Communications & Public Affairs Manager

Position:

Communications & Public Affairs Manager

Division:

Communications and Outreach

Report to:

Executive Director (ED)

Band:

D

Background & Project Description

In September 2017, the U.S. Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) signed a $500 million compact agreement with the Government of Nepal. The compact aims to increase the availability and reliability of electricity, maintain road quality, and facilitate power trade between Nepal and India—helping to spur investments, and accelerate economic growth.  The compact agreement is valid for a period of five years, and is currently in implementation stage, prior to Entry-Into-Force (EIF) at which time the five-year time period begins.

Pursuant to the aforementioned agreement, the entity charged with implementing the project has been established as the Millennium Challenge Account Nepal entity. This position will assume a critical role in the success of MCA-Nepal. 

Position Objective

Reporting to the Executive Director (ED), the Communications and Public Affairs Manager will manage broad-based strategic communications strategies and plans to effectively promote and publicize MCA-Nepal projects and activities and to strengthen stakeholder participation in the Compact.

Duties and Responsibilities

Outreach& Public Affairs

• Launch a communications strategy and plan with clearly defined objectives, messages, and an outreach plan with timeline of outreach activities to targeted stakeholders and liaise with MCC counterparts during the development and refinement of these plans;
• Oversee all outreach and public relations activities and ensure that the US Embassy Public Affairs Office and relevant implementing entities communications personnel are aware of these activities.
• Oversee relationship with stakeholders, focusing primarily on the political parties, Government and the media;
• Manage all MCA-Nepal public events such as forums, press events, workshops and seminars; 
• Oversee public consultation sessions, in coordination and collaboration with the ESP/GSI teams;
• Prepare speeches for ED and other executives public speaking engagements;
• Write press releases, answer press enquiries.

Planning

• Plan the annual and monthly work plans for all communications and outreach activities, clearly detailing roles/responsibilities, deadlines and budgets for each activity;
• In coordination with the Finance office, develop and manage of annual and quarterly budgets for communications and outreach activities;
• Oversee the consultative process plan, in compliance with MCC’s requirements, in collaboration with the Environmental Social Performance/Gender & Social Inclusion (ESP/GSI) teams.

Reporting

• Work in coordination with Monitoring, Evaluation and Economic Analysis team to accurately promote MCA-Nepal results and success stories;
• Commission where appropriate photographers, journalists, columnists or film crews to cover issues linked to project activities or special events;
• Monitor political developments and develop strategies on behalf of the Executive Director and the MCA-Nepal to deal with a dynamic political environment.

Communications & Productions 

• In collaboration with the Information Technology (IT) department, co-manage and co-direct the development of the MCA-Nepal website;
• In collaboration with other MCA-Nepal offices/departments, ensure that minutes of meetings of the BoDs are properly recorded and made public in both English and Nepali, within one week of the meeting date, via the MCA-Nepal website;
• Develop MCA-Nepal Branding Guidelines that will adhere to the mandatory MCC Branding Guidelines and manage the MCA-Nepal brand;
• Ensure quality output in MCA-Nepal social media plan, brochure and other promotional materials;
• Solicit media partners in electronic, printed and social media for the MCA-Nepal to disseminate information about Compact project opportunities and achievements;
• Oversee the engagement with the media to ensure that accurate information about the program reach the public domain;
• Act as the conduit for all of MCA-Nepal’s, and its employees interactions with the media;
• Take direction from the Executive Directorin serving as the spokesperson of MCA-Nepal;
• Perform other tasks and special projects as assigned by the ED.

Requirements (Education, Experience, Technical Competencies)

• Minimum Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Development Communications, Mass Communications, Journalism, Community Development, Business Administration or equivalent field.
• Certification on creative writing, photography, film-making is a plus.
• Approximately five (5) or more years of cumulative experience (notwithstanding whether earned before, after, or during pursuit of required academic qualification) in corporate communications community and public outreach. Experience in development communications is a plus.
• Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in crafting and delivering messages to diverse stakeholders;
• Experience in managing development of print, audio/visual, advertising and promotional communication products.
• Knowledge in the development of communications strategy, marketing and advertising plans will be an advantage.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and Nepali.
• Good Information and Technology skills, e.g. word processing, power point and other communications and publishing applications.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and demonstrated the ability to effectively interact and collaborate with people in multidisciplinary teams as well as work across departments, divisions and institutions.
• Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in group and public facilitation.
• Demonstrated high degree of courtesy, tact and discretion.
• Have high integrity and exercise good judgement.
• Have creativity and capability to be flexible to respond to changing requirements.

This Position Description is subject to revisions/updates as necessary to ensure alignment to the organization’s strategic direction and structure. Revisions to the description are subject to applicable Human Resources policies and procedures, and official versions of each Position Description are maintained by Human Resources.