Communications Manager

Position summary:

The Rainforest Alliance is creating a more sustainable world by using social and market forces to protect nature and improve the lives of farmers and forest communities. To achieve our mission, we partner with diverse allies around the world to drive positive change across global supply chains and in our most critically important natural landscapes.

Within the South America region, the Communications Manager will be responsible for creating the communication strategy of the region, aligned with the region’s technical strategy, as well as the marketing and communications global guidelines and protocols. The communication strategy will include the development of communication plans for each country and support its appropriate implementation in all active initiatives. The Communications Manager will have periodic meetings with senior associate and associate communication staff in the different countries to align and coordinate communication objectives, key audiences, messages, media access and positioning across the region. The Communications Manager will be responsible to develop tools that support communication for standards and frameworks and strategic landscapes in the region.

Responsibilities: 

• The Rainforest Alliance’s Core Values are Impact, Change, Collaboration, Openness and Trust and as such they form the basis of the behaviours we demonstrate.

Technical Programming and Communications:

• Develop and implement the communication’s strategy (objectives, audiences, media/channels, and key messages) for South America region, including Social Behavior Communication Change approach for standard and frameworks and strategic la focusing on specific changes we expect our audiences make under these pillars. The strategy will need to align with the Rainforest Alliance communication guidelines and protocols and need to be in line with regional and countries strategies.

• Develop and implement communication plans per country, including annual budget and monitoring and evaluation KPIs.

• Develop a digital communication strategy, with a proper plan, monitoring and evaluation KPIs for brand positioning reach, engagement, and recognition. This includes creation of communication assets for the global Web site, and/or social media such as Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and other as appropriate.

• Strengthen relations with journalists in sector and/or specialized sections in massive media. Monitoring media coverage in the region, being the first point of contact for local journalists and proactively cultivating and maintaining relationships with key regional media outlets.

• Align and coordinate media outreach, and protocols with global Marketing and Communications.

• Monitor relevant media to identify potential reputational risks or positive mentions of the regions and countries’ work.

• Design and develop communication assets to support colleagues working in standard and frameworks and strategic landscapes. Support communication needs of Country Directors and Project managers, take lead in development of key messages, storytelling assets, branded items and other communication materials  

• Review and request translations or position papers, documents, factsheets, or other marketing assets created in Marketing and Communications global, adjusting language and/or visuals for local contexts.

• Work closely with Mesoamerica Communications Manager to ensure alignment for Latin America approach due to the proximity and influence of both regions (South and Meso).

Coordination

• The South America Communications Manager will have periodic check ins with region and countries’ directors, and communication senior associates of initiatives for alignment, updates, coordinate specific events, activities or local sector/mass media press releases or others required.

• Convene and organize group calls and internal or external meetings, which includes setting agenda, assembling minutes, active participation, and follow-up with stakeholders, partners, actors, or colleagues to develop collaboration activities or contributions.

• Support site visits to the field per required; coordinate interviews, photo and/or video shooting to highlight testimonies or success stories achieved in our standards and frameworks and strategic landscapes.

• Coordinate with other departments including Marketing and Communications, Advocacy, Fundraising, Themes and Programs periodically for alignment and/or creation of communication assets.

• Work with reputation and media teams to monitor and handle reputational risks in the region.

• Actively contribute and participate in internal management processes to evaluate and improve our communications approach, enhance internal knowledge transfer, and coach local staff to build capacity to communicate effectively.

• Responsible for the delivery of monthly reports on communications management indicators and activities performed.

• Responsible for act as authorized channel to speak to media in the region.

Supervision:

• The position will lead communication senior associates and associates in the region.

• Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities are hiring, mentoring, and evaluating, guiding professional development opportunities, and addressing employee relations issues.

Qualifications: 

• BA or master’s degree in communications, Public Relations, or related field.

• Proven experience (7 years’) in communications and/or communications for development, including at least 3 years collaborating directly with journalists.

• At least 2 years of experience in handling reputational risks.

• Experience in social media and/or other Web 2.0 fields.

• At least 2 years of experience leading staff.

• Written and verbal proficiency in English, in addition to native Spanish or Portuguese.

• Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office and Internet), design programs and database programs.

• Ability to work within a team structure as well as independently, be creative, take initiative, be attentive to detail and possess excellent interpersonal communication skills.

• Strong interest and/or experience in biodiversity conservation, agriculture, forestry, climate change and sustainable rural development.

• Excellent people skills, to act culturally, linguistically, and diplomatically with diverse internal and external audiences.

• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple priorities in a time critical manner.

• Excellent skills for photo and video shooting a plus.

• Ability to travel a minimum of 20% of the time, nationally and internationally.

Job Level: 3

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Deadline: 14 June 2024

Notes: Only candidates authorized to work in Brazil will be considered.

If you have any questions about the job vacancy, please contact the HR department: recruitment@ra.org

Who we are:
The Rainforest Alliance is creating a more sustainable world by using social and market forces to protect nature and improve the lives of farmers and forest communities. To achieve our mission, we partner with diverse allies around the world to drive positive change across global supply chains and in many of our most critically important natural landscapes.

Our alliance spans 70 countries and includes farmers and forest communities, companies, governments, civil society, and millions of individuals. Together we work to protect forests and biodiversity, take action on climate, and promote the rights and improve the livelihoods of rural people.

As an international nonprofit organization with more than 30 years of experience in sustainability transformation, we understand that the social and economic well-being of rural communities is tightly connected to ecosystem health. This knowledge has shaped our rigorous programs to advance sustainable land-use and commodity production.

At the Rainforest Alliance we combat climate change, protect forests and biodiversity, promote human rights, and improve livelihoods. The enormity of the social and environmental challenges we are facing requires working together in a broad alliance. This is why we bring farmers, forest communities, companies, and consumers together to change the way the world produces, sources, and consumes.

Why

To protect nature and improve lives it’s becoming increasingly urgent that we approach the way we use our land and produce food and other products in more sustainable ways. For this to succeed we need to fundamentally change the way that businesses operate and source, and the choices we all make as consumers.

How

Our growing global alliance aims to transform our relationship with our natural resources and each other, to create a better future for people and nature together.

The Rainforest Alliance encourages diversity and inclusion across the global organization. With this commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, ages, disability and any other protected group.