Company Profile

Right To Play is a global organisation that protects, educates and empowers children to rise above adversity using the power of play. By harnessing play, one of the most powerful and fundamental forces in a child’s life, we helped 2.3 million children last year to stay in school and out of work, to prevent life-threatening diseases and to stay safe from exploitation and abuse. We are the only global development organization focused exclusively on using play to transform the lives of children and youth impacted by poverty, war, disease and inequality.  
Established in 2000, Right To Play is headquartered in Toronto, Canada and has operations in 22 countries across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.   

With a shared passion for our mission, our Culture Code guides how we act and interact based on five core pillars:  

• Accept Everyone – Be intentional about inclusion  
• Make Things Happen – Seek opportunities to lead and innovate  
• Display Courage – Act with integrity  
• Demonstrate Care – Look after yourself and one another   
• Be Playful – Have fun at work    

Please visit our website to learn more about who we are and what we do and watch this video to find out about the five pillars of our Culture Code.   

Job Description

Job Summary
 The Communications Specialist reports directly to the Country Director (CD). He/she receives guidelines from the Marketing and Communications Team at Right To Play Headquarters. The Communications Specialist is responsible for managing the communication plan and activities in the country of operation. He/she is expected to assist in enhancing the organization’s overall public image in the country. The incumbent works closely with the Program Manager, the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist and the Training Officer. 

Supervisory and Advisory Responsibilities 

Indirect Advisory Responsibilities
The incumbent provides advice to Program Manager, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist and Training Officer in regards to communications and the RTP brand.

Responsibilities

Planning and Compliance

• Develops and implements an annual communications plan, in line with the country office strategy. 
• Provides leadership for overall communications related to RTP in the respective country office. 
• Ensures that all communications materials and messages are in-line with project grant agreements. 
• Conducts field visits to project sites and ensures proper dissemination of information for events and success stories. 
• Conducts an ongoing review of the communications strategic plan to ensure effectiveness; the goals of the strategy are to improve outreach at a global and national level and gain support and visibility for the implementation of the projects, with a focus on the partners. 
• Establishes and maintains an editorial calendar to ensure RTP participation and visibility on relevant International “Days” such as Day of the African Child, in-line with country strategy and advocacy goals. 
• Facilitates relationship building with government and community opinion leaders and celebrities including Athlete Ambassadors/Supporters to endorse and disseminate messages for global and regional awareness campaigns. 
• Ensures compliance with RTP brand book, Child Protection policy and other policies related to communications. 

Communication 

• Develops systems for effective and efficient communications and best practice sharing within the country office. 
• Develops a system to produce impact stories, videos and photographs of teachers and children in our programs; oversees data archiving. 
• Develops informational and promotional material on RTP projects. 
• Trains the country team on the value and usage of the brand, as well as editorial and photography skills. 
• Liaises with printing and design companies, edits design when required. 
• Oversees and approves all print proofs in the country before production of merchandise including T-shirts and products. 
• Acts as a focal point on the “play-space” intranet, where applicable. 
• Identifies opportunities to amplify RTP messages and their use to influence policy development with a focus on governments and partner organizations.
• Establishes systems and procedures for monitoring and evaluation of the impact of communications activities and products of the project

Media and Public Relations 

• Develops contacts and maintains relationships with the locally based media. 
• Closely monitors and tracks media coverage of RTP and play-based learning in the country. 
• Writes media releases and success stories. 
• Conducts media activities in country to build capacity of local media to advocate for the role of play and sport in meeting development goals. 
• Promotes partnerships across the organization and beyond and represents RTP on all relevant communications networks with approval of the CD. 
• Accompanies and supports visitors to the field when delegated. 
• Works with the Country Office team to develop and implement media relations strategy for any high-profile visit to the country/ including preparing background materials and relevant packages. 
• Promotes and ensures media coverage of project activities with press releases, press conferences, photo coverage and interviews, etc. by building and maintaining a network of communications contacts with the press, governmental agencies, international institutions and civil society in the country;
• Develops a social media strategy for various platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. and trains staff in social media use.
• Develops and maintains contacts for newsletter subscribers.
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

Planning and Organizing
The incumbent is expected to plan and organize his/her work in line with the country strategic plan.

Required Skills or Experience

Education/Training/Certification
Master’s degree in Communications, Public relations, Journalism or any related field.

Experience 

• 5 years’ experience with I/NGO in the country of operation including media relations and developing communication plans and material.
• Professional writing and editing experience in English is required.

Competencies / Personal Attributes 

• Excellent interpersonal skills and confidence using these in a cross-cultural environment 
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal 
• A solid team player with respect for others 
• Ability to understand and motivate others 
• Proven ability in transferring knowledge and experience 
• Adaptable with the ability to deal with stress 
• Demonstrated professionalism and positive attitude 
• Effective organization skills 

Technical Skills 

• Strong MS Office and the ability to use PowerPoint 
• Aptitude in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator 
• Understanding of principles of inclusion in sport and play 

Languages
Fluency in written and spoken English and the local language(s). A good knowledge of Kiswahili will be an added advantage

Desired Qualifications (An Asset)

• Graphic design, photography, and printing experience 
• Demonstrable experience in networking 
• Understanding of human rights and social change issues 
• Experience working in child protection 
• Proven experience in documentation of case studies and production of communication materials.

Job Contributions/Impact 
Problem Solving 
The incumbent is expected to follow the established work procedures while using analytical skills to solve work related problems.

Financial Impact   
The incumbent is accountable for the planning and utilization of the communications budget.   

Information Management
The incumbent is expected to keep a data base for media relations, and to maintain an archive of photos and videos of RTP Programs and events. S/he is expected to collect information from the field, safeguard it and share it with the team as appropriate.

Continuous Improvement 
The incumbent is expected to assess opportunities and recommend changes to improve communications within the country of operations.

Relationship Management 
The incumbent is expected to enhance relationship by focusing on immediate internal and external relationships.

Additional Job Conditions
The incumbent is required to travel within the country, outside travel is possible.

NOTE: THIS IS GHANA COUNTRY OFFICE POSITION