Strategic Communications Manager

Job Description

Tanzania cotton and Textile Development Programme  Strategic Communications Manager
Tanzania Gatsby TruSt
Context
In September 2007.following discussions with the Tanzanian Government, the Gatsby Foundation initiated a major long-term program supporting the transformation of the Tanzanian cotton and textiles sectors. Working in partnership with the Tanzanian Cotton Board (TCB), the program aims to transform the performance of Tanzania’s cotton sector, doubling yields for 400,000 cotton farmers.
After an extensive period of research and plot activities, the program is supporting the TCB to drive a major restructuring of the industry by introducing contract farming between ginners and farmers.
Given the challenges to reform presented by local vested interests in the sector, this work includes support for policy analysis, education of stakeholders and facilitation of public-private dialogue. In parallel to this regulatory reform initiative, the program seeks to support the long-term sustainable management of the sector through capacity building to the key state institutions, including the TCB, and is facilitating the sector-wide use of improved cotton seed, and assisting cotton farmers to adopt minimum tillage conservation agriculture.
So far the Gatsby Charitable Foundation UK has committed approximately £6m over four years to the program, and has secured £7m over four years in match funding from DHO to support the current scale-up phase. The program is managed by a small management team placed within the
TCB split between Dar es Salaam and Mwanza. Financial management and administrative support are provided by Tanzania Gatsby Trust, a local institution funded by the Gatsby Foundation of UK
Key implementing partners besides TCB include local government, the local private sector and the international development consultancies.
In order to support the TCB’s policy reform initiative more effectively, the program is seeking to recruit a Strategic Communications Manager. This role is outlined in more detail below.
Job Scope
The initial responsibility of the Strategic Communications Manager will be to work with the Program management team and TCB to refine the strategic communications plan of the Program. The objective of the plan will be to manage the political risk associated with the Programs and TCB’s policy reform work through engagement with multiple audiences — including national & local politicians, cotton farmers and the private sector. We would expect the plan to be heavily data-driven, in order to make sure that clear and transparent messages are conveyed about the positive impact of reform on farmer welfare and the sustainability of the cotton industry.
Subsequently the role will have two overlapping responsibilities
1 To implement the agreed external communications plan effectively, ¡n dose collaboration with the TCB. In particular this should include a focus on building Program relationships among key political and pnvate sector stakeholders.
2. To manage internal communications with donors, primarily DFID, around reporting and Program impact monitoring & evaluation.

• Managing quarterly and ad-hoc reporting
• Managing external program reviews as necessary

The roles overlap nsofa as they both meet a need for excellent information management by the Program, to ensure that accurate messages can be communicated to all stakeholders regarding the impact of its activities.
Contract Type
The contract is for a renewable one year fixed contract, based in Dar Es Salam.
Reporting Structure
The Strategic Communications Manager will report to the Program Manager.
Salary &ßenefìts
The salary will be negotiable depending on the experience of the successful candidate
Person specification
Experience

• A minimum of five years’ work experience at managerial level in the
  communications sector, either in a corporate, consultancy or non-profit context
• Demonstrable track record of developing and managing successful strategic communications plans involving political, public and private sector engagement
• Strong understanding of the political landscape and dynamics in Tanzania, both at national and regional level
• Experience in the agriculture or agribusiness sector preferred
• Experience working with major donors preferred
• A minimum of two years work experience in Tanzania
  Skills
• Passionate about using data and information to build persuasive communications arguments
• Strong project management skills: able to monitor multiple work streams. Coordinate contracting partners and stakeholders, foresee potential choke-points in delivery and take necessary action.
• Excellent interpersonal, diplomatic and persuasive skills. Able to build a strong rapport 4th multiple public & private sector stakeholders, both local and international, and manage differences between them; comfortable negotiating challenging political relationships.
• A very strong self-starter with plenty of energy. Able to meet deadlines under pressure and balance conflicting and constantly changing priorities. Able to plan and prioritize own work and that of others.
• Able to guide the communications strategy of an institution I project and integrate communications into its daily operations
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Personal

• Must be a Tanzanian willing to commit to at least 12 months based in Dar es salaam, with frequent field travel to the Lake Victoria region
• Shows integrity, professionalism and empathy with the mission and values both of the Tanzania Gatsby Trust and of the Tanzania Cotton Board
• Able to be flexible about working hours and travel when necessary
• Working knowledge of Kiswahili — fluency strongly preferred

How to Apply If you have the above qualities, please write to:
The Chief Executive Officer

Tanzania Gatsby Trust

7 Floor PPF House, Samorai/Morogoro Road

P 0 Box 8695

Dar es Salaam

E-mail: infotanzania-gatsby.com

Website: www.tanzania-gatsby.com

Enclosing your detailed CV, copies of your testimonials, and names of addresses of 3 referees before
25th January 2013
Tanzania Gatsby Trust is an equal opportunity employer.

Source: The Citizen 14th Jan 2013