Senior Communications Specialist

The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), established in 1986, is a regional non-profit foundation with headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand supporting the advancement of safer communities and sustainable development, through implementing programs that reduce the impact of disasters upon countries and communities in Asia and the Pacific. The primary geographical focus of ADPC’s activities is Asia with the South, Southeast and East Asia being the primary sub-regions.

ADPC has more than 30 years of working experience in Asia along with the national and local Government of its charter member countries as well as countries of the Regional Consultative Committee (RCC) on Disaster Management. ADPC works to build preparedness at all levels, from regional, to national, sub-national and even to individual communities. Further details on ADPC and its programs can be found at www.adpc.net

SERVIR is a global program that provides scientific and technical know-how to help developing countries use geospatial information and technologies to achieve sustainable development. SERVIR-Mekong will promote the use and availability of publicly available satellite imagery and related geospatial decision-support tools/products to help key stakeholders and decision makers in Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam better predict and manage floods and other natural disasters, improve agricultural risk management, manage land-use more sustainably, and help governments and communities increase resilience to the negative effects of climate change. Funded by USAID, and with lead scientific and technical support from NASA, SERVIR-Mekong is being implemented by ADPC with inputs from consortium partners Spatial Informatics Group, Stockholm Environment Institute, and Deltares. Further details on SERVIR-Mekong can be found at www.adpc.net/servir   

Statement of Intent:

The Senior Communications Specialist will lead all communications efforts for the SERVIR-Mekong program through targeted, innovative communications. The Senior Communications Specialist is responsible for building and maintaining a positive profile of SERVIR-Mekong work through impactful media and outreach across key external online and offline communications channels; and delivering compelling stories and events that reinforce the image of SERVIR-Mekong, while supporting regular and efficient sharing and exchange of information through effective internal communications. The Senior Communications Specialist leads the improvement/revision and implementation of SERVIR-Mekong’s communications strategy, and communications / media policies, procedures and systems. He/she will also closely work with the Knowledge Management Specialist in fulfilling knowledge management functions within SERVIR-Mekong

Note:
It is not the intent of this Position Description to cover every aspect of the position requirements, rather to highlight the most important areas of personal and joint responsibility.

Required Qualifications / Selection Criteria:

• Advanced Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, International Development or related subject;
• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in similar capacity;
• Demonstrated technical skills in the production of communication products for print and online.
• Experience developing and implementing effective communications strategies for development audiences at a range of scales
• Exemplary English writing and editing skills (writing samples/writing test will be requested)
• Experience in managing the content of a website;
• Excellent research skills;
• Demonstrated skills in documentation and knowledge management interventions;
• Advanced computer literacy - including presentation software, graphic design, publishing, MS Office
• Experience delivering presentations to large audiences, and important stakeholders (including academia, Government and non-government). 
• Knowledge of the development context of the Lower Mekong region, and/or GIS considered a plus
• Experience working with USAID programs beneficial, including reporting, writing success stories, work planning, etc.
• Web development experience beneficial

Personal Qualities and Competencies

• Self-motivated, proactive, and takes initiative. 
• Self-directed, dynamic, pays attention to details, independent with excellent organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and organize work and time independently.
• Management experience in a communications or knowledge management role
• Ability to coordinate, motivate, and lead diverse teams to accomplish complex goals.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, team-oriented work style, and experience in working in a multi-cultural environment.
• Strong desire to learn, undertake new challenges, must be a creative problem-solver, must have self-confidence, willingness to work hard. 
• Ability to provide training for staff, course participants and consultants.
• Willingness and availability to travel periodically.
• General Requirement:
• Operate within all ADPC Guidelines & Procedures/ Policies.
• Provide ongoing capacity building training & development to ADPC staff as required.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Senior Communications Specialist will:

• Review/revise and maintain an engaging communications strategy for SERVIR-Mekong
• Provide inputs for bi-annual progress reports and annual reports covering relevant technical and administrative achievements
• Review and edit reports drafted by other SERVIR-Mekong staff and partners as needed/assigned
• Capture the impact of SERVIR-Mekong’s work through success stories and articles
• Contribute to the formulation of strategic planning documents
• Work with the SERVIR global team to ensure SERVIR-Mekong products, news, and updates are properly presented in the global site and microsite
• Maintain the SERVIR-Mekong web site(s) and social media accounts with updated information, events, resources and report regularly on web analytics; and work closely with a geospatial web designer to enhance and maintain the SERVIR-Mekong geospatial database and its user interface
• Regularly liaise with the communication teams of USAID and the SERVIR-Mekong consortium partners
• Design event collaterals (e.g. announcements, banners, booths, posters, etc.)
• Lead development of a contacts database 
• Work closely with the Knowledge Management Specialist and other consultants as required in the development of knowledge products and user engagement activities
• Work closely with the SERVIR-Mekong Chief of Party, the M&E Lead, and the User Engagement Lead to implement the SERVIR Service Planning approach
• Support the ADPC communications as requested
• Other responsibilities for SERVIR-Mekong and ADPC as assigned

Reporting and Working Relationships:

• Reports directly to the SERVIR-Mekong Chief of Party.
• Coordinates with and maintains partnerships with various SERVIR-Mekong partner institutions.

Contract Duration:

One (1) year contract with possibility of extension.