Role: WMC Communications Consultant

Timing: Initially until end of March 2025with potential for extension (expected to be up to 35 days in this time period, but open to discussion)

Reporting to: WMC Senior Strategic Adviser, with monthly updates also shared directly with the WMC Steering Committee and, as needed, with the WMC Members.

Location: Remote / Online

Salary: TBD

Deadline: 21 Sep 2024

Note: applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis from the 16th September

Background

The Women Mediators Across the Commonwealth Network (WMC) is an independent network of diverse expert women mediators, from all Commonwealth regions. It seeks to increase the participation of women in all spaces of mediation, and enables this through members’ deployment support as well as wider advocacy and the communication of best practice on how to increase inclusion in peace processes. Originally set up in 2018 with funding from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the network is governed by a member-led Steering Committee.

The WMC is part of the Global Alliance of Regional Women Mediator Networks, launched in September 2019. By working together as a Global Alliance, the networks have increased their advocacy power, aggregating their voices to be more influential than the sum of their individual parts

The WMC is currently hosted by Conciliation Resources (CR), who provide operational and strategic support to the network. CR is an international organisation committed to stopping violent conflict and creating more peaceful societies.

Purpose of the consultancy

The WMC Communications Consultant will be responsible for developing the WMC’s external communications strategy and supporting on its implementation. This work comes at a critical time in the network’s trajectory; over five years since the network was founded, the network seeks to ensure its long-term sustainability, including diversifying its funding base. As an independent network, the network has positive relationships with key stakeholders, but growing and deepening these relationships will be critical to meet the network’s advocacy goals, to support women’s participation.

The Communications Consultant will report to the Senior Strategic Adviser, and ensure the WMC Steering Committee are kept informed of updates and are able to input into communications related decisions. The Consultant will engage the wider membership as required, to share and shape messaging, and will communicate on behalf of the network as appropriate. This role would suit someone who is well versed and experienced in the Women, Peace and Security and mediation policy spaces, and understands the different audiences for communications that the WMC has.

The role will require adaptive working and regular communications with the network’s Steering Committee and members. This would suit someone who works independently but also understands the benefit of and is open to collaborative processes. The ideal candidate will bring their communications expertise to provide strategic direction and guidance, and will use their expertise and networks to see the effective implementation of the agreed strategy.

The role is a fixed-term consultancy, with the potential for longer-term work. This role will be initially contracted by Conciliation Resources on a consultancy basis to support the network.

Key requirements

● Proven experience of strategic communications- working creatively to inform/influence policy outcomes
● At least five years’ experience of leading strategic communications campaigns
● Ability to present complex and difficult messages clearly and with impact, and experience of adapting messages for unique audiences to ensure maximum clarity.
● Experience writing and developing communications strategies and overseeing their implementation
● Experience writing impactful communications materials that are targeted towards diverse ‘high level’ audiences and seek to have policy impact
● Understanding and interest in women, peace and security, and women’s participation in peace processes
● Understanding of the policy environment, including experience engaging policy makers in national government and multilateral institutions
● Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and ability to communicate to individuals from diverse background and perspectives
● Experience embedding inputs and consulting with diverse groups to enhance strategies and plans
● Organisational skills, including developing communications workplans and overseeing their implementation
● Strong commitment to gender equality
● Appreciation of issues of confidentiality, and cross-cultural and political sensitivity.
● Initiative, enthusiasm and a problem-solving approach to new challenges.