Head of Communications - REMOTE

The organization

The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data organization (ACLED) is a disaggregated data collection, analysis, and crisis mapping institution. The ACLED team collects conflict information, conducts analysis to describe, explore, and test conflict scenarios, and makes both data and analysis open for free use by the public. ACLED’s work is regularly used to inform journalism, academic research, and public discourse on conflict, and to support practitioners and policymakers. ACLED is the highest quality and most widely used real-time data and analysis source on political violence and protest around the world.

The role

ACLED is recruiting a full-time Head of Communications reporting to the Chief of External Affairs. The Head of Communications will be responsible for the following tasks:

Communication Strategy and Execution

• Advise on communication strategies and approaches;
• Support the Chief of External Affairs and Executive team to define the overarching communication and outreach strategy for ACLED and ensure its execution (including media engagement, strategic engagement, external engagement, social media, website/digital, etc.);
• Lead efforts to develop and reinforce ACLED’s external brand;
• Support the Development team with defining a bold donor communication strategy;
• External representation and engagement by representing ACLED and its interests in external events/conferences, trainings, meetings, and in print;
• Oversee the organization of external engagement activities, including but not limited to in-person events hosted and co-hosted by ACLED, and virtual webinars;
• Oversee and lead the external launches of ACLED products and activities;
  
  

Crisis Communications

• Lead on the implementation of crisis response protocols through extensive collaboration with Analysis and Global Data Collection teams;
  
  

Analytics and Reporting

• Manage analytics on outreach and data usage (e.g. Google Analytics, Twitter Analytics, and other tools such as interviews/surveys) to support communications decision-making and programs M&E and reporting;
  
  

Research and Content Development

• Collaborate on the development of a research agenda, activities outputs, calendar, and dissemination plan (which both informs and is informed by the communication and outreach strategy);
• Work with the Analysis team to implement the organization’s research strategy by highlighting analytical products that ought to be generated (e.g. analysis pieces, press releases, dashboards, etc.);
  
  

Team Management and Operations

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the Communication team as necessary;
• Manage Communication team and its staff members, defining their goals and supporting professional development;
• Represent the Communications team at the organizational meetings, including Risk Management Committee;
• Actively participate in the Strategic Planning implementation representing the needs and projects of the Communication team, ensuring prompt delivery.
  
  

Miscellaneous

• Other tasks as required.
  
  

This position is fully remote and can be done from any location with reliable internet service (GMT/CET preferred). This position reports to the Chief of External Affairs, based in CET.

This position is open to nationals of any country. For more information, please review the Applicant FAQs.

Skills and competencies

ACLED is seeking applicants who have the following skills and experience:

• 8+ years of overall professional experience in roles that include communications, outreach, external engagement or similar (required);
• Proven success in developing and executing initiatives and campaigns to strategically position and increase an organization’s profile, reputation and engagement with a diverse range of external stakeholders;
• Demonstrated ability to select, train, motivate, and inspire staff, while holding them accountable for their performance;
• Strong writing and editing skills;
• Proficiency in Communication Tools: Familiarity with communication and media tools such as Cision, Salesforce, Mailchimp, Adobe and digital analytics platforms, etc. (required);
• Proven ability to initiate, plan, execute, monitor, evaluate and close the work of a team to achieve specific goals and meet specific success criteria within a specified time (preferred);
• Experience in managing full-cycle projects; PRINCE2 or PMP certification is a plus;
• Demonstrated experience in successfully coordinating social media presence and website management;
• Experience or familiarity with non-profit organizations (required);
• Work or academic experience focused on topics related to peacebuilding, conflict, human rights, and/or global affairs (or similar) (preferred);
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written;
• Ability and confidence to present clearly and concisely to external audiences;
• Comfort working within evolving systems and processes (dynamic and flexible);
• Ability to work remotely with limited supervision;
• Excellent organization and time management skills;
• Good judgment and extremely high attention to detail;
• Master's degree in a relevant field, or commensurate experience in a leadership position in that field;
• Fluency in English (essential); fluency in other languages is a plus;
• Ability to travel as necessary (up to 15%).
  
  

Applications:

To apply, please submit a CV and cover letter detailing qualifications, experience, earliest availability, and salary requirements.

Further information on the project is available online at acleddata.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested candidates are advised to apply early.