HEA communications specialist

Purpose of Position

Provide strategic communications leadership and capacity building support to the Asia Pacific region in the following arena of disaster management.

- Pro-actively engage all stakeholders (both internal and external) to increase their awareness and understanding of WV’s work in emergency response and community resilience building that mitigates the impact of climate change and disasters on children, their families and the community.
- Contribute to enhancing organisational capacity to effectively and proactively position WV as a leading disaster response, development and advocacy agency in the region.
- Develop communications capacity of regional disaster management team (RDMT) members in Asia Pacific.
- Support the internal communications needs of the APHEA team to facilitate effective information and resource sharing of their disaster management strategy, including the successes and challenges learnt during implementation.
- Work with the regional communications director, the global HEA Director of Communications and NOs to lead communications when large-scale humanitarian emergencies strike within the AP

Key Responsibilities

Strategy

- Contribute to development and implementation of HEA communications strategy, priorities and business plan.
- Contribute to the development of regional HEA disaster management strategy, providing expertise and experience relating to communications.
- Support National Offices in developing communications component of the HEA priorities and plans in alignment with the regional and global strategies and priorities.

Technical Support

- Contribute to development of global policies, guidelines and standards relating to disaster management communications and support in contextualizing and mainstreaming them within the region.
- Advise and support the Regional Communications Directors in their leadership and engagement on matters related to communications during humanitarian emergencies.
- Guide National Offices in the production and timely submission of high quality communications resources such as photos, videos, situation reports, relevant facts & data during emergencies via wvrelief.net and social media.
- Advise Partnership on regional context and appropriate messaging and positioning especially as it relates to disaster response and community resilience building in the Asia Pacific.
- Identify and advise on cutting-edge and appropriate technologies in communications that will facilitate effective and cost -efficient communications within the organization.
- Generate and contribute to HEA resources on key themes, projects and responses.

Operational Support

- Support National Offices by managing/coordinating communications during emergency response, including handling media inquiries, facilitating field visits, preparing external statements and internal information management.
- Work with HEA RDMT advisor to activate members and available staff for deployments.
- Collaborate with GRRT and Director of Emergency Communications during Level 3 emergency response communications in supporting the National Offices communications with all stakeholders.
- Collaborate with National Office HEA in preparation and implementation of communication section of National Disaster Preparedness Plan.
- Collaborate with Advocacy and HEA teams in defining public advocacy positions and messaging in relation to climate change, disaster risk reduction and actual or potential large-scale humanitarian emergencies.
- Ensure that key internal and external websites are updated with details of WV’s humanitarian responses, resources and spokespeople.
- Brief regional spokespersons on key messages and statements for media engagement. Serve as spokesperson when required.
- Develop and maintain good working relationships with external stakeholders such as media, peer NGOs and partners to enhance World Vision’s credibility, engagement and influence.
- Collaborate with HEA to monitor and share communications trends within the humanitarian aid industry.
- Collaborate with HEA to produce a quarterly newsletter on regional disaster management activities and trends.

Capacity Building

- Support the development and implementation of an integrated regional capacity building plan based on regional HEA / NO communication priorities and strategies.
- Advise National Offices on disaster management communications (especially emergency communications) core competencies and capacity requirements at national level.
- Identify, share / facilitate access to communications resources and appropriate materials, learning and support opportunities for National Offices.
- These may include active involvement in training, engagement of trainers, establishing institutional links, identifying opportunities for staff exchange or mentoring.
- Recruit, train and maintain deployable list of RDMT and communications registered staff.

Knowledge Management

- Encourage mutual learning between National Offices within the SAP and EAS regions and between other regions.
- Contribute to continuous learning and facilitate documentation of best practices in disaster management (especially emergency response) communications.
- Contribute to the community of practice.
- Provide capacity building via specialized individual, group, conference and simulation trainings.

Quality Assurance

- Support National Offices and ROs in ensuring adherence to communications policies, protocols, standards and branding of WVI.
- Address communications alignment, compliance and quality issues and needs of National Offices in disaster management.

Internal Liaison and Coordination

- Act as a strategic link and focal point for regional communications connecting National Offices, Support Offices and Global Center during humanitarian emergencies.
- Work closely with the HEA team to integrate communications strategy and objectives into all disaster management and community resilience business.
- Participate and actively contribute in Partnership forums, working groups and networks related to emergency communications as deemed necessary by regional leadership.
- Work with members of the Policy and Programs group to ensure that disaster management communications can adequately support the wider ministry of World Vision in the regions.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Required

- Relevant bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications or Marketing.
- Excellent oral and written (English) communications skills
- At least 5 years professional experience in communications or media in Asia Pacific.
- Experience in leading/managing communications response in humanitarian emergencies.
- Knowledge in photography, graphic and website design.
- Competent in the use of MS Office and web platforms.
- Excellent media relations and public speaking skills.
- Strong interpersonal, networking and organizational skills.
- Training, coaching and editing skills.
- Demonstrated facilitation and collaboration skills.
- Must be willing and able to travel extensively in Asia Pacific.
- May need to work with other virtual teams of different time zones

Preferred

- Ability to communicate fluently in at least one major Asian language.
- Understanding and experience in working with Asian cultures.
- Excellent cross-cultural communication skills