Head of Communications

Job Purpose and Definition

The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) is a leading global organisation focused on addressing the root causes of violence through a feminist lens. We are working to create a world of permanent peace built on feminist foundations of freedom, justice, nonviolence, human rights, and equality for all.

We are seeking to hire a new Head of Communications who is aligned with our mission, to lead in designing and implementing a new communications strategy based on our International Programme 2022-2025.

The successful candidate will be a strong strategist, with proven experience designing and overseeing comprehensive communications strategies, able to communicate and convey complex concepts and issues in an accessible and engaging way. They will also be a hands-on leader who is excited to build the capacity of our small but ambitious in-house communications team and foster a culture that prioritises clear and compelling communications across the organisation. They will also be committed to feminist, anti-racist, and inclusive ways of working and they will thrive in a collaborative working environment.

Main Responsibilities

1. Strategy

• Design a comprehensive communications strategy based on our International Programme 2022-2025.
• Work closely with the Director of Programmes and other programme leads to ensure that the strategy addresses their priorities while creating a strong, coherent brand for the organisation.
• Collaborate with the Membership Manager to ensure that communications outputs geared towards members are engaging and inclusive—and to harness the power of WILPF’s broad member base to help drive change.
• Assess current processes for strategic planning and make recommendations for improvement.
• As part of our Strategy Group, play a key role in setting the overarching strategic direction for the organisation.

2. Execution

• Oversee all communications outputs published by the WILPF International Secretariat’s communications channels (e.g., website content, social media content, newsletters), support the publication and promotion of long-form reports, annual reports, and advise on communications outputs published by individual programmes through their channels.
• Oversee our yearly content plan and calendar, ensuring that it is updated regularly and that there are clear and consistent processes for coordinating communications activities across the organisation.
• Oversee the application of our visual identity, ensuring that WILPF has one coherent brand, while maintaining space for individual programmes that have established their own profiles.

3. Management and Operations

• Directly line manage a worldwide team of approximately 3-5 staff members.
• Provide proactive learning and development opportunities for team members.
• Design and carry out training sessions for the wider organisation, focused on building capacity for clear and concise communications.
• Oversee the planning and management of the Secretariat’s budget for communications activities.
• Oversee the contracting and management of external communications consultants.
• Coordinate relevant internal monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) processes.

4. Fundraising and Donor Engagement

• Work closely with programme leads across WILPF International Secretariat to design and budget for the communications elements of grant proposals.
• Identify fundraising opportunities to support the strengthening of our communications function and provide input for discussions with donors.

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong strategic and creative vision.
• Ability to take information about complex, intersectional issues and distil it into clear and engaging communications outputs.
• Ability to engage new audiences through creative communications approaches and formats, with a particular focus on young audiences and those in the global South.
• Strong leadership skills consistent with feminist management values; comfortable managing projects and teams in a flat and consultative setting.
• Excellent feminist management skills, which include coaching and developing teams, mentoring staff, delivering timely feedback, and encouraging professional development opportunities.
• Strong understanding of how to leverage media, social media, and digital engagement strategies to achieve WILPF’s advocacy objectives.
• Excellent communication skills. Ability to effectively communicate across a multicultural and multilingual staff, as well as with internationally based membership sections.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise work and take initiative. Ability to quickly pivot to evolving organisational priorities, based on fluid programmatic contexts in complex conflict environments.
• Understanding of how to effectively engage the media and drive press coverage.
• Familiarity with the Geneva press corps. (Beneficial, but not essential)
• Knowledge of political economy and what it takes to enact transformational change. (Beneficial, but not essential)

Experience

• At least 10 years of experience working in communications.
• Experience as a line manager and team leader.
• Experience working on complex geopolitical issues, with a strong understanding of the intersectional approaches necessary to address them.
• Experience using communications to drive advocacy outcomes at both a national and international level, including within the UN or other multilateral institutions.
• Proven track record of engaging diverse, global audiences.
• Demonstrated experience helping to fundraise for communications activities, either as stand-alone proposals or as part of wider grant agreements. (Beneficial, but not essential)
• Experience working with member-focussed organisations. (Beneficial, but not essential)
• Experience contracting and managing external consultants. (Beneficial, but not essential)

Approach and Values

• Strong commitment to WILPF’s feminist values and to engaging partners based on collaboration and trust.
• A radical approach to delivering change and a willingness to “colour outside the lines”.
• Demonstrated self-awareness and ability to self-reflect. Commitment to learning, creativity, and innovation. Upholds and values transparency and accountability.

Compensation

WILPF will provide the Head of Communications with compensation commensurate with experience. Compensation will also be based on the location of the selected candidate.

Location

Geneva, Switzerland is strongly preferred. This position can be remote, although the successful candidate will be expected to attend key in-person meetings as well as other relevant events and meetings, to fulfil the duties of the position. Office space is available in Geneva should the candidate prefer to work onsite.