Position Title: Senior Communications Specialist Status (FT/PT/Contract): FT
Department: Resource Development Job Level Classification: Level 4-Professional
Reporting to: Senior Manager, Communications, PR & Media People Manager (Y*/N) N
Location: Toronto, ON, Canada
Primary Job Purpose This position provides critical support to the organization's core communication functions and plays a key role in shaping the public voice of Save the Children Canada (SCC).  Working under the direction of the Senior Manager, Communications, PR & Media as a member of a three person Communications Unit, the Communications Specialist is primarily responsible for delivering both the internal and external communications strategies, ensuring that Save the Children Canada’s public voice reflects and conveys the organization’s mission, values, focus and identity. The Communications Specialist will work with all levels in the organization, and will work closely with Sr. Leadership/Executive to understand, develop and deliver communications that will have significant change management implications for the organization. Duties and Responsibilities
  1. Communications (External)
    • Develop, write, review and copy edit organisational collateral materials and documents (including mass marketing letters, newsletters, emails, annual reports, donor reports, FAQs etc.).
    • Working as a key member of an integrated Communications Unit, collaborate with members of Resource Development, Marketing, Government Relations and Program teams to produce communications materials that support the delivery of our strategy and ensure alignment to Save the Children’s brand position, visual identity, organizational priorities and stakeholder requirements.
    • Act as general communications advisor to other departments within SCC.
    • Alongside the Digital Communications Officer, provide design and production support/advice and assist with vendor coordination.
  2. Organizational (Internal) Communication
    • Partner with Executive and other Senior Leadership Team members (including CEO & Director, HR) to develop and implement communications plans related to Change Management initiatives, including (but not limited to): organizational restructuring, HR communications, departmental communications, crisis management communications, etc.
    • Lead the development and implementation of the Organization-wide (and departmental if required) Internal Communications plan
    • Lead on developing and implementing internal communications to Save the Children Canada employees, including but not limited to: communications requirements of all staff information meetings (quarterly Town Hall), CEO emails, internal newsletters, workplace.
    • Daily monitoring and triaging of info@savethechildren.ca email
  3.  Media and Public Relations Support:
    • Under the direction of the Senior Manager, Communications, PR & Media and guided by SCC’s overall Media Relations & PR strategy, assist with the development and implementation of organizational media and PR plans.
    • Work to ensure all media interactions reflect and articulate SCC’s goals and vision.
    • Prepare required media-related materials, including but not limited to media kits and briefing documents, press releases, op-eds etc.
    • Field calls from the media as instructed and help cultivate and enhance collaborative working relationships within the press and publicity community.
    • Monitor and report on media mentions utilizing a variety of media monitoring tools.
    • Manage and maintain SCC’s media contact database and email distribution lists.
    • Work closely with the Sr. Manager, Communications, PR & Media and the Director, Policy & Government Relations to leverage and adapt selected Save the Children Global Campaign segments for implementation in alignment with SCC’s strategy.
    • Responsible for the creation of strategic communications messages, materials and tactical plans to generate awareness and support for Save the Children, liaising with the Senior Manager and Digital Communications Officer as appropriate.
    • Support the appropriate implementation, integration and alignment of advocacy initiatives and strategies across functional units.
  4. Brand and Message Management & Compliance: 
    • Ensure alignment and consistency in SCC’s brand positioning, tone, visual identity and key messages across the organization.
    • Update and disseminate brand guidelines and ensure cross organizational adherence to the guidelines.
    • Develop process to continually improve all vehicles of communications across departments for external and internal audiences.
  5. Other Duties/Responsibilities as required (includes but not limited to the following): 
    • Acts as the delegated authority when Sr. Manager is out of the office / unavailable
    • Support the Senior Manager, Communications, PR & Media, and Resource Development team with event logistics for SCC Signature events.
    • Act as primary liaison with communication vendors/suppliers responsible for monitoring metrics of success outlined in the contract and statement of work.
    • Participate and support vendor selection process, identify opportunities to improve cost efficiency and quality of vendor services and as required, conduct audit and review of communication vendors.
    • Track media and PR related performance and key performance indicators (KPI’s)
    • Prepare monthly media reports and monitor brand mentions in the media.
Qualifications
  • Degree in directly related field such as Communications, Public Relations, Marketing or Journalism; or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
  • Minimum of four years demonstrated work experience in communications, specifically in Media and Public relations, Corporate Communications, Marketing and/or Advocacy.
  • Experience working in the non-profit sector or working with non-profit clients preferred
  • Superior communications skills with exceptional writing abilities to translate often complex and technical information into compelling language and stories geared to a variety of audiences and constituencies.
  • Bilingual (French/English) - Exceptional English (verbal & written), and intermediate/advanced French (written & verbal) a minimum; preference will be given to candidates who are fluently bilingual (French/English); additional proficiency in Spanish an asset.
  • Exceptional demonstrated ability to maintain strict confidentiality
  • Possess superior copy editing and material/collateral design skills.
  • Solid project and budget management skills required; event planning experience an asset.
  • Previous experience, understanding and knowledge of development issues both international and domestic, specifically as related to child rights, child protection health, education and livelihood considered strong asset.
  • Experience using digital communications and social media platforms; competency working with Microsoft Office products; experience using WordPress publications (or similar platform) an asset.
  • Experience using editing software such as Final Cut, Adobe Premier, InDesign, Illustrator an asset
Competencies, Skills and Behaviours
  • Excellent and well developed interpersonal skills, reflecting an appreciation and understanding of cultural practices when working with diverse internal and external audiences, perspectives and work styles.
  • Must be able to work autonomously as well as collaboratively with others to deliver on agreed objectives and results.
  • Possess a pro-active “can-do” and respectful attitude in working with others, managing priorities and timelines.
  • Concurrently manage and juggle multiple projects and assignments.
  • Experience and comfort level working within a matrixed organization.
  • Make sound decisions that are responsible and in adherence to organizational policies.
  • Strong analytical and problem solving skills to improve/adapt existing processes, with some experience in project management.
  • Ability to work some evening and weekends as required.
  • Adhere with Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding policy and protocols.
Other Requirements 
  • Adhere to Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding policy and protocols
  • Police check vulnerable sector screening
  Our Values in Practice Accountability:
  • Holds oneself accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
  • Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved
Ambition:
  • Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same
  • Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
  • Future orientated, thinks strategically
Collaboration:
  • Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, members and external partners and supporters
  • Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
  • Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to
Creativity:
  • Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
  • Willing to take disciplined risks
Integrity:
  • Honest, encourages openness and transparency
  If you are interested in this position, please e-mail a letter of application and a resume by April 25th 2018, to jobs@savethechildren.ca with Subject heading “ Senior Communications Specialist”. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Save the Children welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.