Communication Officer

Position: Communication Officer, Pakistan

Location:  Islamabad, Pakistan

Status:  Full-time; Permanent

Reports to:  Programme Director, Pakistan

Salary range:  Rs 7,660,670 - Rs 8,853,000

Deadline to apply:  2 March 2023 (please apply through our Malala Fund .org website)

I. Position Summary

The Communications Officer, Pakistan will work with the national and global team to develop and lead execution of a communications workplan to support Malala Fund’s work in Pakistan. This position will raise awareness of Malala Fund’s work to progress girls’ education in country. They will be the lead for communications related to all workstreams in country, working closely with national team members. The Officer will co-develop and implement a communications strategy for the Pakistan office to support the visibility and impact of its grant portfolio, partnerships and national advocacy initiatives. The position will write and edit external-facing content, including marketing, social media and other editorial products for Malala Fund’s work in Pakistan.

The ideal candidate is an excellent communicator and writer, highly organised and thrives in a fast-paced, detail-oriented, creative environment.

II. Responsibilities 

Strategic communications management

• Develop and implement a communications strategy (in collaboration with the wider Pakistan and global Communications teams) to promote visibility and awareness of Malala Fund Pakistan’s programmatic and advocacy impact.
• Lead public engagement opportunities for communications within Pakistan for grantees in the Education Champion Network, Malala Fund Girl Programme and country partnership projects.
• Evaluate communications opportunities in order to elevate the collective work of Malala Fund Pakistan and partners, field general media requests, and consult on communications-related questions.
• Provide inputs to the Regional Communications Manager and liaise on campaign development including traditional media, social media, digital initiatives, speaking opportunities, developing partnerships and risk mitigation.
• Develop communications systems and processes for the Pakistan office. 

Public Relations and Editorial 

• Prepare op-eds, press releases, media statements and other media outputs; help secure coverage for national programmes and advocacy campaigns.
• Support Co-Founder visits, including event branding, marketing, and other communications support required. Collaborate with Regional Communications Manager on post-event storytelling, including social media posts and impact stories for the global communications team.
• Assist the Regional Communications Manager in maintaining relationships with journalists in Pakistan to pitch Malala Fund’s work.
• Assist with assigned external facing content for Malala Fund’s newsroom and other written materials, including press releases and organizational updates.
• Supports in the development of key media resources — communications guidelines, media kits, decks, one-pagers, brochures, presentations etc.
• Coordinate with Malala Fund’s communications team to secure external content — photos, stories, quotes — from grantees that will showcase impact to donors, partners and the general public. 

Social Media

• Implement and iterate short-term media and digital plan for Malala Fund’s Pakistan office, working closely with the Pakistan Programme Director and Malala Fund Communications Team. This would include end to end social media management and consistent content strategy and calendar.
• Stay abreast of the developments in the social media landscape in Pakistan and identify opportunities for amplifying Malala Fund Pakistan’s work.

People Management

Assist with recruiting and managing a network of freelancers and external vendors including designers, translators, editors, printers, photographers, videographers etc., as needed.

Organisational Culture

• Upholds the values of Malala Fund.
• Actively contributes to making Malala Fund a diverse and equitable workplace through inclusive practice and openness to different perspectives, cultures and ideas.
• Maintains behaviour and conduct that uphold the highest standards for safeguarding, professionally and personally.
• Acts as a role model for a ‘learning organisation’ culture by seeking insight and using problems as opportunities to learn.

Essential

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Resourcefulness and ability to work independently and with excellent judgment, taking ownership of a wide range of responsibilities.
• Strong commitment to professional development and continued learning.
• Demonstrable experience of providing support in a fast-paced office environment.
• Superior organization, prioritization and project management skills with high attention to detail.
• Experience handling sensitive and confidential information with the highest level of discretion.
• Strong commitment to Malala Fund’s mission, purpose and values.
• Strong commitment to gender equality, racial justice and other social justice issues.
• Strong commitment to professional development and continued learning.
• Excellent team player with ability to work independently and in collaboration with colleagues at all levels across departments and external stakeholders.

Desirable

• Awareness of the communications landscape and sensitivities in Pakistan and experience of developing communications strategies and effective country-specific campaigns – ability to bring fresh ideas and perspective to the team.
• Fluency in English and Urdu.
• Experience of managing facilities and external vendor contracts such as designers, illustrators, photographers, videographers, journalists and media agencies.
• Knowledge of working in international development organizations in Pakistan. 

Malala Fund is committed to racial equity and social justice. We actively seek applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences and identities, to provide a wide range of perspectives, ideas, views and insights into the strategy, policies, culture and ambitions of Malala Fund. We would particularly welcome applications from candidates who have lived in countries in which Malala Fund is operating.

IV. About Malala Fund 

Registered as a public charity in the U.K. and U.S., Malala Fund is working toward a world where all girls can learn and lead. With more than 130 million girls out of school today, we're breaking down barriers that hold girls back.

Malala Fund advocates for resources and policy changes needed to give all girls a secondary education. The girls we serve have high goals for themselves and we have high expectations for leaders who can help them. We invest in local education leaders and front-line organisations — the people who best understand girls in their communities — in regions where most girls are missing out on secondary school. We give girls the tools they need to advocate for education and equality in their communities and a platform for the world to hear their voices. We believe girls should speak for themselves and tell leaders what they need to learn and achieve their potential.

V. How to Apply

Please submit your resume and cover letter by 2 March 2023.

Please note that due to the very high number of applications we receive when positions are posted, we are only able to respond directly to candidates with whom we wish to move forward in the interview process.

Please note you must have the required right to work for the location you are applying for. You will be asked to provide proof of your right to work should you be selected for interview.

Malala Fund is an inclusive organisation and welcomes applications from under-represented and intersectional groups including BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and persons with disabilities. We are seeking people from different backgrounds, cultures, age, experience and identities, to provide a wide range of experience, ideas, views and insights into the strategy, policies, culture and ambitions of Malala Fund.

Malala Fund is committed to ensuring the safety of those involved in our work. Our first priority is protecting everyone who comes in direct or indirect contact with our organisation. Malala Fund has a zero-tolerance approach to abuse and exploitation by any of our staff, representatives or partners. We commit to ensuring that those who work with Malala Fund or on our behalf are able to work in an environment that is free from harm. To this end, Malala Fund reserves the right to conduct background checks on prospective and current employees.