Page 1 of 4 Last updated 12/04/2013

Job Description

Communications Officer

Working hours: Full-time (37.5 hours per week)

Option for more experienced person to work 30 hours per week

Reporting to: Communications Manager

Purpose of Role:

To support the implementation of Excellent Development’s communications strategy.

To support income growth by supporting Individual & Community Giving (I&CG) with Digital Fundraising.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

1. Strategic Communications 2. Marketing Communications 3. Digital Strategy

Excellent.org.uk

SandDams.com

Digital Asset Database

E-mail Marketing

Digital Fundraising

Social Media

On-line Presence 4. Awards 5. Media Appeals 6. Brand Management 7. External/Off-line Media Presence 8. General Management

Strategic Communications:

To support implementation of specific elements of Excellent’s strategic communications strategy e.g. SandDams.com, conferences etc.

Support the management of strategic communications conferences and exhibitions we attend – including setting purposes and objectives, pre-planning, briefings, logistics, presentations, posters, exhibitions stands and collaterals, conference roles and responsibilities; metrics and data tracking and post conference evaluation and actions close outs.

Support the design and delivery of strategic communications documentation and films

Marketing Communications:

To support the implementation of Excellent’s marketing communications strategy

Support the implementation of key messages defined in Communications Strategy across all functions and media including development of all organisational documentation.

Own the liaison with our overseas project partners to ensure the delivery of our communications and fundraising needs e.g. films, case studies, photos etc.

Page 2 of 4 Last updated 12/04/2013

Support overseas partners in website and collaterals development

Support fundraising talks, conferences and exhibitions we attend (e.g. Rotary) – including presentations, posters, exhibitions stands and collaterals.

Provide support to other staff for the development and brand compliance of function specific documentation (e.g. Individuals bi-annual newsletter, Digital and hard-copy appeals, Fundraising reports, etc.)

Keep abreast of (and appropriately communicate to the team) information and developments relevant to our vision, strategy and objectives.

3. Digital Strategy:

www.excellent.org.uk Website:

Support the maintenance of core content. to the site

Co-ordinate content generation for the website with the fundraising and programmes teams e.g. news stories, case studies etc.

Manage and optimise SEO activities for the website and track web traffic against targets using Google Analytics

www.SandDams.com Website:

Implement and maintain core content.

Co-ordinate content generation for the website with the research and programmes teams e.g. news stories, case studies, films, research etc.

Manage and optimise SEO activities for the website and track web traffic against targets using Google Analytics

Digital Asset Database:

Support the implementation of an image database to meet needs of Communications, Fundraising and Programmes teams.

Email Marketing:

Support production of, regular, legally compliant email newsletters and notices to target audiences.

Digital Fundraising

Support I&CG with the development of digital fundraising e.g. on-line advertising, text giving, Google pay-per-click etc.

Social Media

Support our Strategic & Marketing Communications social media presence (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn)

Support staff, supporters and trustees with their social media activities to our target audiences in particular whilst overseas and at conferences.

Manage a LinkedIn discussion forum to support SandDams.com

Page 3 of 4 Last updated 12/04/2013

Engage with other targeted Forums (e.g. LinkedIn [e.g. RWSN and Savory] and others [e.g. Guardian Development])

Ensure engagement with forums connected to related one-off events or conferences – whether attending or not.

Other On-line Presence

Develop and manage our presence on all non-direct fundraising websites and forums e.g. GuideStar, Charity Commission, Wikipedia, etc. etc.

4. Awards:

Support identification of financial and non-financial Awards that would help further our Vision.

Support applications in a timely manner to agreed Award targets

5. Media Appeals:

Support I&CG with prioritisation of, planning for and applications to Media Appeals

For successful applications support all communications aspects of Media Appeal implementation

6. Brand Management:

Monitor adherence to the brand for all external communications

Support ensuring that all staff are trained and supported in brand guideline implementation e.g. ensures branded templates are in place.

7. External/Off-line Media Presence:

Increase awareness of the general public through the management and development of our off-line public presence and profile.

Manage production of articles for external media presence (hard copy or digital)

8. General Management

Monitor and report on communications performance metrics and personal objectives on a monthly basis

Page 4 of 4 Last updated 12/04/2013

Person Specification Communications Officer

Technical skills,

knowledge and

experience

Essential

Experience of producing copy across all media

Experience of. Facebook.

Flare for writing concise, compelling copy

Basic/Intermediate [Officer] or Intermediate/Advanced [Manager] user of Windows operating system and Microsoft Office software including Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Project

Desirable

Experience of promoting social media e.g. Facebook, twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Wikipedia

Experience of website CMS

Experience and knowledge of Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)

Experience of producing press releases, articles, newsletters or presentations

Knowledge and understanding of international conservation and development, in particular community development, water and farming

Knowledge/Experience of communications

Experience of print and agency management

Knowledge and experience of Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat, InDesign (or similar design software).

Ability to use video cameras and edit videos

E-mail marketing experience

Use of Google Analytics or other website tracking systems

Experience of Photo database management

Personal skills and

attributes

Belief in and commitment to self-help community development and/or conservation

Passion for communications and the internet

Belief in Excellent’s philosophy and values

Excellent written and verbal communication skills Able to communicate effectively with different audiences

Attention to detail

Works effectively in a team

Willingness to complete all communications-related work.

Proactive worker who is able to develop and implement ideas

Effectively plans and prioritises own workload

Open willingness to learn and develop

Confidence