Communications & Marketing Strategy Expert

Department: Strategy

Location: Africa

Description

Allied Talent Partners is a talent marketplace, connecting experienced professionals with climate-related projects and businesses in Africa.

The client is a philanthropic organization dedicated to addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development in Africa. They collaborate with governments, civil society, and the private sector to implement innovative solutions that foster low-carbon growth and climate resilience. By providing grants and advisory services, the client empowers vulnerable communities and influences policy through strategic priorities that include energy transitions, climate finance, and advocating for equitable reforms, ensuring a sustainable and inclusive future for the continent.

The client is seeking a Communications and Marketing Expert who can work with one of its implementing partner organisations to lead that organisation's narrative and messaging strategy, while guiding its effective implementation across traditional and digital media. The purpose of the assignment is to build a wide base of understanding of and support for the Just Energy Transition in South Africa specifically for the implementation of the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET IP).

Role And Responsibilities

Role: Communications and Marketing Expert

Direct Report TBC

Candidates required 1

Deliverables

• Stakeholders analysis that will inform the communications strategy
• Compelling communication strategy and narrative
• Develop and match specific messaging and platforms for different stakeholders
• Use evidence to support the validity of the recommended narrative and messages
• Develop methodology that can enable performance assessment of the communicated narrative/message
• Use technology-enabled mechanisms to track narrative performance Develop communications materials as needed (posts, talking points, speeches, blogs, visual branding, presentations, news briefs, etc.)
• Recommend speaking opportunities, produce events and products, toolkits and training required to drive the narrative

Requirements

Experience required

• Leadership in national-scale campaign narrative development and execution
• Expertise in narrative development and experience developing sophisticated communications strategies, especially for high-level public interventions
• Knowledge and understanding of various narratives and messaging from South Africa's Presidency office
• Understanding of the climate mitigation and JET IP implementation context in South Africa
• Experience in drafting compelling communications that can have traction with the general public and specifically targeted groups

Technical Requirements

• Proven experience in narrative development, communications and senior advocacy
• Strong skills in workshop facilitation and presentation skills
• Proven experience in designing and managing both social media and mainstream communications campaigns
• Ability to draw insights from engagement with various stakeholders (i.e. government officers, policy makers, business, climate activists, trade unions, etc)

Soft Skills

• Overall consulting tool kit and ability to independently drive a project Ability to engage with very senior management team, quickly ramp based on strategic direction, while completing all aspects of project execution
• Strong collaboration and communication skills to work with diverse stakeholders (government, business leaders, etc)
• Ability to gain buy-in from stakeholders
• Proven expertise in developing and communicating messaging that can influence policymakers
• Excellent presentation skills and ability to address diverse groups

Working Arrangement

• Location Johannesburg (50% remote, 50% in office with the team)
• Understanding of South African political context to inform messaging and strategy building
• Required start date January 2025
• Contracting period 4-6 months
• Budget TBC