ThaiNGO

Purpose

Plan International is a rights-based development and humanitarian organisation working for equality for girls and better lives for all children. We are independent of government and have no political or religious affiliation.

Our purpose is to strive for a just world that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for more than 75 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

The Regional Communications Manager provides strategic and technical leadership to Plan International’s communications, advocacy, and campaigns work in the region. S/he ensures that regional communication activities support country, regional and global communication priorities, media relations, and influencing efforts, including advocacy, campaigns and movement building. , The post supports Plan International’s National Offices communication efforts from Asia, and assists Plan International’s programme and influencing goals in the region. S/he oversees capacity development and quality assurance measures for communication in Asia, leads emergency response communications and represents Plan International Asia Regional Office (ARO) in Plan International’s global communication network.

Dimensions of Role:

• A member of the Regional Management Team and leader of the regional network for communications, media relations, online presence, and digital production.
• Provides leadership and supervision to Plan International’s regional communication team and fosters strong collaboration across programme, business development, sponsorship, branding and communication activities.
• Provides support to global influencing initiatives, advocacy and campaigns, including Plan International’s flagship Because I Am A Girl movement.
• Facilitates the development of strong internal and external linkages with communication staff, development peer organisations and media outlets within and beyond the region.
• Advises on and manages risks related to Plan International’s reputation, communication and media work in/about Asia, including crisis communications and brand management.
• Oversees the implementation of Plan International’s brand guidelines and ensures brand management and development.
• Leads emergency response communications, including preparedness work and emergency deployments to disaster-affected areas.
• Develops and oversees execution of regional office communications budget.
• Works with Regional, Country, and International offices to ensure that communications initiatives are adequately staffed and resourced in the region.

Typical Responsibilities - Key End Results of Position:

• 1- Communications planning and delivery 
• Write, revise, and implement up-to-date Communications and Influencing Strategies for Country Offices and the Regional office, in line with the new Global Strategy currently under development. The new global strategy will inform and guide a new regional communications and influencing plan, while also incorporating regional communications, advocacy, and programming priorities.
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• What” is done and “why”, but not “how”; include indicators for success
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• Plan International Asia’s regional communication strategy adds value to country operations, regional and global programme, advocacy, campaign, fundraising, and public relations plans and initiatives. Its implementation is monitored and progress adequately documented, shared, and adapted to regional country offices.
• Plan International country offices have sound country communication plans in place that help highlight Plan International’s work with children and girls’ rights and programme and influencing priorities.
• Plan International’s campaigns have quality communication support in place that support campaign goals and results.
• Plan International’s brand and purpose are reflected in communications planning across the region.A Regional network for communication exists and country and regional communication staff have the capacity and support to deliver high quality communications, media, and influencing work
• 2 - Ensuring Regional Leadership and Communications Reach

• A regional internal technical network for communication exists, meets or collaborates regularly and efficiently shares information and knowledge.
• Leadership in Plan International Asia country offices is consulted on communications and campaigns priorities in the region and the matching capacities of communications teams in the regional and country offices.
• Country communications staff are kept up to date with newest developments from Plan International headquarters, the communication sector and knowledge and information from other organisations is being efficiently shared to promote best practice .
• There is a close collaboration between communication and programme teams to ensure quality media reporting around our work and the communities that we work with.
• Country Office communications teams get support in disaster preparedness and response.
• Country Offices get support in transitioning to the new global strategy and the advocacy and influencing priorities.
• There is collaboration between ARO and communicators from National Organisations (NOs), International Headquarters (IH) and other Regional Offices (ROs) 3- Enhancing Organisational visibility and profile
• Plan International is known for the quality and reach of its chidren’s and girls’ rights work within and beyond Asia , as well as inside the organisation
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• Country, regional, and international media report positively and regularly about Plan International’s work in Asia.
• Strong relationships are developed with regional, national, and international media outlets, journalists, and opinion makers in order to ensure that Plan International’s voice and the voices of the communities that we work with are heard in the mainstream media.
• Ability to cultivate high-value coverage with influential and respected media outlets in order to extend Plan International’s reach, build Plan International’s reputation in the development sector in Asia, and expand public understanding of advocacy goals.
• Plan International Asia’s social media presence is regularly maintained and growth in reach is reflected through online engagement.
• Plan International’s global and regional reports/publications are produced to high quality and adequately promoted to media, development peers and other internal and external audiences. 4- Ensuring internal communication and information
• Plan International Asia’s staff feel well connected to the global organisation, our work in Asia, its vision, mission and objectives
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• Plan International Asia’s internal communication efforts result in increased reporting about our work on IH, and NO websites and efficiently support fundraising efforts, particularly for emergencies.
• Plan International staff in Asia feel connected to the organisation through efficient management of the regional and global team briefing process, Planet and other internal communication measures.
• Communications resources from programmes and communities in Plan International Asia are well represented on Plan International’s channels.5- Emergency Response and Preparedness
• Plan International’s Asia regional office and Country Office Communications teams maintain a state of readiness for emergency responses in the region, and are available to respond to emergencies as they arise.
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• Ensuring that Country Office teams receive the training, resources, and guidance needed to ensure on-going preparedness for emergencies.
• Availability to respond to emergencies, including both localised and major “Red” emergencies in the region, including deployment.
• In the event of an emergency, coordinating communications outputs and staffing, providing the Plan International Federation with the outputs required, and serving on emergency response leadership teams.
• Developing an extensive and effective communicating with communities structure, including training for country office teams, to ensure effective beneficiary communications in the event of an emergency.
• Coordinating and leading post-disaster communications initiatives, such as anniversary media tours and other events, as needed. Dealing with Problems: 
• Complexity of problems handled & the degree of investigation, analysis, & creative thinking required to solve them
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• The Regional Communications Manager is a pivotal position that has to deal with diverse demands and pressure from different parts of the organisation to often tight deadlines: CO, NO and IH’s communication needs must be satisfied with a small team.
• Crisis communications are required to deal with emergent issues from the regional office, country offices, IH, and national offices as they pertain to Plan International’s work in Asia. The Regional Communications Manager needs to be able to provide strategic, informed advice and messaging to senior staff in Plan International which reflect Plan’s organisational and programmatic goals and culture and is mindful of the diverse political conditions and sensitivities in countries across the region.
• Country communication staff tend to be overstretched. The ability to prioritise and maintain focus while still demonstrating high levels of customer orientation are thus key for the regional communications manager.
• Communications and Working Relationships:

Working contacts inside and outside the organisation;

Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviors Required to Achieve Role’s Objectives:

Gained through education, training, & experience

Knowledge

• In-depth knowledge of current communications issues and trends, particularly in the humanitarian and development sector (Masters Degree desired)
• Good knowledge of how the media and journalists work nationally, regionally and internationally, and online.
• Demonstrated experience of working as a communication manager with a focus on Asia, preferably at regional level.
• Understanding of advocacy and influencing planning, structures, and reach.
• Proven experience to develop and implement communication and media strategies.
• Extensive understanding of media culture, both traditional and online, and experience in how to approach influential media outlets and journalists at a regional and international level and in donor country markets.
• Experience working in field environments, preferably in Asia, including in emergencies.
• Strong understanding of online communication
• Experience in strategic planning, with a focus on outputs and deliverables (as opposed to policy and structure).
• Understanding of and experience with promoting the value of internal communications.
• Good understanding of child rights and development. Skills
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• Exceptional conceptual and strategic thinking skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to build relationships with colleagues at long distances.
• Strong skills working with colleagues across cultural and national environments, including in the field.
• Experience working with communities in Asia, including among vulnerable and disaster-affected populations.
• Strong English language writing skills.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including presentation and public speaking.
• Ability to prioritize and multitask.Behaviours Performance:
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• Creates strong sense of purpose within own part of the business and with stakeholders
• Holds self and others to account to deliver on agreed goals and standards of behaviour Strategic thinking and delivery
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• Sees contribution of own part of the organisation in wider Plan International and external context
• Balances future vision with practical delivery
• Provides strategic advice to senior management
• Able to promote Plan International’s presence and brand externallyInfluencing
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• Effectively reaches out and influences large groups of people
• Understand media culture across mediums and national bordersLearning
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• Supports learning, sharing and knowledge managementSelf-Awareness
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• Diplomatic and service oriented
• Aware of different levels of capacity and respectful and supportive of local knowledge
• Adherence to child protection policies at all times.Physical Environment and Demands:Frequent traveling within and outside the region, including long distance land and boat-based travel.Travel to disaster-affected areas, including severely affected areas.Level of Contact with Children:Medium contact:     Occasional direct interaction with children

Application Process:

Please send your CV and a covering letter explain why your skills, knowledge and experience meet the requirements of this job to PlanAsia.JobVacancies@plan-international.org by 5.00pm local time Bangkok on Friday 30^th September 2016.