West and North Africa Communications Officer (Francophone)

Location: Dakar, Senegal or Rabat, Morocco

The West and North Africa Communications officer will be part of the IDinsight Strategic Communications team. 

The strategic communications team has three main goals: to influence others in the social sector to be more evidence-oriented, to amplify project impact with high-quality deliverables and external communications, and to attract clients, funders, and employees to the organisation. 

We achieve these goals by undertaking communications activities such as media outreach, external events, managing the IDinsight website and IDeas blog, generating social media content, graphic design, IDinsight newsletters, and leading IDinsight’s digital strategy.

We have a global team that supports IDinsight’s campaigns and brand-building efforts. Ourregional communications officers work closely with our client-facing teammates and regional leaders to build IDinsight’s influence and presence where our offices are located. 

About IDinsight

We amplify social impact by partnering with leaders to develop tailored solutions. Our mission is to use data and evidence to help leaders combat poverty worldwide.

IDinsight is a mission-driven global advisory, data analytics, and research organization that helps global development leaders maximize their social impact. We tailor a wide range of data and evidence tools, including randomized evaluations and machine learning, to help decision-makers design effective programs and rigorously test what works to support communities. We work with governments, multilateral agencies, foundations, and innovative non-profit organizations in Asia and Africa. Our work spans a wide range of sectors, including agriculture, education, health, governance, sanitation, financial inclusion, and other areas.

We have expertise in a variety of rigorous approaches and methodologies, which we tailor to each client depending on their needs and constraints. To achieve a positive social impact we:

• Support clients’ use of data and evidence for routine and major decision-making.
• Inform funding decisions – toward high-impact initiatives and away from less effective programs or approaches.
• Create and share tools, knowledge, and ideas that expand the use of data and evidence for social good.

Our diverse, growing team of roughly 250 outstanding colleagues operate in nearly two dozen countries around the world.  Learn more about our mission and values at www.IDinsight.org.  

About the Communications Officer, West and North Africa (francophone)

IDinsight is seeking a francophone communications professional with 4+ years of experience to join our team, help amplify the impact of our work and build our influence and visibility with key audiences in West and North Africa (WNA). The Communications Officer will be based in Dakar, Senegal, or Rabat, Morocco, and will support our Regional Executive team (Regional Lead, Chief of Staff) as well as project teams in the region. The WNA Communication Officer will need to be fluent (native) in French and have a professional command of English. 

The Communications Officer, WNA will work with regional project teams as well as regional leadership on strategic communications activities to amplify project impact and influence policymakers, peer research organisations, philanthropies, NGOs and others operating in the region. The Communications Officer will be working as part of a larger Communication team including the Designer, Digital Officer, Strategic Communications Director, and potentially, consultants. The Communications Officer will report to the Strategic Communications Director with a dotted reporting line to the West and North Africa Executive Regional Director. Please note that the position title will be commensurate with the candidate's experience.

Responsibilities

1. Communications Activities:

• Drive the implementation of IDinsight’s communications and influence strategy in WNA, refining target audiences, key messages, tactics, approaches, and feedback mechanisms to measure progress toward goals. Contribute to refining IDinsight’s brand, image, and positioning in WNA, with a particular focus on Francophone WNA.  
• Handle external communications implementation, including content development in French and English-French translations. With support from the Designer and Digital Officer, produce high-quality, well-written, and visually appealing content in French to influence audiences: existing/potential clients; existing/potential employees; existing/potential funders; and peers. Content may include blogs, articles, infographics, policy briefs, videos, social media content, newsletters, press reports, methodological tools, or interactive reports.
• Ensure content promotion and diffusion, including on social media and traditional media (pitch to local and international media), .etc
• Ensure or contribute to the regular update of IDinsight presence in French including IDinsight website and similar content.

2. Project team support:

• Support regional project teams in the development and execution of external communication outputs to amplify their work: e.g. academic and grey literature outputs, posters for conferences, blog posts, .etc.  

3. External Relations

• Identify and coordinate high-impact activities to raise the organization’s visibility and influence, supporting IDinsight's presence and contribution to conferences, events, roundtables, or other initiatives aligned with the regional goals.
• Support WNA leaders at conferences and events by preparing presentations, speeches, etc.

4. Other responsibilities

• As a member of the regional team, the WNA Communication Officer will contribute to office initiatives and organizational culture.
• As a member of the communication team, the WNA Communication Officer will also contribute to refining the role of the communications team to optimize activities and achieve strategic objectives.

Qualifications

Required qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent work experience in a relevant field - including economics, econometrics, public policy, communications, or journalism. 
• Exceptional writing and editing skills in French and English with a passion for clarifying complex technical concepts, and strong storytelling skills with an ability to quickly identify a “hook” for different audiences.
• At least 4 years of communication experience working with policymakers, NGOs, think tanks, research institutions, and/or strategic consulting.
• Ability to both think strategically and to execute quickly with a bias towards “getting it done”, while keeping a keen attention to details. 
• Comfortable in a fast-paced work environment. 

Additional qualifications

• Experience working with technical experts (e.g. economists, academics, data scientists) is a plus, as well as a pre-existing network of media in the region. 
• The mastery of another language used in West or North Africa (E.g., Arabic, Wolof) is a plus.
• Individuals with a policy background and work experience with actors in evidence generation are particularly encouraged to apply.

Professional development

Skill and career development are core to IDinsight's values and long-term impact strategy, and have been noted as highlights of teammates’ experiences. IDinsighters receive significant mentorship from IDinsight leadership, and support from talented peers, and are given considerable autonomy when ready. They maintain professional development plans and are given "stretch" opportunities designed to strengthen a variety of skills. Real-time feedback is embedded in our culture and formal structure enables maximum professional growth. Additionally, teammates have access to an annual professional development stipend that they are encouraged to utilize to explore their career interests and develop their skills.

Nuts & bolts

Location

This position is based in IDinsight’s Dakar, Senegal or Rabat, Morocco office(s). This position is not eligible for remote work, or otherwise, from the United States. Preference will be given to those with pre-existing work authorization in these countries; however, IDInsight will seek work permits where possible for exceptional candidates. 

Start date

The start date of this position is flexible, with a preference for candidates that can start immediately. We expect a 2-year minimum commitment, with regular professional development conversations and the potential for a long-term career at IDinsight.

Work authorization

IDinsight is able to sponsor employment visas for all nationalities in these locations; however, we will prioritize candidates who do not require IDinsight to sponsor work authorization in the aforementioned countries. All candidates who are not currently located in our country offices listed above will be expected to relocate to their office locations at the onset of their employment. 

Compensation

Compensation and benefits are commensurate with the qualifications and experiences IDinsight is hiring for, and competitive within the global development sector. We are especially proud of the people-focused benefits we offer, including comprehensive international health insurance, including mental health coverage; paid vacation, sick, and parental leave; relocation benefits; a travel stipend; technology and work-from-home stipends; a professional development budget; and more.

Please note, as a non-profit, we are unable to provide compensation similar to leading private sector organizations. 

How to apply

Please click the "Apply for this job online" button at the top right. Applications are due 15th May 2023. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, so we encourage candidates to submit early applications. The application asks various questions in order for us to get to know you, and requires a CV and cover letter. 

Please ensure that your CV includes relevant professional and personal experience as well as details on academic qualifications. CVs can range from one to two pages. Please note, headshot photographs, parental details, birth dates, marital status, and other personal information not relevant to the application do not need to be included in your CV. Additionally, we strongly encourage you to use your cover letter to highlight why you want to work for IDinsight specifically, and what has prepared you to succeed in the role you’re applying for. A customized cover letter is an important part of IDinsight’s recruiting process as it allows us to understand your motivations for the position, relevant skills, and clarity of writing.

More information, including details on IDinsight’s hiring process and frequently asked questions, can be found online at IDinsight Careers. Any questions should be directed to careers@IDinsight.org. 

IDinsight’s commitment to reducing power asymmetries

IDinsight is committed to reducing power asymmetries in the social sector. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion reflects our understanding of the need for the sector to abandon unhealthy practices of the past. We wish to be part of a new generation of international NGOs who are honest about this history and transparent about our role in the present. Our commitment is also aligned with the impact of our work. 

We seek a workforce that is inclusive of a variety of perspectives that will help us refine and improve our methods and relationships, and strengthen the services we provide our clients and their communities or constituencies. The following commitments represent our vision for the IDinsight team:

1. IDinsight will have greater representation from the populations with whom we work and the clients we serve.
2. IDinsight will have greater representation from the countries in which we work.
3. Across all countries in which we recruit, we will seek greater representation from historically excluded communities.
4. IDinsight will foster an inclusive work culture that empowers a diverse team to do their best work.

IDinsight is committed to non-discrimination in our recruitment, employment practices, and organizational culture, regardless of people’s age, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by applicable law.