Job Title Communications and PR Manager
Reports to Position Title Director of Operations
Research Project Title The Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security
Faculty/ Department The Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security
FTE (based on 35 paid hr work week) 100%
Duration 12 months. Full-time
Date Created/Updated May 2024
About the Dallaire Institute
Lt. General Romeo Dallaire founded the Child Soldiers Initiative in 2007 and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, provided a home to the Initiative in 2010. In 2020, the Initiative became the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security, an international repository of expertise, research, and advocacy to prevent the recruitment and use of children in armed violence. The Dallaire Institute is the co-developer of the 2017 Vancouver Principles on Peacekeeping and the Prevention of the Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers. As part of Dalhousie University, the Dallaire Institute hosts a prestigious Tier 1 Canada Research Chair on International Peace, Security and Children and offers undergraduate and graduate courses. Through academic and practitioner training and community engagement, the Dallaire Institute’s interdisciplinary and applied research advances innovative strategies for preventing recruitment and use of children in armed violence. The Dallaire Institute is supported through private, public and international contributions.
To achieve this important objective, the Dallaire Institute conducts activities on four fronts:
World-class, interdisciplinary research to build and share knowledge, which in turn leads to new solutions.
High-level advocacy activities to create and promote the political will to end the use of children in violence as central to the achievement of global peace and security.
Education and programming to sustain the efforts to make the recruitment and use of children as soldiers unthinkable by inspiring leaders, educators, and policy makers to implement new approaches, conduct research, and actively share their knowledge on the prioritization of the children’s rights upfront approach.
Comprehensive, prevention-oriented training to security sector actors, in the service of broader security sector reform, as well as collaboration with civil society to create and implement tools that protect children from the dangers associated with recruitment."
Job Purpose
Reporting to the Director of Operations, the Communication and Public Relations Manager
will be responsible for developing and implementing effective communication and public relations strategies to promote the organization's mission, programs, and initiatives. This role will involve managing media relations, creating engaging content, coordinating public outreach campaigns, and enhancing the organization's overall brand and reputation.
Duties and Responsibilities
Communication Strategy
Cultivate and maintain positive relationships with media outlets and journalists.
Develop and distribute press releases, media kits, and other communication materials to relevant media contacts.
Act as a spoke spokesperson for the organization and coordinate media interviews and press conferences.
Content Creation
Create engaging and informative content for various channels, including the organization's website, social media platforms, newsletters, and publications.
Create and edit press releases, articles, blog posts, and other communication materials.
Develop multimedia content such as videos, infographics, and presentations to enhance the organization's storytelling efforts.
Public Outreach
Coordinate and implement public outreach campaigns to raise awareness of the organization's mission and initiatives.
Collaborate with internal teams to identify target audiences and develop tailored communication strategies.
Organize and participate in community events, conferences, and speaking engagements to promote the organization's work.
Brand Management
Ensure consistent branding and messaging across all communication channels.
Develop and maintain brand guidelines to guide the organization's visual identity and tone of voice.
Monitor and manage the organization's online presence and reputation, including social media channels and review platforms.
Stakeholder Engagement
Engage and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders, including partners, donors, government agencies, and community organizations.
Support the development of partnerships and collaborations to expand the organization's reach and impact.
Liaise with internal teams to gather information and stories that highlight the organization's achievements and impact.
All staff are additionally responsible to:
Proactively participate in planning and performance processes as outlined in the Employee Handbook including annual appraisals, regular meetings, and ensuring that annual reviews are an integral component of work plans and priorities.
Promote a safe and secure work environment in line with the organization’s core values including the Dallaire Institute Workplace Principles and foster strong communication between teams within the organization.
Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to promoting and protecting the rights of children, particularly the prevention of the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict.
Comply with Dallaire Institute’s financial and operational requirements and uphold high standards of honesty and integrity in personal conduct.
This job description is a general outline of responsibilities and qualifications and is not intended to be an exhaustive list. The responsibilities and duties may evolve based on the organization's needs, and additional tasks may be assigned as required.
Qualifications
Skills
Excellent written and verbal communication.
Strong storytelling and content creation abilities, with proficiency in writing for various mediums.
Strong organizational and project management.
Excellent ability to forge relationships at all levels and work across multicultural, multilingual, and multidisciplinary teams.
Adept at handling confidential information with discretion and following Institute research and other professional standards.
Knowledge
Master's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field.
Proven 5-7 years of experience in communication, public relations, or a similar role, holding a leadership role in these areas.
Experience in media relations, including building and maintaining media contacts and managing press events.
Minimum 3 years of experience with digital marketing and social media management.
Abilities
To tailor messages to different audiences and platforms.
Creative mindset and ability to think strategically and innovatively.
Handle multiple tasks and deadlines.
Assets
Additional relevant certifications or training in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field.
Knowledge and understanding of issues related to children's rights, peace, and security.
Additional language skills, particularly French.
International work experience in complex environments, preferably in conflict-affected regions
Experience working in Sub-Saharan Africa or other fragile contexts.
Experience with non-profit organizations, and academic or government institutions.
Working conditions
Hybrid role: The successful applicant will be eligible for hybrid work (combination of in-person work on-site and remote work) as agreed by all parties based on operational requirements and Institute guidelines.
The position is based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with the need for travelling up to 25% of the time.
Supervisory/managerial
The position is at the managerial level and will lead a functional area as well as a team, in a hierarchical and matrix relationship. The occupant will guide and advise the Executive team regarding any communications and Public Relationship issues.
“The Dallaire Institute supports a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Our total compensation package includes a voluntary RRSP, health and dental plans and an employee and family assistance program.
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
The Dallaire Institute commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The Institute encourages applications from Indigenous persons (especially Mi’kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. For more information, please visit www.dal.ca/hiringfordiversity.
To apply for this opportunity, please send your resume and cover letter to dallaireinfo@dallaireinstitute.org””