Vacancy for a Global Communications Coordinator (24/08/06)

Good afternoon everyone:

There’s a vacancy with Traffic International for a Global Communications Coordinator that may be of interest.

Best regards, Sandra Hails, Ramsar Secretariat
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TRAFFIC INTERNATIONAL VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT: Global Communications Co-ordinator

TITLE: Global Communications Co-ordinator
LOCATION: TRAFFIC International office in Cambridge, UK
REPORTS TO: Executive Director, TRAFFIC International

BACKGROUND
TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, is seeking a Global Communications Co-ordinator for its global programme. TRAFFIC is a joint conservation programme of WWF- the conservation organisation, and IUCN-The World Conservation Union, working to ensure that trade in wild animals and plants is not a threat to the conservation of nature. Since its founding in 1976, TRAFFIC has grown into an international network, with 22 offices worldwide, organised in eight regional programmes. TRAFFIC actively monitors and investigates wildlife trade and provides its information to diverse audiences worldwide as a basis for effective conservation policies, legislation and programmes.

The Global Communications Co-ordinator will be based in the TRAFFIC International office in Cambridge, UK. This is a management-level post reporting to the Executive Director of TRAFFIC International.

DUTIES
The Global Communications Co-ordinator manages the planning, implementation and evaluation of communications activities of the TRAFFIC network in the context of extending the profile and impact of its conservation programme. The position also co-ordinates development and production of communications tools handled by TRAFFIC International

The Global Communications Co-ordinator's specific duties include:

Profile
• Leads on TRAFFIC brand and identity development and implementation of the guidelines set under the strengthened IUCN/WWF partnership, co-ordinates efforts to ensure enhanced branding of TRAFFIC outputs and monitors effectiveness together with WWF and IUCN.

• Seeks opportunities to increase TRAFFIC's visibility through engagement in promotional activities in the public arena e.g. speaking in conferences and other events etc. securing at least three events a year.

• Co-ordinates production of adequate promotional TRAFFIC materials for the network and partners for fundraising and other promotional purposes.

Programme interface
• Provides input to proposal and project development efforts of the network, ensuring adequate budget allocation and planning of communications activities in the project cycle are fully incorporated to all TRAFFIC activities.

• Participates and provides input to TRAFFIC reporting cycles e.g. TRAFFIC Committee, WWF, IUCN etc.

Planning
• Develops and updates annual advocacy and communications strategy together with the Advocacy and Campaigns Director, as well as plans on TRAFFIC's presence at international and regional conferences and other events and with regard to the dissemination of results of work on specific TRAFFIC research projects.

• Maintains and updates a communications management tool for internal TRAFFIC planning purposes, which indicates dates and communications plans developed for all TRAFFIC outputs; and informs WWF and IUCN partners in timely fashion of the forthcoming communications opportunities.

• Advises on a wide range of publications and other communications tools and approaches to ensure effective delivery of programme messages, consistency in style, network standards and accuracy in the presentation of TRAFFIC's findings and policy; acts as communications reviewer of external TRAFFIC outputs.

• Ensures effective operation of TRAFFIC International's formal final clearance review of network outputs under the terms of the Guidelines for the Operation of the TRAFFIC Network; as well as ensures TRAFFIC network review of WWF and IUCN publications and other communications tools related to wildlife trade issues as required.

• Carries out systematic monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of TRAFFIC’s communications outputs together with partners WWF and IUCN.

Delivery
• Serves as a network spokesperson and, in collaboration with the Advocacy Director, as a primary liaison point with media, scientists, researchers, governments and others seeking information about wildlife trade issues.

• Oversees development and maintenance of the TRAFFIC network website.
• Oversees publication of the newsletter TRAFFIC Dispatches and production of annual reports of TRAFFIC network together with other TRAFFIC staff and consultants as appropriate.

• Plans and produces communications materials with WWF and IUCN as appropriate e.g. CITES CoPs and other conferences.

• Ensures most desirable messaging at all times in TRAFFIC / wildlife trade related media work, especially when related to global programme priorities.

• Leads on TRAFFIC's media outreach efforts, both on global and regional fronts, with an input from the partners WWF and IUCN, and in close collaboration with the WWF International press office for international press releases.

Partnership
• Maintains close collaboration and dialogue with the communications focal points of WWF and IUCN staff and ensures that the communications activities of TRAFFIC are aligned with the partner organizations goals and activities and developed jointly as appropriate.

• Shares communications workplan and strategy with partners, with specific consideration of the role of the WWF Global Communications.

• Serves as the focal point with the WWF and IUCN global communications teams; co-ordinates the use of TRAFFIC network communications materials and initiatives via the WWF and IUCN global communications channels, including their respective websites, newsletters, e-bulletins, press office.

Fundraising
• Supports TRAFFIC’s fundraising efforts as appropriate, and seeks opportunities to fundraise for communications work, drafts proposals as and when required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Supervises a Reports Editor. A communications support position supervised by this post is also under development. Also manages a part-time website technical consultant. This position also supervises other consultants on specific communications projects and contributes to the supervision of regional TRAFFIC programmes.

REQUIREMENTS
• A degree in media studies or similar communications discipline.
• At least seven years of professional experience in the communications field, including proven experience in developing results-oriented strategies and managing communications projects.

• A high level of organisational skills and attention to detail; strong writing skills; familiarity with QuarkXPress and electronic publishing.

• Fluency in English and, preferably, working knowledge of French or Spanish.
• An ability to work co-operatively with others, both in an office situation and with staff of other TRAFFIC offices and WWF and IUCN programmes.

• A willingness to travel widely and frequently and work under pressure.

APPLICATIONS
Applicants are asked to submit their CV and a covering letter in English. The letter must specifically address the job requirements in the order presented above. Applicants should further provide the names/contact details of three referees, including one recent employer.

Applications should be submitted, preferably by email with the subject header “Job Application Global Communications Co-ordinator”, by 22 September 2006 to:

The Executive Director, TRAFFIC International
219A Huntingdon Road
Cambridge, CB3 0DL

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Sandra Hails, CEPA Programme Officer
Ramsar Convention Secretariat
Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 999 0176; Fax: +41 22 999 0169
E-mail: hails@ramsar.org
Web Site: http://ramsar.org
CEPA mini-Web site: http://ramsar.org/outreach_index.htm

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