Job title: Digital Communications Manager
Term: Full Time
Deadline: Monday 2nd October 2023
Location: Based in one of the Saferworld offices (London, Nairobi, Kampala, Bishkek)
Company: Saferworld
Salary: £42,115.00 – £46,020.00

Background:

Saferworld is an independent, not-for-profit international organisation working to prevent violent conflict and build safer lives in countries and territories across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. We work in solidarity with people affected by conflict to improve their safety and sense of security, and conduct wider research and analysis. We use this evidence and learning to improve local, national and international policies and practices that can help build lasting peace. Our priority is people – we believe in a world where everyone can lead peaceful, fulfilling lives, free from fear and insecurity.

The primary purpose of the communications team is to lead, facilitate and support collaborative efforts across the organisation to reinforce Saferworld’s standing as a centre of expertise on peace, gender and security issues and to realise Saferworld’s goals as outlined in the organisational strategic plan. We achieve this through producing high-quality, relevant and timely communications that are coordinated across our different geographic and thematic priorities and delivered via our communications platforms.

Job purpose:

This position is an exciting opportunity for a digital communications specialist to play a core role in Saferworld’s communications team, support other teams in their communications outputs, and oversee the digital innovation of Saferworld’s peacebuilding programming. The Digital Communications Manager will be a digital native who can take Saferworld’s digital communications to the next level.

The Digital Communications Manager will lead and champion digital engagement across the organisation. They will support the delivery of Saferworld’s communications strategy and will be responsible for ensuring the effective strategy, delivery and evaluation of all digital activities. This includes managing digital channels (Saferworld’s social media and website) and providing support for associated websites. The Digital Communications Manager will ensure effective online engagement and take forward online fundraising, using analysis of audience data to maximise our reach. They will work with programme teams to explore, develop and pilot potential applications of digital communications technology in the implementation of Saferworld’s peacebuilding programmes, tailored to the different information environments in which we work. The post-holder will work closely with communications, policy, advocacy and programme colleagues to develop social media, website and newsletter content. A key aim will be to lead the development of a digital strategy.

Roles and responsibilities:

Strategy and development

• Develop strategies, tools and applications to increase supporter conversion, engagement and retention, based on a thorough understanding of our audience.
• Keep abreast of developments in the digital arena (including in relation to digital innovations in peacebuilding practice), identify new digital opportunities and be a digital champion for the charity.
• Develop and implement a digital engagement strategy, including search engine optimisation across all of our online content.
• As part of the communications team, support the Head of Communications to develop, implement and evaluate Saferworld’s communications strategy.
• Ensure organisational messaging is implemented consistently across the range of communications materials, in line with Saferworld’s editorial and brand guidelines.
• Coordinate with Saferworld’s security, IT and operations teams on digital security.

Content development, production and promotion

• Coordinate and steer development of our digital content strategy, digital engagement and upcoming content plan, ensuring content is coherently scheduled.
• With the communications team, plan and produce compelling web content which brings our mission to our target audiences and makes a lasting impact in supporting our communications objectives.
• Locate and work with third-party organisations and bloggers to promote the organisation.
• Support offline events with online copy and live tweeting.
• Design content optimised for conversion and search engine optimisation.
• Oversee the production and distribution of Saferworld’s monthly e-newsletter and other email updates, including the development of new formats.
• Continually monitor data and digital performance, and present findings to the communications, leadership and other teams, to ensure we create and design content that resonates with audiences.

Saferworld’s website

• Ensure Saferworld’s website provides trusted, interesting, informative and up-to-date online content; work with internal contributors to make sure their content reflects our standards and expertise.Ensure fixed website pages are regularly updated and accessible.
• Manage the upkeep and development of Saferworld’s English, Somali, Arabic, Chinese and Russian websites.
• Work with IT developers and third-party providers on technical issues or development.
• Manage Saferworld’s Google AdWords account.
• Ensure corporate identity is adhered to online and all legal requirements are met, while working towards accessibility in all content across a range of devices.

Social media

• Manage Saferworld accounts across all major social media platforms: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.
• Ensure all social media communication takes into account country- and issue-specific sensitivities.
• Keep up to date on upcoming trends and developments within the field of social media and on how we can incorporate these into Saferworld’s social media.
• Keep the Head of Communications informed of significant problems that might jeopardise the well-being of the organisation, informing regional heads and the executive team where necessary.
• Support country programmes to analyse patterns of social media usage and monitor social media traffic to identify and track conflict and security dynamics in their contexts. Support them to make use of social media and other digital communications technologies, when appropriate, to help achieve programme objectives.

Monitoring, evaluation and reporting

• Monitor, evaluate and communicate statistics and results from our digital work, including on the performance of the organisation’s digital channels using tools like Google Analytics and Sprout Social.
• Provide suggestions for improvement of digital content based on monitoring, evaluation and learning.
• Monitor and evaluate content tracking indicators, report on key outcomes, and assess implications for future approaches as part of the communications team’s monthly monitoring.
• Report on specific content as needed for donor reporting.
• Evaluate and communicate statistics and results of our digital content within Saferworld.

Capacity building

• Train other members of the organisation in digital skills where possible and run sessions within the communications learning group as needed. Applicable skills include potential uses of digital platforms for programmatic functions – such as training, dialogue facilitation and advocacy – and mitigation of related risks. Also relevant are digital data collection, analysis and visualisation.
• Train other Saferworld teams on wider communications and on digital content creation.

Key working relationships

• Colleagues in the communications team – Work collaboratively; share information; implement communications strategy; support communications team colleagues on content as needed; report on progress made across the communications team.
• Colleagues in policy, advocacy and research teams – Support the production and dissemination of blogs, comment pieces, social media and case studies for Saferworld policy, advocacy and research teams. Work with teams to disseminate content digitally.
• Colleagues in programme teams – Support teams in developing, editing and producing digital content including blogs, case studies, comment pieces and digital material. Also support them to integrate digital innovations into their programme activities. Act as a communications point person for specific programme teams, providing support and facilitating monthly coordination calls.
• External stakeholders – Maintain and develop new relations with web developers, social media account systems, Google AdWords and digital stakeholders.

Scope and accountability

Decision making and limits of authority

• This is a senior role and you will be expected to assist in making strategic decisions, although the Head of Communications will provide direction on this.
Financial resources • You will work with the Head of Communications to manage the digital budget and related services budget.
• You will be responsible for coordinating, planning and leading digital activities in the organisation.
Other resources • With support from the Head of Communications, you will be responsible for the quality, accuracy and maintenance of website, social media, databases and systems.
• Responsible for Google AdWords, including budgeting and paid social media.
People management • Coaching/mentoring of staff on digital communications, including other members of the communications team and programme communications leads.
Legal, regulatory and compliance responsibility • Responsible for Google AdWords compliance and website and digital GDPR compliance.

Person specification

Knowledge, qualifications and experience

• Experience in a digital communications or digital marketing role.

Essential experience

• Experience in developing digital engagement strategies.
• Experience in content creation for social media and websites, including newsletters.
• Experience of managing social media accounts (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) and analytics reporting to inform communications.
• Strong knowledge of digital metrics including Google Analytics 4 and Sprout Social and translating data into insights for different people.
• Experience managing a website content management system. • Experience of communications work in a multilingual environment and with staff in different locations.

Desirable experience

• Experience of line managing staff, interns or volunteers.
• Knowledge and experience of applying digital communications technologies to social problems, ideally to address insecurity and violent conflict.
• Knowledge and experience of international relations, peace and conflict, human rights, gender, humanitarian aid and/or development.

Skills and abilities

• Excellent written and oral communication skills for different audiences.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a collaborative, problem-solving attitude and approach.
• Ability to liaise effectively in person and remotely with a wide range of people at all levels and across different cultures and act with credibility, tact and sensitivity.
• A proactive, can-do, value-for-money approach to get the job done in a positive and collaborative way.
• Project management skills to ensure timely and quality communications products by working with external and internal stakeholders.
• Proven ability to work with remote teams to deliver projects.
• Fluency in English, knowledge of second language desirable.

Personal qualities

• Self-motivated, with a flexible and enthusiastic approach to work.
• Willingness to take on and ‘own’ projects to develop knowledge and experience.
• Always looking for ways to improve things and develop self.
• Sensitive, flexible and responsive to the changing needs of an organisation.
• Commitment to and compliance with Saferworld’s safeguarding principles.
• Commitment to respect and value equality and diversity and an understanding of how this applies to own area of work.
• Understanding of and commitment to Saferworld’s strategic direction and core values.
• Commitment to own continuing personal and professional development.
• Commitment to improving internal and external communications and to fostering a collaborative work environment.

Other requirements

• Able to work out of hours during any critical incident or emergency. • Able to travel internationally (up to four weeks per year).

For more information or to apply for this role, please visit the Saferworld website.