Traffic Communications Officer

This position is responsible for ensuring the consistent and efficient communication activities and public relations aspects of TRAFFICs Central Africa Programme (TCAF). It includes the planning, implementation and evaluation of communication activities of TCAF in the context of extending TRAFFICs profile and impact of its conservation programme.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

Public relations

Increase TCAF's visibility through engagement in promotional activities in the public arena e.g. speaking at conferences and other events;
Support production of adequate communication materials for TCAF and partners for fundraising and other promotional purposes;
Oversee TCAF's presence at international and regional conferences and other events with regard to the dissemination of results of work on specific TCAF research projects.

Programme interface

Provide input to proposal and project development efforts of TCAF, ensure that adequate budget allocation and planning of communications activities in the project cycle are fully incorporated into TCAF activities;

Participate and provide input to TCAF reporting cycles e.g. TRAFFIC annual and technical reports, and reports under formal partnerships as necessary (e.g. WWF, IUCN, COMIFAC, CBFP, CITES, CBD, UN-GRASP etc.).

Planning

Under the guidance of senior Communications colleagues at TRAFFIC International, collaborate in the implementation of the networks global communications and advocacy strategies, supporting delivery of TRAFFICs global conservation programme.
Carry out a stakeholder analysis for communication in Central Africa and a needs assessment for wildlife trade-related communication (incl. a needs assessment of journalists) with identified key stakeholders;
Develop a communications strategy for TCAF;
Develop and update annual advocacy and communications activities for TCAF together with the Advocacy and Campaigns Director and Global Communications Co-ordinator of TRAFFIC International;
Maintain and update a communications management tool for internal TCAF planning purposes, which indicates dates and communications plans developed for all TCAF outputs; and inform WWF CARPO, IUCN PACO and partners of forthcoming communications opportunities;
Establish effective systems for management of communications materials (e.g. photographs, publications, reports);
Review all external communications outputs of TCAF and ensure adherence to network guidelines including final review.

Delivery

Serve as TCAF spokesperson , in collaboration with the Regional Director and other staff of TRAFFIC, vis vis media, scientists, researchers, governments and others seeking information about wildlife trade issues;
Plan and produce high quality communications materials, including press releases, newsletters (INFO-TRAFFIC), technical reports, updated website information, brochures, articles (TRAFFIC Bulletin) etc.;
Ensure the dissemination of information and communication materials (and evaluate their impact;
Prepare French & English Press Releases and Web-Updates;
Seek and provide information to fill and update the TRAFFIC network web site;
Keep abreast of information on wildlife trade-related incidents in Central Africa and provide them to the Global Communications Co-ordinator of TRAFFIC International;
Keep a contact list of conservation / economy / wildlife trade-interested journalists and correspondents in Central Africa, G20 embassy press attachs and foreign correspondents;
Keep the above groups up-to-date on wildlife trade-related information within Central Africa;
Stay abreast of communication procedures and frameworks of TRAFFIC (style manual, final clearance process, etc);
Sign-on to key regional and national web information services in Central Africa (COMIFAC, CBFP, RAPAC, CEFDHAC, GRASP, African Scientists, IIED-Ls, WWF-CARPO, IUCN-PACO, LAGA, RARE, etc);
Sign-on to WWF Connect (set relevant alerts) and IUCN Knowledge Network;
Ensure translation of technical documents from French to English or vice versa;
Contribute to capacity building of TRAFFIC regarding communication of projects in Central Africa;
Support media campaigns of TCAF and/or its partners (WWF CARPO and IUCN PACO) in order to capitalize and share programme experiences/outputs;
Build and maintain relationships with national, regional and international media agencies (radio, television and newspaper) and independent journalists to ensure quality media coverage of key TCAF activities.

Partnership

Maintain close collaboration and dialogue with the communications focal points of TRAFFIC, and of WWF CARPO and IUCN PACO staff and ensure that the communications activities of TCAF are aligned with the partner organizations goals and activities and developed jointly as appropriate;
Share communications workplan and strategy with regional partners.

Fundraising

Support TCAFs fundraising efforts as appropriate, identify opportunities to fundraise for communications work (incl. capacity building / training workshops for journalists on wildlife trade) and draft respective concepts and proposals.

Other tasks related to TCAF as agreed with the Regional Director.

REQUIREMENTS:

A University degree (Bac + 4) in nature conservation related disciplines with specific skills in communication and/or journalism and public relationships;
At least 3 years of professional experience in the communications field, including proven experience in biodiversity conservation or facilitation of environment networks, and in managing communications projects;
Work experience in an international NGO is an asset;
Organizational skills and attention to details;
Strong writing and oral communication skills;
Excellent skill in synthesising complex technical reports and communicating to a wider audience in an accessible language;
Good interpersonal skills;
Working languages: English and French (bilingualism is strongly needed);
Good knowledge of computer software (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Photoshop, ), NICT and familiarity with web-based information and knowledge tools;
Ability to work independently and cooperatively with others, and effectively in a multi-cultural team;
A willingness to travel frequently in Central Africa and potentially to other parts of the world and work under pressure.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position may upon request supervise consultants on specific communications projects.

REQUIREMENTS

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