Director, Integrated Communications

MEDA

3d • Remote

About The Position

Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) invites applications for a temporary Director, Integrated Communications to join our dedicated and talented team in our mission to create business solutions to poverty! MEDA’s work is built on a foundation of Mennonite business roots and faith-based values, within the global context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We believe business solutions are effective interventions to address poverty. Through a market-systems approach and strategic partnerships, MEDA enables access to finance and provides business and technical expertise to build transformative agri-food market systems that create decent jobs, allowing traditionally excluded groups to become active participants in a sustainable economy. MEDA welcomes all who share our values and want to join us in our mission. To find out more about MEDA, please visit our website at www.meda.org . POSITION SUMMARY The Director, Integrated Communications will lead the external communication team which exists as a valuable resource and trusted partner to the other teams within Philanthropy & Public Engagement, the CEO’s Office as well as all other MEDA Divisions. The Director also serves as the global functional lead for Communications, supporting the regions in their activities and serves as a member of MEDA’s Senior Management Team. Reporting to the VP, Integrated Communications & Thought Leadership, they will be expected to create an effective, engaging web presence; the production of high quality research documents; the MEDAzine monthly email newsletter; an engaging social media presence on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram; a consistent brand image in all aspects; support for proposals and project deliverables for the programs teams; promoting learning products; developing collateral pieces, project videos, earned media coverage; and speeches and key written communications for our President & CEO. This is a currently available vacancy.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, English or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in communications related roles
• Excellent writing, editing and content production skills in English, proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and WordPress (or similar content management system).
• Understanding and working knowledge of Content Management Systems, web platforms and other systems related to keeping the website online, backed up, and secure.

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency in Adobe suite software an asset.
• Appreciation and support of MEDA’s faith statement, values and goals
• Understanding and appreciation of business principles, international development, and MEDA’s approach of creating business solutions to poverty
• Project management skills
• Contract management experience
• Team leadership and organization skills
• Effective communication skills to work across the organization effectively
• Awareness of current digital and nonprofit communication trends
• Judgement and creativity in acquisition, development and assessment of media sources
• Understanding and appreciation of business principles, international development and MEDA’s approach of creating business solutions to poverty
• Familiarity with MEDA’s individual and institutional funder constituencies, including bi- and multi- lateral government agencies, individual, institutional, financial donors, non-governmental organizations and other development agencies
• Willingness to undertake domestic and international travel as required

Responsibilities

• Accountable to create written content that supports, enhances and establishes the outcomes intended for the Communication Strategy. May ghostwrite scripts, articles, emails and talking points for President & CEO speaking engagements, key internal and external written and electronic communications, strategically using key messages to further the President’s leadership and vision.
• Oversee MEDA’s “Content Studio,” ensuring the uniformity of requests processes, quality of output, and tracking of time and resources expended on content creation, attributing to internal teams and budgets as appropriate.
• Strategically plan and manage an annual report that accurately portrays the work of the previous fiscal year, designed for maximum impact to a wide audience of both private, institutional, and potential donors.
• Advise on the production of advertisements, promotional material, and job placements.
• Author and oversee content for MEDA website, particularly high impact pages such as news articles, about us, home page, and crisis responses.
• Explore and expand channels for MEDA blog content to expand MEDA’s audience.
• Develop MEDA news release copy and distribute to relevant media outlets.
• Video creation: develop concepts, write/ direct script, collaborate with internal stakeholders, manage production via contracted videographer or internal resource, for Year in review, MEDA moments for Convention, and high-level brand videos.
• Define, develop and implement MEDA’s unified communications plan to support the corporate-wide strategic content themes.
• Develop and implement MEDA corporate communications strategy, enhance image and refine external communications and key messaging.
• Ensure positive reputation management of MEDA through active daily media monitoring, raising concerns to ELT, and making informed recommendations based on communications expertise and best practice.
• Utilize Crisis Communications expertise to advise on communication plans when faced with issues management, advising on critical components and refining messages to minimize negative impact, working with the Crisis Management Team as needed.
• Develop and implement MEDA external communication strategy that includes quality content from our programs, MEDAzine monthly email, Blog posts, news articles, and institutional donor newsletter.
• Coordinate the rollout of MEDA strategic plans and ongoing communication of key priorities
• Implement Board-approved brand strategies.
• Establish and monitor standards to ensure consistent MEDA image and branding.
• Refresh and recommend updates to brand strategy as needed based on market research.
• Coordinate with Regional Directors, Philanthropy & Public Engagement team, Strategy & Impact colleagues and relevant Executive Leadership Team members to strategically manage upcoming content needs.
• Manage agencies and communications free-lance providers to secure specialized skills and capacity for peak workloads.
• Oversee MEDA’s Digital Asset Manager (Mediavalet), delegating to those responsible for updating and approving photos.
• Ensure brand standards are upheld across the organization.
• Oversee the execution of an integrated and cohesive social media approach across the entire organization, on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. A particular focus will be on leveraging LinkedIn to expand MEDA’s connections with key stakeholders.
• Recommend social media posts for the President & CEO – re-share as appropriate from strategic “follows” such as the heads of target granting institutions.
• Report monthly on key trends and statistics; share recommendations based on analysis with relevant stakeholders by function or topic.
• Advise on best practices related to current trends, growing followers and increasing engagement.
• Responsible for the development, implementation, and administration of MEDA’s website.
• Report monthly on key statistics, aligning with MEDA’s KPIs to demonstrate positioning pillar of Strategic Plan.
• Oversee designing, content layout, coding, testing, and maintaining a web presence that effectively supports MEDA’s marketing and communications strategies and activities while remaining consistent with our brand and messaging.
• Manage and make complex decisions related to MEDA’s online presence, analyzing many different factors, and competing priorities, ensuring consistency, professionalism, appropriate language, and accessibility across each page, while incorporating visually engaging design and UX best practices.
• Communicate and coordinate content with staff at the Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund Design with user experience, user journey (calls to action) and SEO to maximize click-through and minimize bounce rate.
• Advise on best practices for web presence, microsites, and interactive components of digital experience.
• In any matrixed management relationship, contribute to staff selection, performance management and development including collaborating with regional directors on the assessment of communication leads
• Supervision and management of the whole Communications team, ensuring an environment that allows for open and honest communication amongst team, effective management of responsibilities and deliverables, and aligns with MEDA’s values and organizational culture.
• Ensure strong collaboration amongst team members in S&I and P&PE as well as more broadly with
• Conduct all recruitment and selection, carry out all requirements for effective and timely performance management, ensure staff continue to grow and develop appropriate skills and core
• Develop new techniques and processes to ensure smooth workflows and increased collaboration and cohesion amongst team members.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director