Director of External Relations, Asia
Position Title: Director of External Relations, Asia
Client: Nutrition International - Asia https://www.nutritionintl.org/our-work/our-global-projects/asia/
Location: New Delhi (India) / Dhaka (Bangladesh) / Islamabad (Pakistan) / Jakarta (Indonesia) OR any other ASEAN country.
Reports directly to/Position Title: Vice-President, External Relations
Reports indirectly to/Position Title Regional Director, Asia
1. Overall Purpose/Broad Function:
Nutrition International is a global nutrition organization headquartered in Canada with a $700M Investment Case that funds programming in over 60 countries, primarily in Asia and Africa. Nutrition International’s External Relations Unit leads communications, advocacy, government relations and donor-focused resource mobilization activities for the organization. With team members in Canada, Africa and Asia, the unit plays a key role in positioning the organization for influence and growth globally.
The Director of External Relations, Asia spearheads Nutrition International’s external relations work in Asia, leading advocacy and communications activities and actively supporting both the regional director and country directors in their relations with governments and stakeholders, with the ultimate goals of increasing the prioritization and funding of nutrition as well as Nutrition International.
The Director of External Relations, Asia oversees an Asia-based team that delivers advocacy and communication programming at the regional level, and directly supports national advocacy and communication plans led by Nutrition International’s five country offices. Part the Asia Regional Management Team as well as the Global External Relations Management Team, this position contributes to Nutrition International’s regional strategy formulation and brings a strong Asian perspective to the External Relations team’s planning and work.
2. Key Duties and Responsibilities:
3.1 – Advocacy & Stakeholder Relations
· Lead advocacy activities with Nutrition International’s key regional partners, establishing long-term partnerships with key institutions and organizations in order to increase the prioritization of nutrition and positioning of Nutrition International.
· Actively support the Regional Director, Asia, as well as Nutrition International’s Country Directors in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia and the Philippines, in their relations with regional, sub-regional, national and sub-national stakeholders and governments.
· Create advocacy products and campaigns designed to increase the visibility and fundability of both nutrition and Nutrition International, working in close collaboration with colleagues across Nutrition International’s geographies.
3.2 – Communications & Public Affairs
· Lead the planning and execution of communications activities in Asia, leveraging media, events, field missions, and – most especially – effective storytelling to increase the organization’s share of voice and influence.
· Develop a suite of corporate products for Asia and produce ongoing communications content such as media materials, field stories, web content, briefing notes and annual reports, working in close collaboration with colleagues across Nutrition International’s geographies.
· Support internal communications to help build a cohesive team of team’s approach across the organization and keep all staff well informed and engaged on key corporate matters.
· Build the capacity of regional and country staff to engage in communications, advocacy and government relations activities through internal learning and development activities.
3.3 – Coalitions & Partnerships
· Act as an ambassador for nutrition and nutrition programs, educating and advocating departments and partners on the role of nutrition in achieving our broader development goals.
· Build and maintain relationships with Nutrition International’s key regional and sub-regional partners, attending meetings, identifying opportunities for engagement and technical assistance, and coordinating support across Nutrition International’s teams and geographies.
· Represent Nutrition International on relevant working groups and coalitions, holding key relationships with other organizations with whom we undertake joint initiatives – working in close coordination with the Regional Director.
3.4 – Management & Planning
· Build and manage an annual planning process that will generate:
· Targeted annual advocacy strategies that can be translated into actionable and measurable work plans for national and regional activities.
· Regional and country-level communications plans, including an event calendar and content development plan.
· Establish and standardize processes to support Nutrition International staff in public engagements, most particularly the Regional Director and Country Directors, to ensure excellence and professionalism in all Nutrition International’s public activities.
· Develop and manage annual budgets, tracking and reporting on country and regional external relations activities as well as annual work, development and growth plans for Asia-based external relations staff.
· Participate as a member of the Asia Regional Management Team as well as the External Relations global Management Team, contributing to Nutrition International’s regional strategy formulation and bringing a strong Asian perspective to the External Relations team’s global planning and work.
3. - Supervisory Responsibilities:
· Regional and national external relations staff and consultants. Contractors and consultants as required.
4. - Education/Professional Designations/Experience:
· Degree in International Development, International Relations or related field from reputable university or institution. Advanced degree is desirable.
· 10 years experience working in government relations, advocacy, communications, stakeholder relations or partnerships, with at least 5 years’ experience in a management position.
· Experience working for an international organization or managing initiatives with both domestic and global audiences.
· Excellent English written and oral communications skills, with advanced presentation and networking skills. Fluency in additional languages and dialects is a strong asset.
· International and foreign government relations experience as well as experience in the nutrition, health or development sector a strong asset.
· Strong personal and professional integrity. High EQ and self-awareness. Positive track record in managing teams and promoting teamwork.
· Broad understanding of international political, health and development context; including concepts of impact and cost effectiveness.
· Understanding of NGO environment and operating environment in south / southeast Asia
5. - Language Skills
· Fluency in English (reading, writing and oratory skills) is a pre-requisite.
· Fluency in other Asian languages or dialects a strong asset.
6. - Travel Requirements
· Prepared to travel up to 20% of time. (Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Philippines and beyond)
TO APPLY
Nutrition International has hired Global Recruitment Specialists to assist with sourcing applicants for this position. Candidates are welcome to contact GRS with inquiries or to apply directly with a cover letter and CV to:
Patrick Shields, Search Manager
Global Recruitment Specialists "Positioning You for Success"
Norwalk, CT 06851 USA
Telephone: +1- 203-899-0499
Email: Shields@globalrecruitment.net
Web: http://www.globalrecruitment.net
Equal Opportunity Employer offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental disability, or protected veteran status. The client complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.
Note: This job description can and will be amended as required from time to time.