• Develop the communications strategies for target field sites, country and regional programs in coordination with field and country program offices, including aspects such as branding and targeted marketing at reserve/park-level, provincial, national and international audiences among a wide range of target groups
• Communications and stakeholder engagement including (but not limited to) national and provincial government actors, donors and partners, local civil society, and communities.
• Develop and implement monitoring metrics and evaluation systems to measure communications reach and to analyze successes/impact of specific communications campaigns.
• Develop project content to be disseminated via social media, websites, newsletters, press releases and any other distribution channels
• Assess communications capacity needs across the region and support the recruitment and onboarding of communications staff as appropriate
• identify and propose alternative communications service providers to support site or national communications, where appropriate
• Proactively identify communications opportunities to promote the regional/country/site strategy and content – including paid, earned, shared and owned (PESO) media   channels
• Increase visibility of programs on various WCS websites and social media platforms based on strategy and in accordance with donor and WCS requirements
• Contribute to business development and fundraising efforts through presentations, videos, graphics and other media products
• Support region, country and field offices in meeting and monitoring project and donor-specific communications requirements (i.e. development and/or implementation of communications plans and branding strategies, where appropriate, support graphic design and review of reports)
• Contribute to WCS internal, board, and annual reports, as well as other ad hoc communications, with content from the EAMWIO region.
• Support regional and country-level events with targeted communication plans and event-specific content
• Support strong liaison and coordination between field programs and Global Communications and Fundraising teams in NY

Qualification Requirements

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, Communications, Marketing or any related field, and at least five years’ experience developing and implementing communications strategies. A Master’s Degree will be an added advantage.
• Significant experience engaging with international, national and local media
• Demonstrated experience engaging a diversity of target audiences using a broad range of contemporary media and tools across the PESO model
• Understanding of the tools that can be used to track and measure the success of communications
• Proven experience working in Africa
• Demonstrated experience, creativity and flexibility in operating effectively and sensitively in different socio-cultural environments
• Ability to work and write professionally and fluently in English; sensitivity to local languages – especially in the development of communication materials. Portuguese and/or French language skills will be an added advantage
• Skills in graphic design, communication product development are an added advantage
• Ability to work effectively in a large multi-cultural team
• Willingness and ability to travel to remote locations in East Africa, Madagascar and the West Indian Ocean Region
• Interest in wildlife conservation and environmental issues