Manager, Corporate Communications (MCG/IE 5)

KEY OUTPUTS

• Corporate Communication Needs assessed 
• Corporate Communications Plan managed 
• Branding Strategies and Standards created and managed
• Corporate Communications Budget managed 
• Publications implemented and managed 
• Technical Advice and Recommendation Provided 
• Annual/Quarterly/Monthly/Periodic Reports prepared 
• Staff Coaching and Appraisal conducted 
• Individual Work plan developed 

KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS

Management/Administrative Responsibilities 

• Participates in the strategic planning of Corporate Communications, PR/Education and Events Management initiatives, ensuring clear evaluation frameworks are set to measure the impact 
• Develops Individual Work Plans based on alignment to the overall plan for the section 
• Participates in meetings, seminars, workshops and conferences as required;
• Prepares reports and programme documents as required
• Maintains customer service principles, standards and measurements

Technical/Professional Responsibilities 

• Contributes to the development and delivery of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Mining’s media, communications and engagement plans and strategies to support taskforce initiatives and monitor their effectiveness to identify opportunities for improvement 
• Develops and maintains effective internal communication mechanisms such as Microsoft Teams, newsletters, intranet updates, staff briefings, internal working groups, and support briefings for senior managers and governance groups 
• Establishes, delivers and maintains effective external communication mechanisms including input to annual reports, consultation processes such as community and agency workshop design and delivery and public submissions processes, webinars, website updates, managing and tracking messaging for key announcements, and supporting interagency and stakeholder working groups 
• Contributes to the definition, implementation and evaluation of a strategic integrated Communication Plan for the MoAFM that builds awareness of the organisation’s mandate and vision 
• Analyses requirements and proposals on ways to integrate advocacy and communication strategies into all aspects of the MoAFM’s policies, programmes and projects 
• Develops an internal communication plan to drive engagement, alignment and understanding of MoAFM’s strategy and priorities 
• Reviews, prepares and conducts communications needs assessments for the MoAFM divisions, projects and programmes 
• Creates, implements, and maintains effective branding strategies and standards for the MoAFM 
• Manages the organisation’s corporate communications buying budgets and operations, including but not limited to print publications and advertising
• Designs and publishes a Ministry e-newsletter containing relevant news and pictures from across the MoAFM; 
• Devises, implements, and maintains an effective and efficient print publication strategy, including the establishment of Editorial Committee 
• Designs and prints/publishes appropriate ministry promotional items such as brochures, graphics, videos, slide shows, booths, and more, to aid with events, etc 
• Assists in the planning of MoAFM and community events as directed by the Executive Management and Events Management team 
• Collaborates with appropriate corporate executive managers and senior divisional directors to ensure continuous improvement and to ensure that adjustments to strategy are made as needed and in a timely manner 
• Contributes to the planning and executing of external opinion surveys, including design & administration, as well as the collation and evaluation of feedback 
• Monitors the print, electronic and news media, and develops strategies for dealing with topical issues relevant to area of responsibility 
• Designs data collection procedures to facilitate the validation of quantitative and qualitative monitoring tools to support the public relation and education functions 
• Develops and maintains professional and effective working relationships with the media, civic communities and other interest groups to provide on-going information on the MoAFM’s activities and accomplishments 
• Keeps informed of developments in the corporate communications, government management affairs to help the Ministry operate with initiative and innovation

Human Resources Responsibilities 

• Provides management and guidance through effective planning, delegation, communication, training, mentoring, coaching and discipline 
• Evaluates and monitors the performance of staff in the Branch and implements appropriate strategies 
• Coordinates the development of individual work plans and recommends performance targets for the staff assigned 
• Participates in the recruitment and training of staff of the Branch
• Recommends training, promotion and approves leave in accordance with established Human Resource Policies and Procedures 
• Identifies skills/competencies gaps and contributes to the development and succession planning for the division to ensure adequate staff capacity
• Monitors the performance of staff and facilitates the timely and accurate completion of the staff annual performance appraisals and other periodic reviews 
• Ensures the well - being of staff supervised 
• Effect disciplinary measures in keeping with established guidelines/practices 

Other Responsibilities 

• Performs all other related duties and functions as may be required from time to time. 

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

• Corporate communications needs assessed and are in keeping with the agreed communication strategies 
• Branding strategies and standards created and managed with established guidelines and timeframes 
• Corporate Communications Plan managed in accordance with industry standards and agreed timeframes 
• Corporate communications budget managed in accordance with established policies and timelines 
• Publications are methodical, meet agreed guidelines and timeframes
• Technical advice and recommendations provided are sound and supported by qualitative/quantitative data 
• Work plans conform to established procedures and implemented accorded to establish rules 
• Reports are evidence-based and submitted in a timely manner
• Staff Coaching and Appraisal conducted in accordance with agreed people management principles and agreed timeframes 
• Confidentiality, integrity and professionalism displayed in the delivery of duties and interaction with staff 

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

Core 

• Excellent Oral Communication skills
• Excellent Written Communication and Presentation skills 
• Good Planning and Organizing skills 
• Good Leadership and People Management skills 
• Good Analytical Thinking skills 
• Excellent Problem-Solving and Decision-Making skills
• Excellent Customer and Quality Focus skills
• Excellent Interpersonal skills 
• Excellent Teamwork and Cooperation skills 
• Ability to manage the client interface and external partnerships
• Of strong integrity 
• Ability to apply initiative 
• Compliance 
• Good Change Management skills 

Technical 

• Good knowledge of Corporate Communication principles and practices
• Significant experience in contributing to communication strategies/plans and coordinating communication channels 
• Experience in communicating in a relevant subject area such as Agriculture and Mining sector 
• Ability to foster and maintain a good working relationship with the media
• Good understanding of the machinery of Government, political processes and the requirements of Ministers and other officials 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and other programme applications (PowerPoint and Publisher) appropriate to assigned responsibilities
• A strong sense of trust and a high level of confidentiality and integrity
• Strong interpersonal, communication and relationship building skills with ability to consult and provide advice to all levels of the organization
• Ability to work independently and contribute effectively as a team member to achieve goals
• Strong organisational and time management skills with an ability to prioritize and manage workload, meet deadlines and adapt to changing circumstances 

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations, Media/Communication Studies, Mass Communication or a related discipline; 
• Four (4) years’ experience in a public relations/media and communications environment. 

SPECIAL CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE JOB

• Work will be conducted in an office outfitted with standard office equipment and specialized software. The environment is fast paced with on-going interactions with critical stakeholders and meeting tight deadlines which will result in high degrees of pressure, on occasions. Will be required to travel locally and internationally to attend conferences, seminars and meetings 

AUTHORITY

• Drafts and reviews Corporate Communications materials 
• Recommends improvements to the Corporate Communications strategy/plan 
• Recommends staff appointments, promotion, recruitment, disciplinary action, leave and general welfare issues 
• Recommends relevant training and development programmes for direct reports to enhance knowledge and performance 

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.