Regional Communications Officer, Regional Office,

Act as Communications Focal Point for BIODEV2030 and other Programmes in ESARO ensuring all communications products, strategies and knowledge tools are conform with IUCN’s and BIODEV2030’s brand guidelines and policy.

Develop, implement, and monitor the BIODEV2030 Communications and other Programmes for ESARO and proactively contribute to the IUCN ESARO Programme Communications Strategy.

Working closely with the programme teams, and particularly the BIODEV2030 teams, ensure that the BIODEV2030 IUCN ESARO website and other communication products are up to date, relevant to constituents, and reflect IUCN’s and BIODEV2030 desired image and position.

Ensure the strict quality of outputs being developed and communicated through IUCN’s and BIODEV2030’s channels and projects.

Increase IUCN’s brand awareness and visibility and communicate its mission, values and knowledge standards with prioritized target audiences and partners.

Facilitate internal communication to enhance BIODEV2030 team coordination and promote general awareness of ESARO staff.

Specific Duties

Strategy:

Lead the development and implementation of a tailored strategic communications plan for IUCN in ESARO with clearly identified action points and outcomes.

In consultation with the IUCN ESARO Director, the Regional Communication and Constituency Manager, and the programme team, develop a set of Key Perform Lead the development and implementation of a tailored strategic communications plan for IUCN in ESARO with clearly identified action points and outcomes.

In consultation with the IUCN ESARO Director, the Regional Communication and Constituency Manager, and the programme team, develop a set of Key Performance Indicators to monitor and evaluate ESARO’s communications visibility and brand recognition in the region.

Content Development and Digital Engagement
Produce web stories, articles, shorthand press releases, printed material, video, and audio content, ensuring that they convey strong messages consistent with IUCN’s mission and value proposition. Manage the IUCN ESARO web page and ensure its content is dynamic, up to date, relevant, and in line with IUCN knowledge products and standards. Enhance digital presence through IUCN ESARO and other selected social media channels including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube. Coordinate the design and content for the ESARO annual report and the bi-monthly newsletter “A Voice for Nature” and ensure its enhanced uptake in the region.

Media Relations:

Oversee and coordinate regional media and public relations with a view to ensuring increased recognition and visibility of IUCN and uptake with national and regional media outlets. Identify media-related development needs and ensure that IUCN staff is acquainted with the principles of media relations, risk, and crisis management, and able to properly manage media queries.

Project Support and Coordination:

Support project managers from BIODEV2030 and related projects in designing and implementing a set of appropriate communications activities, including the development of relevant communication tools, to enhance project implementation and increase IUCN’s brand awareness and visibility in the region. Ensure that ESARO communications and messaging are consistent across all programme areas and in line with IUCN’s mission and values. Coordinate and lead relevant ESARO communications at major events, including the preparation and coordination of partner and media relations. Serve as the primary liaison with the IUCN Global Communications Unit, thematic programmes, regional offices, and members, and ensure the visibility of ESARO communications and media relations.

General Responsibilities:

Comply with project financial, administrative, and reporting schedules, including contributing to financial and technical reports for the communication components of projects. Ensure ESARO staff understand and adhere to IUCN communications policy, guidelines, and procedures  as well as BIODEV2030’s guidelines as provided by Expertise France where relevant – and are informed about any changes thereof.

• Support staff orientation and onboarding and ensure that new staff are familiar with IUCN communications policy and procedures.
• Carry out other communications tasks on request and agreement with the line manager.

Requirements

Position Requirements:

Education & Experience

• Advanced Degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or similar field.
• 8+ years of significant work experience in designing and implementing communication strategy, managing public relations and/or major events in working with diverse stakeholders (including Ministries, private sector, NGOs) in field of conservation and/or sustainability.

Skills & Competencies:

• Excellent knowledge of the media environment and of key stakeholders and their public relations representatives in the Region.
• Experience in using advanced tools for online publishing, including content management systems, design and content creation tools, and social media analytics would be a plus.
• Strong interpersonal skills, high adaptability to different people
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Strong team player and good ability to use internal and external networks.
• Evidence of agile proactive thinking
• Ability to draft compelling stories and policy briefs.
• Budget management with a good knowledge of the requirements of the main international donors
• Graphic design skills are a must.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.

Required Behavioral Skills:

• Adheres to IUCN’s values: transparency, public participation, full respect for human rights, rule of law, promoting gender equality and empowerment of women, commitment to excellence, environmental responsibility, integrity, and ethical behavior.
• Proactive approach to meeting deadlines and delivering results with limited supervision.