Program Director:

Public Sector Communications

Location:

Amman, Jordan

Reporting Manager:

MENA Regional Director

Start date:

ASAP

Duration:

1 year

Type:

Fixed Term Consultancy

Remuneration:

$4,500 – $5,600 per month, depending on level of experience and qualifications, plus benefits.

Application Deadline:

20 November 2024 – Rolling Recruitment

Work Permissions:

Must have legal permission to work in Jordan

MAGENTA is a leading Social and Behavioural Change (SBC) agency that specialises in understanding human decision-making processes to design communications solutions for positive change in fragile and development settings. We implement programmes across the Middle East, Asia and Latin America, using the latest in behavioural science principles and a rigorous approach to research, strategy, campaign design and implementation.

Our client base includes UN agencies, INGOs, governments and the private sector. We aim to amplify the voices of local actors while bringing international expertise and methodological rigour. To do so, we partner with civil society, creative agencies, media, and academics to design innovative, relevant, and impactful solutions to some of the most challenging problems of our time. Whether we are aiming to shift parenting practices to improve children’s outcomes or to understand how social norms underpin corruption, we always go the extra mile to ensure we can create positive impact for some of the most underserved populations in the world.

MAGENTA’s team operates across the globe, with offices in Jordan, Iraq, Tunisia, Mali, Mexico and Pakistan and operates on a range of projects that include research, strategy development, SBC intervention implementation, and evaluation.

Objective

The Public Sector Communications Program Director will be responsible for the relationship management and strategic guidance of day-to-day operations for a project to support effective government communications. The Program Director will ensure that all outputs and activities of the project are delivered to a high quality and in full compliance with all requirements.

Activities

Key project activities are cantered around three main activities: capacity building through trainings and strategy coordination, network building through public events and advocacy, and examining and promoting gender equity in the communications sector in Jordan. The Public Sector Communications Programme Director will also drive forward these project components as well as outputs related to supporting in the development of communications strategies, evaluating and improving workplace policies, and empowering women in the communications sector.

Key Responsibilities

1. Stakeholder Engagement

Key Stakeholders

• Develop and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders and focal points, utilizing excellent communication skills to keep stakeholders engaged, supportive, and informed, identifying and mitigating risk.
• Serve as the primary programme focal point for project stakeholders and clients as an expert on the status and way forward with all project activities, including leading regular programme update calls with government stakeholders and the client
• Work closely with key stakeholders to drive forward project activities to a high quality; including hosting joint logistics, planning sessions, facillitating permissions and approvals, sending appropriate and timely communications, ensuring availability of venues, and coordinating technical details as needed.
• Lead on outreach to and engagement with additional stakeholders across Jordan to ensure programmatic linkages where relevant, especially on gender programming;
• Maintain a high level of professionalism, respect, and commitment to quality programming in all stakeholder interactions.

Technical Experts

• Support the selection, scheduling, and contracting of trainers, ensuring all trainings are well resourced, extremely organized, and occur according to schedule;
• Quality assure that all training material and delivery is high quality

Vendors

• Oversee and direct close monitoring private sector vendors to ensure compliance, timeliness, and quality of delivery
• Ensure implementation MAGENTA’s vendor monitoring processes, effectively engaging with the vendor to ensure all necessary documentation is provided and following up to ensure completeness and accuracy.

1. Program Direction

Strategically direct the project team, directly contributing to the technical and operational success of the program:

1. Operational:

• Maintain a clear picture and plan for all project activities and all team member contributions to ensure all project activities are implemented in accordance with the project timeline, to satisfaction of key stakeholders and clients, and in support of achieving project outcomes and intended impact.
• Ensure the financial health of the project by understanding the details of the project budget, maintaining accurate financial records, and detailed cost tracking of human and material resources.
• Direct the program’s M&E function, ensuring all necessary data (pre- post-, attendance lists, satisfaction surveys etc.) is collected to monitor and evaluate program activities effectively, contributing insights and improvements to the project throughout the lifecycle.
• Oversee the development of project quarterly reports, including indicator tracking, project narrative, challenges, success stories etc. Support this effort by maintaining detailed notes, regularly drafting detailed project update emails.
• Create, maintain, and utilize program specific management tools including detailed workplans, resource plans, risk identification, escalation, and mitigation systems, and budgets, following all MAGENTA Program Management policies and procedures;
• Oversee procurement and contracting of STTA and POs as needed, transparent and thorough record keeping and project documentation.
• Ensure all project tasks and activities (including reporting, expenditures, recruitment, procurement, etc.) comply with all relevant grants’ rules and regulations;

Technical:

• Co-facilitate the development of a cross departmental communications strategy
• Lead on implementing successful networking events, including development of a women in communications network;
• Prepare client presentations and updates;
• Provides regular and quality insights into the context in Jordan;
• Additional ad hoc tasks as agreed upon with the MENA Regional Director

REQUIREMENTS

1. Education:

• Relevant degree from a top tier university required; Masters preferred

1. Experience:

• 8-12 years professional experience in project management and stakeholder management with significant knowledge of the communications sector; experience with gender equity programming an asset;
• Substantial knowledge/experience working with government stakeholders in Jordan and USG programs/funding; experience managing grants an asset;
• Demonstrated technical and financial project management success with strong organizational and communications skills and a commitment to transparency, compliance, and achieving project objectives;
• Fluency in Jordanian Arabic required; Excellent written and spoken English; Ability to communicate confidently in formal Arabic an asset;
• Ability to work effectively, respectfully and successfully with governments, clients, partners and other stakeholders in complex settings;
• Technological and software fluency, including Office 365 and MS Teams. Fluency in Business Central and PowerBI software a plus.

Cultural Fit

• Demonstrated adherence to MAGENTA’s core values:

Curiosity: Challenge the obvious, reflect and then act.

Transparency: Hold yourself and those around you accountable

Authenticity: Walk the talk

Innovation: Think bold, think big, think broad

• Willingness to live, work and travel in developing/post-crisis settings;
• Good sense of humour, personable and demonstrated ability to build networks;
• Entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to get hands dirty;

COMPETENCIES

The following are key competencies required for this position.

• Strengthens stakeholder relations by identifying their needs, communicating openly, and building rapport.
• Manages tasks and responsibilities in a tactical and result oriented manner.
• Creates a positive and productive atmosphere for optimal working conditions

WORKING CONDITIONS

• MAGENTA is based in an in-person office in Amman, and has a flexible working policy which promotes periods of remote working in the year
• This role requires regular visits to the Prime Ministry and other stakeholder offices

1. MAGENTA is committed to creating a diverse work environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or age.