About JYAN
The Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network (JYAN) is an independent, youth-led, non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to youth development and human rights advocacy. JYAN is supported by youth values and seeks to develop, empower, and sustain a cadre of youth advocates to lobby for change on behalf of young people by promoting positive behaviours, teaching techniques of positive advocacy, contributing to policies affecting them and building their capacity in Jamaica, the Caribbean and beyond.
About the Role
The Communications Coordinator will have primary responsibility for JYAN’s presence online and in traditional media. He/she will conceptualize dynamic content for daily sharing on social media and coordinate communication activities to increase awareness around advocacy issues being addressed by JYAN.
The Communications Coordinator will:
Communications
Assess JYAN’s communications and develop a communication strategy in consultation with the team.
Develop and oversee the Communications Plan for the organization in alignment with its strategic goals and priorities.
Execute the communication objectives for projects and activities as assigned and aligned with our strategic objectives.
Develop sound messages for engaging various stakeholders across mediums (online, traditional media, public forums, stakeholder meetings) to increase awareness and buy-in around our advocacy priorities.
Develop and execute monthly content calendars, including social media posts and events (such as Twitter Spaces, and IG Lives).
Prepare and circulate press releases, in collaboration with the team where required.
Participate in media appearances, where required.
Secure media opportunities to promote JYAN’s work and advocacy initiatives.
Conceptualize and execute key communications and media engagement events such as editor’s forums, press conferences, media briefings, press activities at events, press requests and media relations.
Other Tasks
Oversight of JYAN’s digital presence and website, including monitoring our platforms and profiles.
Support the Advocacy Council in the development and execution of its work plan, particularly around communications and social media-related activities.
Support the creation and dissemination of regular newsletters and/or roundups highlighting our work, successes and upcoming events
Provide capacity-building opportunities for staff, advocates, volunteers and young people through conducting workshops on communications and advocacy strategies (letter writing, developing messages), digital and traditional media and other useful techniques.
Attend team meetings and one-on-one sessions, virtually and in person, as required.
Attend external meetings with donors, working groups and other key stakeholders, as required.
Lead biweekly communications meetings with the team.
Provide monthly reports on key performance indicators, and JYAN’s communications and online presence inclusive of data showing engagements, reactions, followership, etc, with recommendations for adjustments and next steps.
Assist with the identification, procurement and management of third-party graphic designers, photographers, videographers and other media-related specialists integral to completing media and communication activities.
Support the execution of programmatic and advocacy activities, where required.
Carry out any other tasks as assigned by the Executive Director in keeping with the role of the Communications Coordinator, and in executing the mandate of the organization. This may include administrative and logistical tasks or support, as necessary.
Requirements
Education, Experience and Other Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree or comparable qualifications in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations or other related fields.
At least two years of demonstrable experience working in communications and social media-related fields.
Experience working with vulnerable groups, non-governmental organizations or within the civil society and human rights advocacy space is an asset, but not required.
Knowledge of child rights and issues affecting adolescents and youth are considerable assets.
Required Skills and Competencies
Demonstrable experience in content creation and developing advocacy messages.
Ability to take technical information and turn it into a compelling story.
Ability to produce analytical and well-presented reports and publications.
Understanding of and ability to navigate the Jamaica media landscape and manage relationships with media representatives, CSO partners, government officials and other key stakeholders.
Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, creative and critical thinking and the ability to use information and intuition to make informed decisions.
Good time management skills and the ability to take initiative, work independently and meet deadlines.
Competency in basic graphic design and video editing is an asset.
Please note that this post is full-time. Our work environment is hybrid - two in-office days, remote and on-the-go. Our office is based in Kingston, Jamaica. Depending on our activities for a particular period, it may require working on the weekend or beyond normal work hours.
How to Apply
Interested applicants are invited to submit to jyan@youthadvocateja.org (attention Executive Director) the following:
Curriculum Vitae/Resume
Letter of Interest which must include (1) two specific skills you will bring to the organization in this post and examples of when these were used and (2) at least one example of a project/activity you worked on and the communication outcomes that were achieved
At least two samples of work relevant to this post (for example: a communication strategy/plan, press release, newspaper article/letter to the editor, etc)
This job description intends to provide a representative summary of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. The selected candidate may be requested to perform other job-related tasks other than those specifically listed in this specification.
JYAN is an equal-opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, class, gender, religion, physical ability or sexual orientation. Young people are especially encouraged to apply for this role.
Deadline: Thursday, June 15, 2023