Communications manager

The Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) is the largest global network for advancing research on violence against women (VAW), violence against children (VAC) and other forms of violence driven by gender inequality.

The SVRI is seeking an individual to join our committed team to work towards an integrated, coherent, innovative and consistent communications strategy for research dissemination and knowledge exchange across our four pillars. The SVRI is a not-for-profit network for researchers, practitioners, activists, funders and others in our community providing unique online and offline spaces to share, learn and connect. As knowledge managers in the field, the SVRI gathers, develops, distils and disseminates knowledge for improving policy and practice. We facilitate knowledge exchange and sharing by providing colleagues with a variety of digital communication platforms upon which to network, learn, discuss, influence, and develop innovations to strengthen prevention of and response for violence against women, violence against children and other violence driven by gender inequality in low- and middle-income countries.

In order to ensure the SVRI’s visibility and to encourage active participation by our membership, the Communications Manager will strengthen and implement SVRI’s Communications Strategy to enrich our communications, media, events and outreach efforts around key areas/projects of the SVRI. This is an opportunity to join the SVRI team, in a full time role, and key aspects will be facilitating the development of creative and innovative approaches to communications and supporting the Global Advocacy Director in terms of our strategy around knowledge translation and building influence to shift, disrupt and strengthen the field.

The scope of the work will include:

• All communications activities of SVRI projects including dissemination of external research, capacity building initiatives, courses, events, and grantee achievements and lessons learned via SVRI platforms and networks.
• Manage SVRI’s three main channels on a regular basis, which include social media, the website, and the SVRI newsletter. Maintain a regular social media plan including crafting of posts, designing of images and social media tiles, write captions, monitor channels and promote users’ engagement. Analyse and evaluate the impact of the social media plan and implement improvements accordingly. Manage and update the SVRI website: upload content, supervise design, navigation and accessibility, apply search engine optimisation. Help create, edit and review our weekly newsletter (SVRI Update) and implement email marketing strategies for improvement.
• Develop and package multimedia materials across the four pillars of our work. For instance: Building evidence – showcase products from our grantees as well as new evidence that is coming out of the field; Capacity strengthening – sharing new tools, methods and courses on research on VAW and VAC including our own online courses and those of our partners; Promoting partnerships – finding innovative ways to showcase new learning and findings from the SVRI Forum and SVRI Forum 2024. Influencing change – share our tools and report on new initiatives, relationships and processes that might influence more and better funding for the field in line with research priorities set by the field.
• Develop and advise on the communications strategy of specific projects, specifying appropriate communication channels, key audiences, dissemination methods and media such as print, web/online media, and social media, to effectively communicate key messages and outputs to SVRI target audiences.
• Maintain visual, branding and format consistency across all outputs and materials. This includes editing and reviewing reports, layouts, designs, blogs, podcast notes and reels, images and videos.
• Develop a monitoring and evaluation plan for all channels that links to overall SVRI MEL system to measure the effectiveness of the SVRI Communications Strategy.
• Other duties as required to ensure the successful delivery of SVRI’s strategic plan.

Required Education: Degree or advanced degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing or similar. Advanced degree or experience in VAW and/or VAC research, public health, development, social sciences or another relevant field.

Required experience: 5 (minimum) to 10 years (or more) relevant experience within the communications and/or PR fields. Good understanding of research on violence against women and violence against children. A track record of engagement globally on violence against women and violence against children, and knowledge of key stakeholders and the field. Understanding of and ability to foster a feminist approach to this work. Excellent understanding of ethical issues related to communications, storytelling and research. Excellent writing skills. Good design and presentation skills. Expertise with all social media platforms. Experience with knowledge translation including the ability to translate scientific, peer-reviewed content as well as research best practice into accessible, user-friendly products such as key highlights, fact sheets and other knowledge products, for different channels and target audiences. Excellent IT and database management skills (Word, Outlook, Excel). Experience working in a multicultural, remote team. Experience in design, video editing, web design and coordination is desirable. Knowledge of trauma-informed, survivor-centred communications.

Required Language: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of other languages is highly desirable.

Fully remote working from anywhere, with flexibility over your hours. Competitive leave, including dedicated wellbeing leave. Support for your growth, whether through training, mentoring or conference attendance. The chance to be part of a global community working to end violence against women and violence against children. Work that genuinely matters, contributing to a world free from violence against women and violence against children.

SALARY: The salary for this role ranges from ZAR 500,000 to ZAR 800,000 per annum, with the final offer determined by the candidate's experience and qualifications.