We are searching for an experienced Communications Officer at our Cotabato City Program. 

Child Protection: Level 2
The responsibilities of the project employees will involve contact and working with children or young people.

About the Education Pathways to Peace in Mindanao (Pathways) Program
Education Pathways to Peace in Mindanao (Pathways) is supported by the Australian Government in partnership with the Government of the Philippines to provide quality inclusive Kindergarten to Grade 3 education for all children across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Operating since 2017, Pathways is a AUD80 million program that focuses on early years education as the foundation for life-long learning and development. By engaging and collaborating with a wide range of education stakeholders, promoting peace in education reform, and addressing inequity and disparity in education delivery, the program also contributes to peacebuilding in the region.

Delivered through the Bangsamoro Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE), activities are directed towards strengthening education policies and institutions, ensuring accessible and inclusive education for all children, providing an integrated education system and curriculum, and improving teacher quality and development.

Pathways will end in 2026 and has moved into its final, extension phase. Focus has therefore moved to consolidating existing programming and working closely with the MBHTE and broader program stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of key initiatives beyond the life of the program.

Pathways is implemented by Palladium on behalf of the Australian Government. Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value.  We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 3,000 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies and, most importantly, people's lives.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities: 

The Communications Officer will be supporting the Communications Manager in planning, designing, and managing implementation of the Education Pathways to Peace in Mindanao (Pathways) Program Communications and Engagement Strategy to generate public support for long-term education reforms in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Moreover, the Communications Officer will be responsible in administrative tasks to ensure smooth workflow and file management.

As a cross-cutting designation, the role works in close collaboration with the Program, Operations and Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Research and Learning (MEARL) teams, communication focal points of partner organisations, Palladium HQ, government officials, international and local media, subject matter experts, donors and civil society.

1.  Support the Pathways Communications Manager in delivering the Communications and Engagement Strategy and implementation plan.

2. Support coordination of assets for program libraries and online portal – templates, key messages, guidance, videos, photos, publications and research. 

3.  Support program stakeholder consultations and events, and Communications and Engagement Community of Practice meetings.

4.  Support in managing the program calendars with technical advisers, program specialists, stakeholder contacts database, merchandise list, suppliers list and media monitoring tracker.

5.  Administration of communications assets – camera and sound equipment, merchandise, and signage and banners. 

6.  Support communications and engagement training with internal staff, implementing partners and government entities.

7. Lead the development of program impact stories and content, specifically obtaining consent, taking photos/audio/video, and conducting interviews;

  8. Support implementing partners with their communications plans, development of content, brand application, and ensure that these are used/repurposed for communicating program outcomes.

  9. Write, edit, and distribute various types of multi-media content such as press releases, impact stories, etc., including materials for print, broadcast, and online such as the web and social media, and other types of content for both internal and external audiences;

10. Ensure that digital files are properly organised, catalogued, and renamed in the repositories.

11. Basic desktop publishing and design of publications, social media campaigns, banners, and signage using online and offline-based applications while ensuring brand is visible and applied correctly.

12.  Contribute to program reporting and the sharing of program results, including a periodic review and evaluation of communication efforts; and

  13.  Other duties as required by the Communications Manager consistent with the incumbent’s qualifications and experience.

The Communications Officer should possess the following qualifications, experience, skills and competencies:
1.  Degree in education, development communications, journalism or relevant discipline;
2.  Strong professional experience in a communications role with government or a donor organisation in the Philippines;
3.  Able to think creatively, strategically, and engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders;
4.  Ability to work productively with a diverse team to achieve outstanding results;
5.  Evidence of capability to design and produce high quality communications for a range of purposes and audiences;
6.  Capability to employ a range of media platforms including web-based and social media communications channels to maximise reach;
7.  Understanding of the socio/political context of the BARMM;
8.  Excellent written and verbal communication, liaison and interpersonal skills;
9.  Familiarity with Australian Government-funded programs preferred.

Application Closes on 24 November 2024

Our company provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.