Strategic Communications Manager, Inspiring Good Nutrition Initiatives Through Enterprise (IGNITE) Program

TechnoServe Background: 

Everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better future. This simple idea has been at the heart of TechnoServe’s work around the world for over 50 years. TechnoServe is a pioneer in leveraging the power of businesses and markets to create sustainable pathways out of poverty.

The low-income communities in which we work are full of enterprising people. Their small-scale farms and businesses are the keys to economic development. But they face many challenges: low literacy, lack of access to jobs and markets, unpredictable political dynamics and, increasingly, the effects of climate change. For many women and young people, the challenges are even more daunting. Working with TechnoServe staff, people around the world are lifting themselves out of poverty. The results are amazing...when incomes increase and living conditions for families get better, they are able to access health care and education previously out of reach. Communities and even whole countries are better off.  

Program Description: 

The Inspiring Good Nutrition Initiatives Through Enterprise (IGNITE) will aim to achieve increased motivation and fortification capability of millers leading to increased proportion of fortified staple foods and conversion of a critical mass of millers to improved FF practices across at least eight countries. 

IGNITE will facilitate the activation and expansion of a catalytic collective impact initiative – the Millers 4 Nutrition (M4N) coalition – to globally coordinate and locally implement an ultimately sustainable model for delivery of technical assistance (TA) and other services to millers in collaboration with corporate partners- Strategic Fortification Partners (SFPs). These TA services, and associated engagement platforms, will establish business cases and motivate and develop capabilities of food processors to improve their performance in the fortification of selected staple foods and condiments, and thereby to achieve large-scale and relevant (contributing to the diets of large proportions of populations in countries where staple FF has been identified as part of national nutrition strategies) coverage on a sustained basis. The IGNITE program will be implemented in eight priority countries namely Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan and Tanzania with India, Kenya, and Nigeria serving as the operational hubs. 

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Program Director, the Strategic Communications Manager will coordinate with a range of stakeholders including the program team and global Strategic Fortification Partners (SFPs), manage communication channels, and ensure mutual understanding of program objectives and activities among broader external stakeholders. They will be responsible for developing and implementing strategic communication plans and initiatives to enhance the global visibility, reputation, and engagement for the IGNITE Program. They will also be tasked with working closely with other global management team members, such as the Monitoring & Evaluation and Partner Liaison Managers, to extract key themes and incorporate ongoing observations and data into communication materials.

Primary Responsibilities

Strategic Communications Planning:

• Develop and execute comprehensive global communication strategies aligned with the program’s objectives, and in coordination with Strategic Fortification Partners (SFPs).
• Identify target audiences and tailor communication approaches to effectively reach and engage them- including food processors, development partners, academia, and public institutions.
• Assist IGNITE team with capturing and disseminating stories that demonstrate program impact  through increased accountability, cross-sectoral collaboration, fostered trust with industry  partners, and sustainability. (Focusing on key stakeholders such as food processors, input  suppliers, development partners, and the public sector). 
• Maintain a communications calendar with key events, dates, and deadlines throughout the  duration of the program
• Provide input to donor reports by gathering and organizing information, analyzing data, and collaborating with country teams to present a compelling narrative that showcases IGNITE’s impact and accomplishments to donors and other stakeholders.

Content Creation and Management:

• Oversee the creation and production of compelling content across various platforms, including social media, digital engagement portals, newsletters, and annual reports.
• Ensure consistent messaging and brand guidelines are followed to maintain a cohesive and recognizable image for the program.
• Develop and implement a robust digital and social medi