Country: El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua
Closing date: 27 Jul 2019
About CRS
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.
In Latin America and Caribbean Region (LACRO), we have worked for more than 60 years to tackle poverty, create more peaceful and just societies, and help rural communities protect natural resources while building resilient and prosperous farming systems.
At the heart of our agricultural work is Water-Smart Agriculture— Agua y Suelo para la Agricultura (ASA)—the practice of managing soil to manage water and increase yields. It works with allied institutions to help smallholder farm families in Mexico and Central America to achieve greater food security by increasing productivity through improved soil and water management. Our mission in the next three years is to work with governments, scientists, private sector and local organizations to build a network of knowledge and resources to reach 250,000 smallholder farmers with soil restoration services, creating a region-wide soil health movement that is visible in farmers’ field. **
Job Summary
The Marketing & Communications Manager (MCM) will contribute significantly to a marketing and communication strategy to position CRS’ agricultural approach in the region, maximize audience reach of its benefits and successes and set the stage for short and long-term policy changes and investments that support soil restoration and water-smart agricultural policies.
Job Responsibilities:
Marketing Plan Development: Work with the regional marketing manager and communications, program/senior management teams to develop a marketing plan and help manage its day-to-day execution. As part of plan development, map Central America advertising and media landscape, conduct audience analysis and determine most critical channels for reach.
Develop and Manage Editorial/Events Calendar: Work with program/senior management and communications to develop an editorial/events calendar that includes important events, news, and program successes and milestones and implement an ongoing pipeline of updates and stories; Develop system for working\between CRS headquarters, region and country offices to identify key opportunities to highlight and promote across communication channels; Generate compelling content for ASA website, media outreach, social media, and paid advertising in alignment with content calendar, working with US and regionally-based teams to co-produce and package content for key audiences.
Marketing Materials: Manage the design and production of creative and compelling communication and marketing material for various audiences and distribution channels. Develop fact sheets and brochures, PowerPoint presentations, and talking points that will maximize CRS' messages and support the scale-up objectives in the region. This will include commissioning and managing creative agencies and freelancers in photography, design and multimedia.
Media Relations: Under the supervision of the regional marketing manager and working with communications, program and senior management teams to develop media strategies to raise CRS' media profile regionally around issues related to agriculture. Map the media landscape, identify media opportunities; develop and nurture relationships with key media influencers, including reporters, editors and bloggers; develop talking points; train spokespeople. This could involve hiring a public relations firm(s) to help design and/or implement those strategies.
Social Media: Under the supervision of the regional marketing manager and working with communications, program and senior management--with guidance and direction from the social media team at headquarters--help develop and implement a social media plan. Create a system for regular content generation from country programs and create compelling and engaging content that informs and engages external audiences; plan social media posts; monitor and moderate comments on social media posts; coordinate content across social media platforms; collect and analyze social media metrics to gauge reach and engagement and other performance measures.
Events Management: In collaboration and consultation with program/senior management and communications, identify events and conferences relevant for CRS participation, coordinate and organize major events for CRS program and partners, including project launches, major donor visits, learning events, etc.
Representation and Networking: Build on existing and develop new relationships with media, key decision makers, peer institutions and others. Support the planning and coordination of events, missions, VIP visits, under the leadership of regional marketing manager. When requested, attend national and international organization events to represent CRS and its programs.
Supervisory
Draft scopes of work and provide supervision to field level CRS and partners staff as required.
Consultants for events management, photography, and videography.
Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)
These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.
- Integrity
- Continuous Improvement & Innovation
- Builds Relationships
- Develops Talent
- Strategic Mindset
- Accountability & Stewardship
Key Working Relationships:
Internal: Country Representative, Deputy Country Representatives, Head of Programs, Business Development Specialist, Regional Technical Advisors, Program Staff, Chiefs of Party, Senior Management Team, Regional Marketing Manager and Communications Specialist, Country Program Communications Officers, Marketing and Communications Department (HQ).
External: Representatives of other nonprofits, Contractors, Vendors, project partners, and donors.
Qualifications and Skills:
Minimum Master's Degree in Communications, Journalism, or related studies; experience in INGOs or UN preferred.
Minimum five years' experience working in development and relief programs or business on marketing and communication activities. Knowledge of the agriculture landscape in Latin America is critical.
Demonstrated ability in project management, particularly the design and execution of marketing plans and/or communications events.
Ability to work with stakeholders on multiple levels, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, donors, media groups, and CRS staff.
Fluency in English and Spanish required; excellent written and oral communication skills in both languages. French proficiency is a plus.
Ability to travel up to 40 percent of the time.
Proven inter-personal skills and ability to influence through communication.
Demonstrable track record of successfully disseminating information to a variety of target audiences.
Solid skills in photography and understanding of storytelling through videography.
Visual literacy and visual communication competencies and skills in publication design a plus.
Understanding of major issues of international development and donor assistance.
Flexibility to work both in a team and independently.
Cultural sensitivity, patience and flexibility.
Experience in Adobe Creative Suite, especially InDesign, is strongly desired.
Proven organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
Mature disposition, with the ability to manage sensitive situations appropriately.
Disclaimer:
This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
Note: Applications from Guatemalan, Nicaraguan, Honduran and El Salvadoran nationals are strongly encouraged.
To apply: Send CV and cover letter via email to: robyn.fieser@crs.org
CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
Equal Opportunity Employer
How to apply:
To apply: Send CV and cover letter via email to: robyn.fieser@crs.org