Network Communications Manager

Do you want to contribute to transforming the outcomes of some of the world’s most vulnerable children through impactful communications?

Can you bring your experience of using communications to amplify the voices of children and communities impacted by crisis and displacement?

If the answer to those questions is yes, this is the role for you!

The Moving Minds Alliance (MMA) is an advocacy impact network focused on Early Childhood Development in Emergencies (ECDiE). It comprises a (growing) network of 38 organizations organizations working together to increase the quantity and quality of funding, policy prioritization, and leadership needed to effectively support young children and caregivers affected by crisis and displacement. MMA’s goal is for all children and caregivers to have access to the power and resources necessary to meet their self-determined needs in an environment of dignity, equity and care, especially in situations of national and international displacement.

MMA does not provide funding for implementation of early childhood programs. As a network, its activities are led by members collaborating in working groups responsible for operationalizing specific areas of work, with support from the Core Team and some external consultants. Operational costs and activities are financed by a sub-group of philanthropic foundations, which are part of the overall MMA membership, through a combination of annual member fees and additional donations and grants. A Steering Committee provides overall strategic direction. MMA is hosted by the International Rescue Committee (IRC-UK).

Our Vision: Rebuilding resilience of the youngest refugees

Forced displacement worldwide is at a record high. Young children and caregivers are disproportionately represented among those fleeing from emergencies and crisis-affected contexts. More than 43 million children have been displaced by conflict. One in four children around the world lives in contexts affected by conflict or disaster. Most children born in displacement will go on to spend their entire childhoods away from home.

Children’s experiences during their formative early years shape the architecture of the brain. This creates the foundation for future development, learning and physical and mental health. Prolonged exposure to violence and toxic stress can have life-long negative effects on children’s development. It can lead to higher levels of depression, anxiety, and in some cases post-traumatic stress disorder. Evidence indicates that quality ECDiE services that support parents, caregivers, and families to provide nurturing care during crisis can mitigate the negative effects of trauma and stress on young children and promote resilience and well-being for a lifetime.

Whilst the international community has made significant efforts to ensure children have access to basic healthcare and nutrition, more must be done to ensure that caregivers and young children can access quality ECDiE services. These services are severely lacking in crisis situations across the globe, as well as in communities hosting refugees and asylum-seekers.

The Purpose of the Role

High quality internal and external communications are the lifeblood of an effective network! The Network Communications Manager is a new and critical appointment to strengthen the work of the MMA.

The post-holder will support MMA’s ambition to become the thought leader on Early Childhood Development in Emergencies. They will position MMA as the ‘go-to’ agency for latest global, regional and local thinking, evidence and advocacy content on ECDiE. They will drive MMA’s external advocacy communications, coordinating with members as necessary to achieve our agreed objectives, and build external engagement with relevant media outlets and platforms

Responsibilities:

The post-holder will:

1. Develop and implement a Communications and Brand Strategy to build and strengthen MMA brand, image, social media and content curation in line with MMA values.

• Increase the effectiveness and dynamism of MMA’s external communications using a variety of different media and channels/
• Manage MMA social media and web platforms, ensuring up to date and relevant content, working with consultants to upgrade them where necessary.
• Ensure that MMA communications are informed through engagement with local ECDiE partners and leverage the communications expertise of our member organisations.

1. Build MMA’s internal network communications to strengthen engagement, enhance convening and maximise collective impact.

• Ensure ongoing review and refinement of processes and platforms to optimally facilitate communication, knowledge sharing, and alignment across the MMA Working Groups.
• Develop and maintain timely and relevant information and communications flows to members through all formats and platforms.
• Build and maintain MMA’s internal (digital) communications channels and platforms – including our social media and web platforms.
• Work with the Research, Learning and Evaluation Manager to curate, build and share our digital library of resources information and knowledge across the Alliance membership.
• Oversee the design and publication of specialist products such as fact sheets on early childhood development, in collaboration with colleagues, members, technical experts and consultants.
• Develop and implement targeted strategies to ensure that research, learning and evaluation outputs are proactively disseminated and reach the right audiences.

1. Work closely with the Senior Engagement Manager to develop and strengthen communications for advocacy, in line with the MMA Advocacy Strategy.

• Design & lead the communications components of MMA advocacy campaigns, including social media campaigns
• Develop MMA’s communications and advocacy in response to crises, working with the membership to develop core MMA messaging and advocacy on sensitive issues, including conflict, displacement and other crises.
• Amplify the voices of displaced children and caregivers in external outreach and communications.

1. As part of a small team, the post-holder will also share the MMA team’s collective responsibility to deliver an effective and impactful secretariat function.

Key Working Relationships

The Communications Manager will report to the Director. They will be a vital member of the core team and will be expected to support day-to-day activities.

The post holder will work closely with the MMA Senior Engagement Manager to ensure that advocacy and communications objectives are aligned. They will work closely with the Knowledge Management and Learning Lead (also a new position) and the MMA Research Forum.

The post-holder will work collaboratively with MMA member representatives to ensure a smooth and effective flow of information and communication across the network. They will collaborate actively with MMA working groups and committees, such as the Steering and Strategy Committees. They will coordinate with communications and advocacy leads from the different organisations across the membership and with our partners.

The post-holder will also identify, engage and work with local partners and stakeholders directly involved in implementing ECDiE in diverse contexts and settings.

They will collaborate with IRC team members where required. From time to time, they may oversee consultants.

Essential

Skills, Knowledge and experience

Using communications to:

• Build the external profile and brand of a network.
• Strengthen the collective impact of networks.
• Support impactful advocacy and influence diverse audiences.
• Amplify the voices of marginalised groups from diverse contexts including children, using ethical storytelling practices.

Experience and track record of:

• Delivering different communications campaigns or products.
• Developing and managing a diverse range of digital communications platforms.
• Working collaboratively with non-communications specialists to develop powerful communications using agile and adaptive approaches.
• Supporting local partners’ influencing and advocacy across a variety of diverse contexts and settings.
• Working in a network with proven ability to build effective relationships and matrix-manage across geographically dispersed teams and organisations.
• Recruiting and managing technical experts, ensuring their products are useful and incorporated into ongoing work.

Values & attributes

Passionate about and committed to:

• Using impactful communication to contribute to sustainable and holistic change for children in crisis.
• Principles of equity, transparency and inclusion.
• Ensuring systems, approaches and relationships are free from any form of racism, bias, discrimination, or exclusion.

Is excited to:

• Bring a creative, entrepreneurial, and dynamic approach
• Work independently with light touch supervision.
• Use communications to strengthen the quality of network collaboration, convening and relationships.
• Work in a dynamic, dispersed and adaptive team, comfortable with complex challenges.