Public Relations & Communications Officer

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Job Description

The Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) is the regional peak body on disability, provides leadership as well as supports national organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), donor and development partners as well as civil society and the private sector in the pursuit to ensure that all persons with disabilities live in an equitable, inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based society in Pacific Island countries and territories.

The role will be responsible for leading and managing all PDF's internal and external communications and public relations mechanisms as well as elevating PDF's profile and effective relationships with all stakeholders. The PRCO will develop and distribute content specific to PDFs vision, mission and aim and will be PDFs brand ambassador and liaison with the Public, OPDs and other relevant organisations. In addition, s/he will develop and implement an effective communication and advocacy strategy, promoting PDF’s work through success stories shared on various media channel and social media platforms. The role reports to the Director Operations.

Outcomes

Organisational Stakeholders
1. Effective Strategic Communication with Stakeholders
Communications strategy implementation ensured and refined for effectiveness to support PDF's strategic plan objectives  A corporate Communications Plan is produced and clearly communicated to all staff involved in its implementation As required, PDF staff are provided with capacity building achieve the expected results from the Communications Plan Implemented the Communications Policy that addresses the evolving demands and challenges of the region, including a comprehensive Social Media Guide Supporting the programs and projects by communicating activities and its outcomes through press release across all media (radio, print media, social media, television, etc.) as well as the social media platform Facebook, twitter, Instagram, etc. Accessibility, uniformity and branding ensured across all materials developed by PDF Effective communication policies and protocols are implemented and continuously refined A comprehensive Communications plan to support new projects, products and services established Communication requirements for CEO and senior management, including interview coordination, press statements, interview talking points and speeches effectively addressed and managed Implementation of guides and tolls to increase PDF secretariat communication skills and increase the capacity of Forum members as outlined its communications strategies Crisis-management communications plans implemented Wide-spread positive media coverage of PDF achieved Significant increase in stakeholder engagement and response at all levels  Visibility of PDF transformed corporate profile as well as its executives and members are optimised Communications budget prepared, monitored and managed effectively Robust risk management/mitigation planning guide implemented Capacity building provided
2. Effective Public Relations and Advocacy
PR protocols/procedures and strategies are established and effectively implemented       Public relations and advocacy activities including but not limited to community consultation forums, staff newsletter, website updates, corporate presentations and speeches successfully initiated and/or coordinated PDF's voice quality is improved via different online and offline channels All relevant media platforms effectively used to promote PDF's transformational initiatives All media inquiries, requests for information and interviews appropriately addressed Relevant events such as press conferences, trainings and workshops, etc. are organised and attended Effectiveness of PR campaigns are monitored and analysed with insights communicated to Management PR and communications quality and ethical standards maintained at all times
3. Relationship Management and Advocacy
Strategic partners/stakeholders identified and stakeholder engagement plans implemented Including Donor and CROP agencies, OPD's, NGO's, etc. as well as larger institutions/organisations Budget developed that will towards ensuring strong partner relationships The PDF website and associated print and social media are user friendly, accessible and kept relevant with up-to date content Relationship building between PDF and media personnel/platforms ensured, including media houses, journalists, editors, reporters, producers and bloggers Timely release of relevant and easily-understood information to internal partners and external stakeholders ensured (press releases. public statements etc.) All feedback and recommendations from stakeholders are acknowledged appropriately and/or referred internally Stakeholder relationships are monitored with the aim of continuous improvement On-going communication ensured with all participants involved in communication flows
4. Program-Based Communications are Supported and Effective
Appropriate communications plans for specific programs are developed and consultations carried out Relevant advice provided on the development, implementation, communication and evaluation of PDF's communication projects policies and standards PDF's key target audiences consulted and gaps within communication flows identified Key advice provided on the development and review of communications services based on stakeholder analysis Corporate identity and style advice developed and implemented through Program Teams and PDF management Risks mitigation plans affecting communications identified and implemented as required
5. Well-Informed Management
Effective and timely strategic communications and external engagement advice and support provided to the Board, CEO and senior management Availability of quality and timely information for use by the CEO and Board ensured during external engagements Reporting for CEO and Board is timely, complete and provides actionable information and recommendations
6. PDF's Image and Value Standards Demonstrated and Promoted
Collaborate with other teams in the organisation for the benefit of the organisation Monitor and encourage team members to uphold image and value standards Uphold and demonstrate the organisation's image and values

Responsibilities - Critical Competencies

Competence	Description
Business
Risk Management	Analyse and manage risk.
Planning	Deliver results by developing, reviewing or following a work plan, action plan or operational plan.
Information Analysis	Make informed decisions by collecting and interpreting data and information
Documentation	Communicate using formal business writing.
Communication	Exchange information through verbal communication
Customer
Customer Commitment	Demonstrate a commitment to customer service - both internal and external customers.
Promotion	Promote the value of the products/services offered by the organisation.
Relationship Building	Build beneficial relationships with suppliers and stakeholders.
Social and Cultural Awareness	Respond respectfully and effectively to people of different cultural and social backgrounds.
People
Problem Solving	Develop practical solutions to a situation.
Innovation	Use original and creative thinking to make improvements and/or develop and initiate new approaches.
Professional
Technical Strength	Demonstrate knowledge of a specialist discipline.
Research	Apply formal research methodologies.
Technology Application	Apply technology.

Qualifications

Qualification	Discipline	Notes
Preferred
Degree	Media, communications, advocacy, public relations
Desirable
Higher Degree incl. Post Grad Cert or Dip	Media, communications, advocacy, public relations

Work Knowledge and Experience

1. Approximately 5 years successful work experience in similar roles
2. Proven track record designing and executing successful communications strategy and public relations campaigns
3. Proven experience in acting as a company spokesperson; comfortable and skilled in both broadcast and print media interviews
4. Exceptional writing and editing skills
5. Strong relationships with line ministries, private and public sector partners and business media outlets
6. Proven ability and experience using all forms of social and online media to deliver messages and provide information to target audiences

Requirements

Language Proficiency
Strong written and spoken English Language Proficiency
Ability to speak and communicate in French will be an advantage

Interactions

Interaction	Comments
Internal
Chief Executive Officer
Board of Directors
Board Members
All Staff
External
Donor Agencies
Educational Institutions
Government Ministries
Media
Research Organisations
Relevant Stakeholders

Attributes

Attribute	Definition
Behavioural Styles
Accountable	Assumes full responsibility for own actions and identifies with the success or failure of own part of the overall work/goal.
Detail oriented	Attends to the small elements of a task/activity, ensuring completeness and accuracy.
Innovative	Devises new and creative ways to do things comes up with original ideas.
Punctuality	Completes a required task or fulfills an obligation before or at a previously designated time
Interpersonal Styles
Perceptive	Shows keen insight and understanding of issues or situations.
Realistic	Shows concern for facts and reality, rejecting the impractical.
Self-sufficient and assured	Readily copes with situations without recourse/need of others, showing confidence and belief in oneself and one's own abilities.
Thinking Styles
Analytic	Able to separate things into their constituent elements in order to study or examine them, draw conclusions, or solve problems.
Decisive	Reaches conclusions, promptly and firmly.
Flexible/Adaptable	Readily accommodates changing circumstances, modifying own behaviour and/or views. Able to adjust easily to new conditions.
Holistic thinker	Considers issues/situations as a whole rather than analysing or dissecting the parts.