The position coordinates and responds to Communication, Media, Promotional, Public Relations, Marketing and related requirements of the organisation in line with with IUCN standards and requirements.
The position also serves as the Communications Focal Point in the Oceania Region.

TERMS OF REFERENCE
Position title: Senior Communications Officer
Unit: Regional Director’s Unit
Reports to: Regional Director Oceania
Grade: P2
Duration: 2 years

Reporting Responsibilities:
The reporting relationships will be as follows:
Direct Reporting Line: Reporting Area
Regional Director: All Areas
Secondary Reporting Line:
Head of Communications, Global Communications Group: Coordination of communication initiatives.

Subordinate Staff:
Communications Assistant

- All IUCN Oceania Regional Office Staff and Consultants are responsible to IUCN Oceania Regional Office.
- Direct reporting lines indicate those staff members providing direct supervision.
- Functional reporting lines indicate accountability for particular functions or areas of work.
- Additional reporting lines indicate mutual reporting, information sharing and accountability, which is often reciprocal.
- Further cooperation will be extended to all other IUCN staff as appropriate. However consultation, information sharing and other relationship lines are not indicated as they are likely to be numerous.


1. Background:
The position coordinates and responds to Communication, Media, Promotional, Public Relations, Marketing and related requirements of the organisation in line with with IUCN standards and requirements.
The position also serves as the Communications Focal Point in the Oceania Region.

2. Specific Duties:

In undertaking its role, the incumbent will perform the following tasks:

a. Programmatic Communications:
• Be responsible for IUCN brand management in Oceania ;
• Contribute to ORO’s strategic planning process;
• Implement and review IUCN ORO Communication Strategy and ensure that staff understand its importance and its relevance to ORO’s business plan;
• Facilitate and contribute to the identification of strategic promotional and communication objectives, and oversee the implementation of an ORO Communications Plan;
• Promote visibility for projects, programmes and the organisation whilst promoting IUCN integrity and values;
• Strengthen the development and production of knowledge product outputs;
• Coordinate processes relating to the development of the Annual Report,
the publicising of research, reports and other publication releases and document key messages relating to IUCN projects and programmes in the Oceania Region;
• Communicate IUCN messages to the public, stakeholders and ensure media and communication partnerships are kept regularly updated and informed in the process;
• Engage and maintain relationships with the press by responding to press requests, and connecting the IUCN ORO community with viable media opportunities;
• Draft key institutional documents; press releases and communication materials required;
• Manage Oceania’s online, digital and printed knowledge assets;
• Provide communications support for promotional activities at large regional and global events;
• Monitor communications-related services and products.

b. Regional Project Communications:
• Develop and implement communication products and services relating to Special Projects at local, national and regional level;
• Provide communications advisory support to projects as agreed to by relevant project managers.

c. Staffing Function:
• Provide capacity building in media, communications and marketing for staff, counterparts and partners;
• Provide the lead role in any relevant recruitment of appropriate Communications staff in Oceania;
• Manage and supervise any staff (including seconded, interns and volunteers) of the Communications section to ensure timely production of high quality work;
• Ensure that Communications staff are aligned in terms of their work plans to the units’ work plan in keeping with the IUCN’s performance management system;
• Mentor and provide support to communication roles in programmes or projects in coordination with the Regional Programme Coordinator and the programme coordinators for effective communication.

d. Communications Focal Point:
• Maintain linkages with the Global Communications Unit in terms of IUCN communication requirements and updates;
• Undertake relevant follow-ups in relation to Global Communication requirements of ORO.


3. Supervisory Responsibilities:
The Senior Communications Officer is directly responsible for the supervision of the Communications Assistant.

4. Working Relationships:

Internal: Interact regularly with all IUCN staff as required to fulfil duties.

External: Interact regularly with relevant stakeholders including members of the press/media houses, government agencies, IUCN members and partners.



5. Ethical, Social and Ecological Responsibilities:
This role requires the following ethical, social and ecological responsibilities:
• Respect for people from different nationalities, cultures, ethnicities, religion, gender, sexual orientation as well as the young and elderly;
• Responsible for exercising utmost care and judgement to ensure the assets belonging or entrusted to IUCN are not misused or wasted;
• Avoids all instances of conflict of interest in one’s dealings;
• Commitment to help conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure the sustainable use of resources;
• Adherence to the IUCN Code of Conduct.

6. Personal Attributes:
This role requires the following personal attributes:
• Accepts Responsibility: Willing and able to bear high levels of responsibility by making timely decisions and being accountable;
• A Learner: Willing to learn about the countries, cultures and development/environmental issues of the region;
• Adaptation: Willing to adapt to regional norms without compromising personal beliefs and principles;
• Openness: Communicates honestly, openly, and consistently. Shares information appropriately and ensures that views of all members of the team are freely expressed;
• Positive Attitude: Encourages a positive rather than negative viewpoint;
• Integrity: Maintains the highest standard of personal conduct in performing all duties;
• Commitment: Committed to making the project a success. Willing and able to work for the best interests of the project;
• Can handle stressful situations well: Willing and able to deal with problem situations and is always mentally prepared;
• People Skills: Able to build productive working relationships with other staff and development partners based on respect and good rapport, is able to listen well and is receptive to constructive criticism;
• Judgement: Able to evaluate information quickly, identify key issues and formulate conclusions based on sound, practical judgement, experience, and common sense;
• Organized: Well prepared, organized and able to carry out all responsibilities and action items in a purposeful way;
• Dependable: Can be relied upon to get the job done at the expected time, or to give advanced prior notice if deadlines are not to be met;
• Proactive: Proactive rather than reactive, and able to avoid mistakes that could/should be anticipated.

7. IUCN Mission and Values:
7.1 It is part of every staff member's terms of reference to contribute to IUCN’s vision to “A just world that values and conserves nature”.
7.2 IUCN Mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable.
7.3 It is also part of every staff member's terms of reference to embody IUCN values, which are
• integrity and ethical behaviour
• a commitment to competence
• fair, inclusive and transparent decision making
• clear responsibilities and accountabilities for achieving the Mission,
• responding to stakeholders, caring for staff and conducting business with stakeholders and suppliers
• equality, inclusiveness and respect for the diversity of people
• uphold environmental responsibility