Communications Manager

at  DAI

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER – GLOBAL CENTRE ON BIODIVERSITY FOR CLIMATE (GCBC)

Developing effective communications solutions to promote the formation and work of the GCBC in conserving, managing, and using biodiversity to address the impacts of climate change.

OVERVIEW

The Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate (GCBC) is hiring for a new role – a full time Communications Manager who will lead the communications and event management for this important Defra funded programme, implemented by DAI Global UK.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced communications and events professional with an interest in biodiversity and conservation to promote the important work of the GCBC and drive the creation of a network of academics, NGOs, Indigenous People and Local Communities to address the climate crisis and who will thrive as part of the leadership of a small team operating in a fast-paced environment.
We are looking for someone with 5-10 years’ experience of working in a related role, who has excellent writing, editing and multimedia skills, experience of working directly with clients of UK Government funded projects, can improve the design, and lead the implementation, of our communications strategy and can demonstrate an interest in biodiversity and climate change.
The GCBC has been operational since 2023 and will continue until 31/3/2028 with a high probability of extension until 2033.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• A graduate degree in a relevant area.
• 5-10 years’ relevant experience in leading project communications.
• Experience of website/newsletter management to increase visibility and accessibility.
• Exceptional writing and formatting skills to produce professional looking documents and presentations.
• Experience building media relations and managing the reputation of the client and DAI by ensuring consistent, positive messaging across all platforms.
• Digital and social media proficiency including analytics, content creation and strategy formation.
• Ability to build and maintain excellent relationships with the team, the client and sub-contractors.
• Exceptional attention to detail ensuring that all messaging is error-free, professional, and aligns with the project’s objectives
• Ability to manage time and prioritise to deliver in a fast-paced and time pressured environment.
• Demonstrable experience of managing and delivering large events, including, content creation, scheduling, contracting and coordination.

DESIRABLE SKILLS EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience of working on HMG funded programmes
• Knowledge and understanding of Biodiversity or climate change sector
• Ability to work in French, Spanish or Portuguese

THE ROLE

The Communications Manager is a key player within the GCBC team. The project relies heavily on the implementation of a successful communications strategy to; maximise the number of applications for grant funding; keep grantees up to date with programme developments and requirements; share progress and experiences across the range of GCBC grantees; communicate clear expectations and processes to potential applicants; assist in providing insightful reporting to the client; manage the scheduling of and implementation of learning events; promote the successes of the project and share learning across the network of grantees and stakeholders, thereby building interest, engagement and support for the research that GCBC produces.
To do this the Communications manager will; maintain and update the GCBC website; collate stories and lessons for the GCBC newsletter; work closely the GCBC Grants Managers and Biodiversity Lead to develop communication material highlighting successes and learning; assist in setting up and managing events and trainings (with the subcontractor responsible for International networking); work with a range of consultants to develop communications products; work closely with the comms team at Defra to respond to ad hoc requests.
This is an exciting opportunity to work closely with organisations who are trying to solve problems at the nexus of biodiversity, climate change and livelihoods.
The specific responsibilities are outlined below.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Implement the GCBC communications strategy and advise the client on any updates or changes. Develop and implement a content calendar.
• Track communications activities to ensure GCBC is delivering products to the client on time and to contribute to delivery of the project’s KPIs.
• Increase the reach of the GCBC network via effective social media and other communication strategies.
• Manage contracts with GCBC communication providers such as the GCBC website provider and translation services.
• Support the compilation and drafting of success stories, newsletters, talking points, social media content, presentations and other communications products.
• Implement a series of events as described in the communications strategy.
• Create, design and produce written and visual communication products, including social media, web-based storytelling, and “learning bites” in close coordination with the project’s team members.
• Attend virtual and occasional in person meetings with Defra and the project team as part of the GCBC Communications Working Group.
• Apply consistent UKID/GCBC branding and formatting to reports, presentations, event materials and other publications.
• Lead the work on the translation plan, ensuring that GCBC documents are accessible to a wide range of audiences.
• Oversee uploading of final communications products to GCBC shared drives so that all products can be easily found and shared as requested.
• Promote and ensure uptake of the Technical Assistance Facility to upskill GCBC grantees.
• Support other communications tasks as required.