Regional Communications Specialist (part-time)

POSITION TITLE	Regional Communications Specialist
POSITION LOCATION	To be based in either Dominica, Guyana or Jamaica (part-time position – 18.75 hours weekly)
REPORTS TO	Project Director
CONTRACT TERM	2 years
APPLICATION DEADLINE	5th May, 2023
EXPECTED START DATE	May, 2023

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Are you a communications specialist with experience working on development projects?  WUSC Caribbean is currently looking for a Regional Communications Specialist to support the effective implementation of project communications strategies for the teams across all 5 SAC Project countries.

BACKGROUND

World University Service of Canada (registered as WUSC Caribbean in the Caribbean), is a Canadian non-profit organization working to create a better world for all young people. We bring together a diverse network of students, volunteers, schools, governments, and businesses who share this vision. Together, we develop solutions in education, economic opportunities, and empowerment to overcome inequality and exclusion for youth around the world, particularly young women and young refugees. WUSC currently works in 25 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, with an annual budget of approximately CAD $40 million. We have over 90 staff in our Ottawa office, and over 200 people overseas implementing 16 development projects in collaboration with donors such as Global Affairs Canada, the UK Department for International Development (DFID), the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and the African Development Bank.

WUSC Caribbean is implementing the Sustainable Agriculture in the Caribbean (SAC) Project, which promotes climate resilient agriculture for equitable economic growth to increase the economic prosperity of women and youth (female/male) in more sustainable agricultural markets in the Caribbean. The project is a multi-country economic growth project, funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and is implemented in Dominica; Guyana; Jamaica; Saint Lucia; and Suriname.

Women and youth (f/m) are central players in targeted agricultural market systems so they can restore the dwindling number of farmers in the region, while strengthening more climate resilient domestic agricultural production to enhance food security, and reduce reliance on imported agricultural products, for more sustainable economic growth. Recognizing that adult males are currently dominant actors in market systems, the SAC project also works with men, so they can become advocates for women and youth (f/m) fostering the right conditions for equitable participation. The SAC project engages agricultural markets in each of the target countries, and provides capacity-building support to local organizations.

WUSC Caribbean applies an Inclusive Market Systems (IMS) approach, engaging multiple stakeholders, including established country partners, to create links between key market actors; strengthen their capacity through training, information sharing and outreach; and fosters climate resilient approaches (re-orienting agricultural development for sustainability), at every stage and via every market actor in the agricultural value chain. This approach helps to mitigate the impacts of climate change, reduce the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters, and fosters climate-resilient agricultural markets that offer increased, sustainable economic benefits for women and youth (female & male).

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Regional Director and liaison with the Deputy Project Director, Country Coordinators and other members of the Project Team, the Regional Communications Specialist will be responsible for ensuring the implementation of WUSC Caribbean’s communication policies and the development of products in support of the SAC project. The position will be part-time and will be based from one of the following project offices: Dominica, Guyana or Jamaica.

Main responsibilities include:

• Coordinate with project technical staff for content identification and fact-checking.
• Contribute to the project’s knowledge sharing strategy, in partnership with the monitoring and evaluation team.
• Support the capture of SAC Project visibility / communications exposure and lead the completion of semi-annual visibility reports for GAC in coordination with country teams.
• During project implementation, develop and draft content, format and coordinate publication of two to three case studies to include in each project semi-annual and annual report to GAC.
• Provide support and supervision to other project staff and volunteer Communications Advisors as needed.
• Support the preparation of research and study reports for public distribution as required.
• Prepare and upload key documents to the project resources website.
• Provide support and training to project staff as required to generate photographs and case study stories/materials on an ongoing basis
• Support the annual project staff and consultant photo contest as a means to encourage and reward team members for supporting communications efforts of the project.
• Provide assistance to WUSC Caribbean team members with remote / virtual events and meetings as required.
• Support to any regional or country specific participatory radio campaigns that are supported through SAC.
• Develop other key project communication
• Support the achievement of the aims of the SAC Project communications strategy.
• Ensure visual identity guidelines are adhered to in all communications products in line with WUSC and GAC policies and procedures for communications – including GAC visibility requirements set out in the project Contribution Agreement.
• Oversee and/or coordinate development and publication of project descriptions, brochures, newsletters, power points and/or other communications products.
• Support with graphics and video technical support including assisting with the identification of good quality, value and reliability service providers in each of the SAC Project countries.
• ●        Manage the project’s communications tools and WUSC Caribbean’s social media channels, including Facebook, YouTube and Mail Chimp email distribution lists for newsletters and key project announcements.
  • Develop and draft content, format and coordinate publication of at least two newsletters each year of the SAC project.
• Provide ongoing communications support as required based on needs arising.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Education

• Degree in communications or equivalent international development, international relations and combined with communications experience

Experience & Competencies

• At least 3 years of work experience in a communications role or similar capacity, preferably in a project environment or working for an International NGO.
• Proven knowledge of and experience in developing communications tools and techniques including graphic design and production of documents for public dissemination.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Curious, enthusiastic and willing to innovate and adapt.
• A motivated self-starter

Languages

• Complete fluency in English (written and spoken) is required.

WHY WORK WITH WUSC?

Join Us. Our work is important, cutting-edge, and fast-paced. We encourage curiosity, innovation, and flexibility. And we provide a phenomenal learning experience.

WUSC Caribbean offers a dynamic international work environment with a diverse intercultural workforce. We offer employees exciting opportunities to apply their skills and gain experience all while making a difference in the lives of youth around the world. Employees at WUSC Caribbean work hard to create lasting change in education, economic opportunities and empowerment.

APPLICATIONS

WUSC Caribbean’s activities seek to balance inequities and create sustainable development around the globe; the work ethic of our staff, volunteers, representatives and partners shall correspond to the values and mission of the organization. WUSC Caribbean promotes responsibility, respect, honesty, and professional excellence and we will not tolerate harassment, coercion, sexual exploitation or abuse of any form. Successful applicants will be required to undertake an enhanced criminal record check where appropriate.

WUSC Caribbean is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

This position is open to all suitably qualified CARICOM Nationals. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone calls please.

Suitably qualified persons are invited to submit their cover letter, CV, and the name and contact information of 3 professional references via email to [email protected] by the 5^th of May, 2023.  Please use the subject line Regional Communications Specialist for job applications.

While WUSC Caribbean thanks all applicants for their interest, only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.

The Sustainable Agriculture in the Caribbean (SAC) project is implemented by World University Service of Canada (WUSC) with funding support from the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada (GAC).