The Nature Conservancy India has an exciting opportunity for a Communications Officer to support organisation level communication priorities as well as help develop and implement behaviour change communication efforts for one of our priority projects – addressing crop residue linked air pollution in north-west India. The responsibilities will be divided approximately 50% for organisation level communication and 50% for the crop residue linked air pollution project.
The Communications Officer will work closely with a creative agency and coordinate with partners to develop a behaviour change communications strategy aimed to encourage farmers in Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh to adopt the Happy Seeder machine to end the current practice of crop residue burning. The Communications Officer will be responsible for implementing the behaviour change communications strategy. This position will also require content writing for fund raising proposals, opinion articles, website stories, publications etc as well as other need-based support required to advance overall communications for The Nature Conservancy India.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Work closely with the Creative Agency and project partners to develop a behaviour change communications strategy aimed at eliminating crop residue burning in northwest India, by encouraging farmers to use the Happy Seeder machine.
- Write and edit fundraising proposals, opinion articles, website stories, print collaterals such as brochures, policy briefs, scientific reports as well as provide need-based support for organisational communication priorities.
- Facilitate meetings, interviews and briefing sessions with internal and external stakeholders to help the Creative Agency better understand the crop residue burning project’s requirements.
- Guide the strategy development phase by providing strategic inputs throughout the process, based on thorough understanding of the merits of the Happy Seeder machine and the on-ground challenges and bottlenecks.
- Coordinate with TNC staff, project partners and Creative Agency to ensure timely approvals and guidance during the strategy development phase as well as of creative ideas for communication products like posters, brochures, hoardings, radio jingles, Audio visuals, films, mobile messaging, below-the-line marketing events etc.
- Implement the communications strategy as per approved timeline and calendar of events.
- Manage the production of all communication products defined for various channels, including print, radio, mobile, and AV by liaisoning with various vendors.
- Organise on-ground marketing and awareness events defined in the strategy.
- Develop and implement a media strategy for the project aimed at covering project activities as well as positioning opinion articles at opportune times to target specific stakeholders.
- Develop regular internal communication updates for the project to share with TNC network, India Advisory Board and other internal stakeholders.
- Readiness to Travel frequently and on short notice to project sites, working long hours as needed.
- Readiness to work onsite.
- Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements
- Experience in developing behaviour change communication efforts, project management.
- Experience writing, editing and proofreading messages for targeted audiences.
- Experience cultivating and managing client relationships.
- Experience developing media relations networks, managing and implementing media strategies and measuring results.
- Experience implementing, and managing multiple complex projects.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual skills appreciated.
- Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience preferred.
- Experience developing, implementing and measuring communication and engagement plans/strategies.
- Excellent writing, presentation, and communication skills.
- Experience managing a budget.
- Familiarity with communication technologies and best practices.
- Knowledge and application of current and evolving trends in relevant discipline.
- Experience working with multiple project partners to deliver project outcomes and results.
- Experience working in a large, dispersed organization working across different countries, cultures and time zones, and managing communication relationship with headquarters.
- Media relations experience.
- Project management experience.
- Experience with building relationships and working with partners across different organizations.
- Strong verbal and written communication English skills and ability to articulate ideas in a compelling manner.
- Values-driven person with desire to make a meaningful difference and willingness to work in a fast paced environment.
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.