The DRC WASH Consortium, led by Concern Worldwide, seeks a Communications, Learning and Advocacy Coordinator, based in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Communications, Learning and Advocacy Coordinator is a key strategic position within the Consortium Coordination Unit (CCU) which coordinates between the 5 INGOs of the Consortium and the external WASH sector.

This is an exciting time to join the DRC WASH Consortium, a £24m rural WASH programme of 5 INGOs funded from 2013-2018 by DFID. In addition to directly developing rural WASH services for over 500,000 people, the Consortium has a strong focus on influencing the wider WASH sector and promoting sector learning. The Consortium’s communication, learning and advocacy activities include: organising biannual WASH sector learning events which now attract up to 100 participants each time; leading advocacy by NGOs on the new Water Law; starting to formalise a learning partnership with the national rural WASH programme; developing tools and guides for Consortium members which have been widely shared with the WASH sector; and beginning to develop learning initiatives and networks at provincial level. The Communications, Learning and Advocacy Coordinator therefore develops and operationalizes: internal communications, knowledge management and learning tools; effective communications and coordination approaches with government partners and other stakeholders; and a strategy for external advocacy and influencing the WASH sector.

Full details are below. Note that this is an accompanied position based in Kinshasa. Applications should be made via the Concern Worldwide website by 23 March 2016: jobs.concern.net/VacancyDetail.aspx?VacancyUID=000000002554

Job Purpose:
To ensure the dissemination, appropriation and use of knowledge and learning by the three key target groups of the DRC WASH Consortium: the staff members and partners of the Consortium; the DRC and international WASH sector; and the communities and their members who are participating in the Consortium programme.

The DRC WASH Consortium is a £24m rural WASH programme led by Concern Worldwide, with ACTED, ACF, CRS and Solidarités International as members, and funded from 2013-2018 by the UK government through DFID. In addition to developing WASH services in rural areas (for over 500,000 people in 500 communities) the Consortium has a strong focus on influencing the wider WASH sector and promoting sector learning. The Consortium’s communication, learning and advocacy activities include: organising biannual WASH sector learning events which now attract up to 100 participants each time; leading advocacy by NGOs on the new Water Law; starting to formalise a learning partnership with the national rural WASH programme; developing tools and guides for Consortium members which have been widely shared with the WASH sector; beginning to develop learning initiatives at provincial level and developing advocacy and communications materials for internal and external audiences.

The Communications, Learning and Advocacy Coordinator is therefore a key strategic position within the Consortium Coordination Unit (CCU) of the DRC WASH Consortium, which coordinates between the 5 INGOs of the Consortium and the external WASH sector. The Communications, Learning and Advocacy Coordinator develops and operationalizes: internal communications, knowledge management and learning tools; effective communications and coordination approaches with government partners and other stakeholders; and a strategy for external advocacy and influencing the WASH sector. The role also contributes to developing tools for WASH knowledge management and learning at community level.

Key duties and responsibilities
Internal communication and knowledge management for Consortium members
• Ensure the use of an effective information and knowledge management system which enables timely and clear communication on Consortium issues and developments within the WASH sector both internally and externally.
• Provide support and training on communication, knowledge management, learning and advocacy to Consortium member agency focal points.
• Ensure that an information resource centre is available within the Consortium Coordination Unit for Consortium and WASH related issues.
• Ensure that the database and mapping activities are updated and communicated to relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure adherence to the branding and visibility strategy of the Consortium in all communications, learning and advocacy initiatives by Consortium member agencies.

Coordination with government partners and other stakeholders
• Together with the Consortium Director, act as a focal point for the Consortium for external stakeholders in relation to coordination, policy and advocacy issues and for general communication and information sharing.
• Ensure the development and implementation of an effective strategy for Consortium member agencies on how to interact with local and provincial authorities for coordination and implementation.
• Ensure the coherence among member agencies when they communicate externally on Consortium-related activities, principles and values.
• Support and coordinate the establishment of an effective reporting and knowledge management system between the member agencies and collaborating partners in order to ensure good knowledge sharing and learning between the Consortium and Governmental authorities.
• Produce programme-related information for external dissemination such as fact sheets, leaflets and power point presentations.
• Promote the Consortium as a knowledge exchange and learning platform for DRC WASH stakeholders, including management of the Consortium website and leading on biannual external sector learning events for up to 100 people to promote sector debate, knowledge-sharing and learning.

External communications, advocacy and influencing the WASH sector
• Lead in the development and implementation of an advocacy and influencing strategy for the DRC WASH Consortium at national and international level and support the members in adapting advocacy actions at provincial and field level.
• Develop appropriate partnerships for the implementation of the advocacy and influencing strategy and explore common advocacy initiatives with main external WASH stakeholders.
• Coordinate specific advocacy and influencing initiatives based on the Consortium’s research and learning in line with the advocacy and influencing strategy e.g. workshops, press conferences, radio debates, and other events.
• Develop communications products designed to disseminate learning and profile the achievements of the Consortium.
• Develop specific products as necessary for the implementation of the advocacy and influencing strategy e.g. development of briefing papers on key WASH issues (in conjunction with the Deputy Director); production of documentaries. Provide support and training to Consortium member agency focal points on advocacy and influencing approaches.
• Proactively monitor developments at national, regional and international levels in relation to legal, political, policy and practice developments that impact on the objectives of Consortium programme.

External communication, knowledge-sharing and learning for communities
• In coordination with the Deputy Director and other staff as required, support the development of knowledge management tools and approaches for community levels (e.g. catalogue of Small Important Doable Actions / “Petites Actions Faisables Importantes”, WASH expertise directory; catalogue of WASH services; inter-village visits etc).


PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL
• Masters in Communication, Development, or a related field
• Experience in planning and delivering communication, learning, advocacy and knowledge management on development and/or humanitarian issues.
• Fluency in French and English
• Proven leadership in coordination of multi-stakeholder projects, including the ability to collaborate effectively with all stakeholders, internally and externally, across different locations
• Strong capacity of networking and high level representation (political and institutional)
• Ability to develop influencing strategies
• Excellent analytical skills and the ability to communicate complicated issues
• Excellent writing and presentation skills
• Proven ability to work independently
• Excellent interpersonal and team-working skills, flexibility, and reliability
• Excellent time management skills and the ability to work under pressure
• Willingness to travel to programme locations as required

DESIRABLE
• Knowledge, experience and expertise on WASH issues or community mobilisation.
• Strong understanding of the context of the DRC and debates relating to development and humanitarian relief and the roles of NGOs, governments and international institutions.
• Experience of producing accessible communications and advocacy materials for a range of audiences.
• Experience managing consultants.