Senegal: Director of Communications

Organization overview

Tostan is an international nonprofit organization headquartered in Dakar, Senegal and currently operating in six African countries. Our vision is human dignity for all. Our mission is to empower African communities to bring about sustainable development and positive social transformation based on respect for human rights. Tostan’s core values include the following: “communities first,” learning and innovation, partnership and dialogue, passion and pride in our work, and respect and humility toward others. Our organization is rapidly scaling its successful model across Africa. For more information, please visit: www.tostan.org.

Position overview

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer and working closely within Tostan’s Senior Support Team, the Director of Communications is responsible for developing and implementing the communications vision and strategy for Tostan. S/he will manage an international team based across both the Dakar and Washington DC offices and is responsible for all external and internal communications, including public relations, communications capacity building and training, and global advocacy.

Responsibilities

• Communicate Tostan’s work to global audiences, inspiring engagement and action, and raising the profile of Tostan’s community partners and their successes.
• Create and manage a comprehensive communications strategy (including digital) that supports the organization’s strategic objectives.
• Develop and manage public relations and media relations strategies for Tostan that positions the organization as a global leader in community-driven development and other areas. Proactively seek, and ensure management of, high-level international speaking opportunities for CEO and other senior positions.
• Build upon and work collaboratively with Tostan’s network of communications partners at the national and international level
• Serve as the communications expert within Tostan, consistently bringing an understanding of communications trends, best practices and technologies and how these might be best used to achieve communications objectives.
• Advise senior management, project leaders and other key staff on developing communications strategies to improve the effectiveness and recognition of their work.
• Build communications capacity of national teams in countries where Tostan implements its programs.
• Evolve effective communications strategies with Tostan’s sister organizations in other countries.
• Create and implement strategies for internal communications and act as an internal champion to ensure that every staff member is an ambassador of Tostan.
• Work with the Development team to create and drive engagement campaigns to increase the supporter base and awareness of Tostan’s work.
• Create and deliver on-brand collateral to support the different teams within Tostan (including at HQ and national coordination level).
• Lead and mentor a team of 6 full time staff as well as volunteers and interns. Work with individual team members to support their professional development goals and be an advocate for the communications team and best practice communications.

Location

This position is planned to be based at Tostan’s International HQ in Dakar. Tostan is also accepting applications from persons based in other locations who can demonstrate the ability to carry out all of the functions above through proven strategies for managing remotely and a willingness to travel regularly to West Africa.

Qualifications and Selection Criteria

The ideal candidate will possess a combination of the following experiences, skills and qualities:

Knowledge & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s degree, or similar advanced degree in relevant discipline preferred
• More than ten years communications experience including three years at a senior level
• Experience working in a development context and/or social sector organization
• Excellent project, team and budget management skills
• Ability to build relationships and work effectively within a complex, multi-stakeholder environment
• Adept in forming and maintaining external partnerships and networks to promote the Tostan brand
• Professional experience using and leading others on key communications technology tools such as web-based project and content management systems, social media tools as well as search engine optimization
• Expertise using and overseeing the production of websites, online communities, videos, webinars, infographics and other multimedia web content
• Excellent analytical, written and verbal communication and presentation skills; ability to quickly distill complex concepts into interesting and digestible pieces.

Languages

• This position requires high levels of English and French as a minimum. Other languages that Tostan works in would be an advantage – especially Wolof, Arabic, or Portuguese.

Characteristics

• Passionate belief in and commitment to Tostan’s mission to empower African communities to bring about sustainable development and positive social transformation based on respect for human rights
• Deep commitment to and first-hand experience with participatory communities, organizations, or education
• Shares Tostan values and has leadership experience bringing similar values to life in organizations and/or communities
• Skillful at communicating and bridging understanding to support strategic priorities and fulfill Tostan’s mission and vision
• Ability to work in a collaborative, co-creative team, bringing value to the team’s outcomes
• Diplomatic, thoughtful and patient
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and challenging environment.

Please email resume and cover letter, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position and stating how you heard about this opportunity, to hr@tostan.orgwith Director of Communications in the Subject Line. We will be accepting initial-round applications until Friday, February 27th. After that point, additional applications are welcome but are not guaranteed consideration until after the initial round process. This job advertisement will remain posted until the position is filled.

Tostan is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate all applicants without unlawful considerations of race, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.