Communications Senior Assistant, Central America

CONTEXT 

NICARAGUA

GGGI in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit of the Government of Nicaragua is rolling technical assistance program to the Government of Nicaragua titled “Mobilizing Climate Finance and Private Investments for Low-Carbon Development in Nicaragua”. The program, funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness and Preparatory Support Program, aims to enhance the institutional capacity, strategic frameworks, and project pipeline of the Government of Nicaragua to increase the mobilization of national and international climate finance and private investments for the implementation if the nationally determined contribution (NDC) and low carbon development.

Nicaragua’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) was originally submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2018 and updated in 2020. The development of the country’s NDC followed a highly participatory and consultative process, prioritizing engagement and validation with vulnerable groups, including native, afro-descendants and indigenous communities, women and youth. The resulting NDC is a highly ambitious plan inclusive of mitigation and adaptation measures. Nicaragua relies on concessional international climate finance from development partners to finance its development and climate change objectives.

However, the achievement of Nicaragua’s NDC targets requires a substantial increase in the volume of public and private, national, and international climate finance invested in the country. The significant investment and efforts required for Nicaragua to implement its development and climate change plans risks being hampered by the impact of the 2018 attempted coup, COVID-19 pandemic and hurricanes Eta and Iota, which hit the country, almost simultaneously, after a prolonged period of high debt-financed public infrastructure investments, weakening the country’s economic outlook, shifting priorities towards economic recovery, and reducing fiscal and policy space to pursue priority climate change initiatives. Although international climate finance offers some relief to the country´s growing debt to GDP ratio, the decreasing level of international aid and limited private sector participation in the country’s development agenda undermines the long-term sustainability of this fiscal approach. GGGI program aims to support the Government of Nicaragua’s climate finance efforts by delivering a set of complementary workstreams:

 - Workstream 1: Development of a climate finance roadmap

– Workstream 2: Accessing the green bond market to raise affordable long-term finance earmarked to priority mitigation and adaptation projects

- Workstream 3: Development of Nicaragua’s debt for climate swap strategy to free fiscal space to pursue NDC priority programs and projects

- Workstream 4: Greening Nicaragua’s banking sector.

Project Goal: The Government of Nicaragua has adequate strategic frameworks to access long-term international climate finance and promote private sector participation and investments in climate change mitigation and adaptation through enabling strategies and plans, innovative sustainable finance instruments, and increased sustainability of its banking sector.

Goal Statement: IF the Government of Nicaragua builds its institutional capacity and enabling environment for climate finance then Nicaragua will be on track to meet its NDC targets BECAUSE the development of enabling climate finance frameworks, innovative sustainable finance instruments and sustainable banking practices will promote increased flow of international finance and private investments to NDC priority actions.

The intervention’s primary beneficiaries include:

1.The Ministry of Economy and Public Credit (MHCP) and Nicaragua Central Bank (BCN): the proposed Readiness grant will strengthen the capacity and systems of the MHCP and BCN to raise affordable long-term climate finance to meet Nicaragua’s NDC targets without compromising the government’s fiscal balance. MHCP and BCN will receive capacity building and technical assistance to design, structure and implement innovative climate finance instruments, including, green bonds and debt for climate swaps.

2. The Superintendency of Banks and Other Financial Institutions (SIBOIF): the proposed Readiness grant will strengthen the capacity of the SIBOIF to develop, implement and enforce sustainable banking regulations and practices, in alignment with international sustainable banking standards and frameworks. Local financial institutions will benefit from enhanced capacity to screen and mitigate the environmental and social risk of transaction, improving their financial performance and the overall resilience of the domestic banking sector against climate change risks, while increasing the volume of credit disbursed to low-carbon, resilient projects, and vulnerable groups.

3. Climate Change Secretariat of the Presidency of Nicaragua (SCCP): the proposed Readiness further the mission of the SCCP of implementing the National Climate Change Policy by strengthening the government’s institutional capacity and systems to access long-term concessional climate finance to implement the priority climate change mitigation and adaptation measures.

EL SALVADOR

There is urgent need for identifying, demonstrating, and disseminating sustainable agricultural systems that enhance productive potential and address the interconnected drivers of poverty and climate vulnerability in El Salvador.

Opportunities to address this situation include dissemination of best practices and technical capacity building in Climate Smart Agricultural (CSA), Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR), strengthening value chain integration, availing, and training on the use of and capacity building for the use of IT technologies with application in the agriculture sector. Cooperative/associative arrangements are an effective means to build capacity and enhancing the preparedness and resilience of women and youth in the agriculture sector, providing them with decent livelihoods and improved employability in the sector.

GGGI El Salvador is the implementing partner for two Korea funded projects; “Strengthening Capacities of Women and Youth for Implementation of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) in El Salvador”, which will be implemented in El Salvador and is financed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) of the Republic of Korea; and “Korea-Mexico-Three Central American Countries Triangular Cooperation Project on Strengthening Capacities for Forest Landscape Restoration in Response to Climate Change”, which will be implemented in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador and is financed by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). GGGI also has a pipeline of climate change mitigation and adaptation opportunities to support our Member and partner governments in the region.

POSITION SUMMARY

Based in Managua or San Salvador, the Communications Senior Assistant will be responsible to assist both the Nicaragua and El Salvador country team members to position GGGI’s brand at the national, implement the Communication Strategy, boost social media channels, increase and position the partnership with media, counterparts, and donors; support the delivery of high-quality products in the implementation of the projects and accomplish efficiently with the requirements of communication of the GGGI’s Nicaragua and El Salvador Program daily work.

PURPOSE

• Ensure the implementation and update of GGGI Nicaragua/El Salvador’s Communication Strategy, to position the brand in the country and with the targeted publics.
• Coordinate the integration of dissemination plans, campaigns, communications products, or collaborations with counterparts and donors.
• Guide the planning of communication activities for the projects and schedule them with the Project Manager, staff members, counterparts, and donors.
• Ensure compliance with the global GGGI's institutional communication guidelines.
• Ensure high-quality standards in all communications deliveries to be carried out effectively and will troubleshoot when needed to support a smooth overall development of the strategic communications plan.
• Keep abreast of new approaches and tools on communications and, provide training to GGGI Nicaragua/El Salvador staff as requested.
• Lead the contact with the media, to provide more presence of GGGI in Nicaragua/El Salvador
• Supervise the communication organization of events when required.
• Support all internal and external communications of the GGGI Nicaragua/El Salvador program, particularly as it pertains to the GCF program as well as the work commitments and collaborations with national government, and public and private entities.

ENGAGEMENT

• Engage with the Nicaragua/El Salvador team under the guidance of the Project Manager for generating high-quality communication products as required, to reach deadlines in delivering communications products, especially the ones concerned with projects.
• Engage with the media to promote GGGI in Nicaragua/El Salvador
• Collaborate with the Communication and Knowledge Sharing Unit in HQ and LAC and ensure guidance is being followed.

DELIVERY

Communication products

• Responsible for writing web notes, write-ups, and press releases.
• Supervise  and write video scripts, copies, and messages of multimedia products such as infographics, postcards for social media, banners, and mailing.
• Photo and video capture and edition and ensuring its storage in SharePoint.
• Editorial editing of official documents and ensuring their timely delivery.
• Support  of PPT presentations, as well as internal communication materials.
• Support  of official merchandising products.
• Review of communications products to accomplish high-quality standards.
• Writing and integrating a quarterly newsletter.

Digital platforms

• Support the preparation and execution of social media plans and campaigns.
• Create  innovative content for social media as needed.
• Keep up to date on the ‘key dates calendar’ and design graphic pieces to mark the most relevant celebrations or commemorations.
• Schedule social media posts according to the social media content calendar.
• Assist in the coverage of live and online events by taking photographs, recording interviews, or posting content on our social media channels in coordination with the Communications Assistant.
• record the analytics of GGGI Nicaragua’s social media and other digital communication outlets.
• Seek for social media trends.

Media and events

• Promote contact with the media, expanding the network of contacts, alliances, and participation in different channels of GGGI Nicaragua/El Salvador.
• Carry out a continuous review of the media database.
• Lead the call to the media when required.
• Support  the preparation of the event's fact sheet (specifying roles, times, and requirements).
• Write up the event's press release, contact the media, and supervise the production of communication materials as required.

REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

• Undergraduate degree in Communications and Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or related fields. A master’s degree in Institutional or Social Communication, Digital Marketing or a related field is preferred.
• At least 5 years of professional experience working with national governments, international organizations, Private Sector preferably in communications areas
• Excellent computer skills with experience in Microsoft Office and active usage of various social media outlets.
• Advanced skill level with Adobe Creative Cloud tools (especially Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, and Premiere Pro).
• Experience developing communications strategies, plans, and campaigns for different channels and targeted publics.
• Excellent experience in designing posts, infographics, videos, communication materials, and others.
• A keen interest and creativity in using innovative modern technologies to deliver messages.
• Strong graphic design skills, photo recording and video production.
• Strong communication, event management, media engagement and diplomatic skills.
• Experience/knowledge of green growth and sustainable development is a plus, as well as regional relevant experience.
• ability to pay attention to details, particularly when it comes to communications pieces and following rules & guidelines.
• Excellent Spanish knowledge and good English writing and speaking skills are required.
• Ability to work well under pressure and have a flexible approach to tasks given.
• Must be a Nicaraguan or El Salvadoran citizen, and/or have a valid work permit for Nicaragua or El Salvador

FUNCTIONAL

• Able to achieve results in a quality, timely, and cost-effective way. Sees priorities, plans the efficient use of resources, and monitors progress against objectives.
• Sets high but achievable standards for self and others. Seeks opportunities to improve process and outcomes. Constantly reviews performance in identifying areas for improvement.
• Respond positively to change and able to adapt quickly to new situations. Able to take on a diverse range of tasks equally effectively.
• Able to pick up and assimilate relevant information and learn tasks in a rapid manner, responding swiftly and appropriately in fast-paced environments.
• Fast learner, quick to adapt to new environment, systems and bring immediate contribution. High literacy with systems, processes, and high level of analytical and logical thinking, high attention to detail.
• Self-initiative, motivated and team oriented, with capacity to work under pressure and with little supervision.
• Service-oriented to internal and external clients, with demonstrated abilities to find solutions, resolve problems and overcome challenges.

CORPORATE

Understand and actively supports GGGI’s mission, vision and values and promote an

• Understand and actively support GGGI's mission, vision, and values.
• Promote the optimum use of public resources.
• Promote an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect, and partnership.
• Process and share information easily.
• Manage emotions and stress positively, builds rapport, and resolve conflict easily.
• Promote creativity and innovation among staff.
• Provide solutions at the project level.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The Communications Senior Assistant is an X5 grade level in GGGI’s Nicaragua/El Salvador salary scale. GGGI provides 15% of base salary towards retirement plan/long-term savings, 27 days of annual leave, and private health insurance. GGGI is committed to providing a work environment that is sufficiently flexible to accommodate diverse life-cycle challenges and assist Staff members to achieve a better balance between work and personal/family commitments, thus ensuring high performance, long-term productivity, and well-being of Staff members.