a range of issues, including taking the lead on highly visible and sensitive assignments;

· Substantial and diverse experience in creating, shaping and implementing a knowledge and communications strategy and in running an integrated multimedia communications operation;

· Ability to develop and tailor complex content/information into clear messages in an accessible way to different audiences;

· Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, and experience in publicly representing organizations, whether in speaking engagements or meeting with senior representatives;

· Demonstrated an ability to coach others in planning and executing complex communications plans that often require multiple teams;

· Ability to operate effectively with all levels of staff, both as a team coordinator and team member;

· Proven track record of building, managing and coaching teams, and working with partners/stakeholders at all levels to encourage and develop talent;

· Proven ability to think strategically and rapidly analyze diverse information from varied sources and an ability to learn, adapt, and to be innovative as new communications challenges arise;

· Experience leading a branding strategy and managing a regional/global brand.

· Core understanding of the international development and financial sector, sustainable finance, and responsible investments

Competencies

· Hands-on experience in the management of a diverse range of social media and communication tools;

· Communication in International Development - high-level ability to communicate with internal and external partners, based on their communication needs, and possessing significant and profound experience with international development topics and issues at the regional (Asia) and global levels;

· Social Media, Information Channels, and Communication Tools Awareness - able to assist, consult, or lead others in leveraging existing or new, upcoming communication tools and media channels;

· Access to Information - recognized as an authority in information access, and in the distribution, design, and delivery of communications products and in other information dissemination activities;

· Content Development - Has significant experience in and/or demonstrates broad, in-depth proficiency in designing and executing internal or external communication tools and methodologies;

· Content and Style Editing - has significant experience in, leads others and demonstrates in-depth proficiency in rewriting or editing complex communications products for purposeful structure, clarity of ideas, and the logical persuasive presentation of content;

· Communication Strategy, Planning, and Execution - has significant experience in and/or demonstrates in-depth proficiency at a level sufficient to assist, consult or lead others in the planning, development, and execution of communication strategies for complex projects;

· Relationship Management and Political Awareness - has significant experience and/or demonstrates the ability to lead and manage relationships with critical internal and/or external high-risk constituencies to foster strategic partnerships and to strengthen FFA’s image or mitigate reputational risk;

· Client Orientation - maintains client relationships in the face of conflicting demands or directions and provides evidence-based advice and solutions based on sound diagnosis and knowledge;

· Drive for Results - identifies the needed resources to accomplish results involving multiple stakeholders and finds solutions to obstacles affecting key deliverables;

· Teamwork (Collaboration) and Inclusion - demonstrates leadership in ensuring the partners stay organized and focused, and actively seeks and considers diverse ideas and approaches;

· Knowledge, Learning and Communication - leads in the sharing of best practice, trends, knowledge, and lessons learned across units and with partners, articulating ideas verbally and in writing in a clear and compelling way across audiences of varied levels;

· Business Judgment and Analytical Decision Making - gather inputs, assesses risk, considers the impact and articulates benefits of decisions for internal and external stakeholders over the long term;

· Creativity, Innovative Spirit – ability to think out of the box and generate and cultivate new ideas that could impact communications tools, methodologies, and products as well as ways of working.

Education

· Master’s degree in Communications, International Relations, Public Affairs, Journalism, or other related fields.

Experience

· At least 8 years of relevant professional experience in positions of increasing complexity and responsibility preferably in Asia;

· Preferably with at least 2 years of experience in coaching and coordinating teams and complex, multi-stakeholder programs at the regional or global levels;

· Native speaker or native fluency in English.

Attributes

· Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to cultural differences and gender issues, as well as the commitment to equal opportunities.

· Ability to demonstrate openness and willingness to learn about the application of gender/gender mainstreaming, women’s rights, and diversity for all aspects of development work.

· Commitment to Oxfam’s safeguarding policies to ensure all people who come into contact with Oxfam are as safe as possible.

Organizational Values

· Accountability – Our purpose-driven, results-focused approach means we take responsibility for our actions and hold ourselves accountable. We believe that others should also be held accountable for their actions.

· Empowerment – Our approach means that everyone involved with Oxfam, from our staff and supporters to people living in poverty, should feel they can make change happen.

· Inclusiveness – We are open to everyone and embrace diversity. We believe everyone has a contribution to make, regardless of visible and invisible differences.

Key Behavioral Competencies (based on Oxfam’s Leadership Model)

Competencies

Description

Decisiveness

We are comfortable to make transparent decisions and to adopt decision making modes to the context and needs.

Influencing

We have the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders in a way that leads to increased impact for the organization We spot opportunities to influence effectively and where there are no opportunities we have the ability to create them in a respectful and impactful manner.

Humility

We put ‘we’ before ‘me’ and place an emphasis on the power of the collective, nurture the team and play to the strengths of each individual. We are not concerned with hierarchical power, and we engage with, trust and value the knowledge and expertise of others across all levels of the organization.

Relationship Building

We understand the importance of building a relationship, within and outside the organization. We have the ability to engage with traditional and non-traditional stakeholders in ways that lead to increased impact for the organization.

Listening

We are good listeners who can see where deeper levels of thoughts and tacit assumptions differ. Our messages to others are clear and consider different preferences.

Mutual Accountability

We can explain our decisions and how we have taken them based on our organizational values. We are ready to be held to account for what we do and how we behave, as we are also holding others to account in a consistent manner.

Agility, Complexity, and Ambiguity

We scan the environment, anticipate changes, are comfortable with lack of clarity and deal with a large number of elements interacting in diverse and unpredictable ways.

Systems Thinking

We view problems as parts of an overall system and in their relation to the whole system, rather than reacting to a specific part, outcome or event in isolation. We focus on cyclical rather than linear cause and effect. By consistently practicing systems thinking we are aware of and manage well-unintended consequences of organizational decisions and actions.

Strategic Thinking and Judgment

We use judgment, weighing risk against the imperative to act. We make decisions consistent with organizational strategies and values.

Vision Setting

We have the ability to identify and lead visionary initiatives that are beneficial for our organization and we set high-level direction through a visioning process that engages the organization and diverse external stakeholders.

Self-Awareness

We are able to develop a high degree of self-awareness around our own strengths and weaknesses and our impact on others. Our self-awareness enables us to moderate and self-regulate our behaviors to control and channel our impulses for good purposes.

Enabling

We all work to effectively empower and enable others to deliver the organizations goals through creating conditions of success. We passionately invest in others by developing their careers, not only their skills for the job. We provide freedom; demonstrate belief and trust provide appropriate support.

[1] Fair Finance Guide International operates in Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden, more information available via www.fairfinanceguide.org

Interested applicants should submit their application and CV to our recruitment website

by March 18, 2019, at 5 pm Cambodia time. Click here to apply.

ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.