Program Manager:

Public Sector Communications

Location:	Amman, Jordan
Reporting Manager:	MENA Regional Director
Start date:	ASAP
Duration:	1 year
Type:	Fixed Term Consultancy
Remuneration:	$3,300 – $3,800 per month, depending on level of experience and qualifications, plus benefits.
Application Deadline:	12 September 2024 – Rolling Recruitment
Work Permissions:	Must have legal permission to work in Jordan

MAGENTA is a leading Social and Behavioural Change (SBC) agency that specialises in understanding human decision-making processes to design communications solutions for positive change in fragile and development settings. We implement programmes across the Middle East, Asia and Latin America, using the latest in behavioural science principles and a rigorous approach to research, strategy, campaign design and implementation. 

Our client base includes UN agencies, INGOs, governments and the private sector. We aim to amplify the voices of local actors while bringing international expertise and methodological rigour. To do so, we partner with civil society, creative agencies, media, and academics to design innovative, relevant, and impactful solutions to some of the most challenging problems of our time. Whether we are aiming to shift parenting practices to improve children’s outcomes or to understand how social norms underpin corruption, we always go the extra mile to ensure we can create positive impact for some of the most underserved populations in the world. 

MAGENTA’s team operates across the globe, with offices in Jordan, Iraq, Tunisia, Mali, Mexico and Pakistan and operates on a range of projects that include research, strategy development, SBC intervention implementation, and evaluation. 

This role will be the project manager for the final year of an ongoing project strengthening government communications capacity.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Public Sector Communications Programme Manager will report to the Team Lead and MENA Regional Director and will be responsible for the day-to-day operational management of a project to support effective government communications, ensuring the grant is delivered to a high quality and in full compliance of all requirements.

Key project activities include coordinating across departments to plan, manage logistics, and monitor and evaluate high-quality communications trainings, managing procurement and vendors, and coordinating events for Jordanian communications stakeholders. The Public Sector Communications Programme Manage will also drive forward project components related to supporting in the development of communications strategies, evaluating and improving policies, and empowering women in the communications sector.

This role requires excellent project management and organizational skills, as well as strong capacity for relationship building and stakeholder management. As part of the programme management team, the Public Sector Communications Programme Manager will work closely with the Programme Director, Senior Programme Manager, the Strategic Communications Expert, the operations team, the technical training team.

Typical tasks include:  

Programme Management

Managing the programme effectively for the remaining life of project through close-out, including both technical and operational aspects:

Operational:

Lead on day-to-day coordination of the project with the project team and government stakeholders, ensuring all project activities are implemented to a high quality in support of achieving project outcomes and intended impact;

Lead oversight programme’s M&E function, ensuring all necessary data (pre- post-, attendance lists, satisfaction surveys etc.) is collected to monitor and evaluate programme activities effectively, contributing insights and improvements to the project throughout the lifecycle.

Lead on the development of project quarterly reports, including indicator tracking, project narrative, challenges, success stories etc. Support this effort by maintaining detailed notes, regularly drafting detailed project update emails, and contributing to monthly project reporting.

Coordinate and guide the contributions of the Operations Manager, Finance and Admin officer, and project intern to the programme

Develop, Maintain, and utilise programme specific management tools including detailed workplans, resource plans, risk identification, escalation, and mitigation systems, and budgets, following all MAGENTA Programme Management policies and procedures;

Manage project administrative and procurement tasks, including overseeing procurement and contracting of STTA and POs as needed, transparent and thorough record keeping and project documentation, and

Contribute to the financial health of the project by understanding the details of the project budget, maintaining accurate financial records, and detailed cost tracking of human and material resources.

Maintain detailed meeting notes, draft detailed project update emails, and lea monthly programmatic reports culminating in quarterly reporting;

Ensure all project tasks and activities (including recruitment, procurement, etc.) comply with all relevant grants’ rules and regulations;

Technical:

Co-facilitate the development of a cross departmental communications strategy

Lead on organisation of regular networking events, including set up of women in communications network;

Prepare client presentations and updates;

Provides regular and quality insights into the context in Jordan;

Stakeholder Engagement

Key Stakeholders

Serve at the primarily technical and programme focal point for project stakeholders and clients as an expert on the status and way forward with all project activities, including leading regular programme update calls with government stakeholders and the client

Lead stakeholder management with key focal points, maintain responsibility for day-to-day coordination with stakeholders during the life of the project; including hosting joint logistics, planning sessions, coordinating permissions and approvals, sending appropriate and timely communications, ensuring availability of venues, and coordinating technical details as needed.

Lead on outreach to and engagement with additional stakeholders across Jordan to ensure programmatic linkages where relevant, especially on gender programming;

Maintain a high level of professionalism, respect, and commitment to quality programming in all stakeholder interactions.

Technical Experts

Support the selection, scheduling, and contracting of trainers, ensuring all trainings are well resourced, extremely organized, and occur according to schedule;

Coordinate with the Programme Director and Strategic Communications Expert to ensure all training material and delivery is high quality

Vendors

Closely manage private sector vendors to ensure compliance, timeliness, and quality of delivery

Implement MAGENTA’s vendor monitoring processes, effectively engaging with the vendor to ensure all necessary documentation is provided and following up to ensure completeness and accuracy.

Additional ad hoc tasks as agreed upon with the Team Lead/MENA Director

REQUIREMENTS

Education:

Relevant degree from a top tier university required; Masters preferred

Experience:

6-10 years professional experience

Substantial knowledge/experience working with government stakeholders and USG programs/funding.

Ability to work effectively, respectfully and successfully with governments, clients, partners and other stakeholders in complex settings;

Excellent written and spoken English; Fluency in Arabic required; Ability to communicate confidently in formal Arabic an asset

Technological and software fluency, including Office 365 and MS Teams. Fluency in Business Central and PowerBI software a plus.

COMPETENCIES

The following are key competencies required for this position.

Manages tasks and responsibilities in a tactical and result oriented manner.

Manages team engagement and creates a positive and productive atmosphere.

Strengthens stakeholder relations by identifying their needs, communicating openly, and building rapport.

Cultural Fit

Demonstrated adherence to MAGENTA’s core values:

Curiosity: Challenge the obvious, reflect and then act.

Transparency: Hold yourself and those around you accountable

Authenticity: Walk the talk

Innovation: Think bold, think big, think broad

Willingness to live, work and travel in developing/post-crisis settings;

Good sense of humour, personable and demonstrated ability to build networks;

Entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to get hands dirty;

WORKING CONDITIONS

MAGENTA is based in an in-person office in Amman, and has a flexible working policy which promotes periods of remote working in the year

This role requires regular visits to the Prime Ministry and other stakeholder offices

MAGENTA is committed to creating a diverse work environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or age.

INSTRUCTIONS

Apply before 12 September 2024. Applicants should submit a two-page CV and letter of motivation here. The letter of motivation should describe why you want to join the MAGENTA team for this position, with a specific example of how your experience and skills can contribute to this role.

Government Communication Manager