Strategic Partnerships Communications Lead

Overseas Development Institute
Strategic Partnerships Communications Lead

Application Deadline: 21 February 2025

Department: Strategic Partnerships

Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract

Location: London, UK

Compensation: £47,700 / year

Description

Fixed Term Contract – 2 Years

Overview of job

Research, convening and influencing are at the heart of what we do, and the demand has never been greater for innovative solutions to the global challenges we collectively face. The Communications Manager will play a pivotal role in strengthening ODI Global knowledge management, influencing strategies, and external relationships. This role in particular will be the focal point and communications and events lead for a major ODI Global strategic and institutional partnership (SIP). The grant is worth US $5 million over the next five years and is focused on putting gender equality at the centre of climate action. From the World Economic Forum Annual Meetings in Davos to the COP summits, this role will be instrumental in ensuring decision making at the most influential international forums is informed by the best of ODI Global analysis and the voices of partners from around the globe. Working with our key foundation partner, and a host of organizations and individuals committed to gender equality and climate justice, this Communications Manager will oversee an exciting brief to raise the visibility of priority issues, including through the convening of high-level events, the delivery of policy influencing products, and the amplification of new and under-represented voices at the global level. This will require a firm grasp of integrated communications planning, a keen creative eye and a passion for convening diverse perspectives across a range of formats. Reporting to the Chief Strategy and Governance Officer and the Director of Communications and as a member of the public affairs and communications management team, the role will work closely with ODI Global’s executive leaders and communications staff to integrate the work of this grant across the organisation. They will act as a linchpin in the organisation, participating in a cross-institute team of communications professionals to ensure that strategic priorities are translated into innovative and impactful campaigns.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Integrated communications planning

• Develop communications strategies to engage target audiences with key projects delivered within this grant, relating to the themes of gender equality and climate justice.
• Work closely with the Chief Strategy and Governance Officer and other senior leaders across the organisation to link the grant’s priorities to current events and emerging opportunities through engaging communications work.
• Coordinate the delivery of this work by liaising with the programme management leads, the partner and ODI Global leadership, ensuring the communications strategies are effectively project managed and delivered to deadline.
• Proactively seek to stay abreast of current events related to ODI Global’s work, policies and stakeholders to advise on external outreach and engagement for this programme.
• Ensure regular communication with the funder on ODI Global work and related activities, proactively identifying opportunities for collaboration and cross-fertilisation of ideas.

Convening

• Lead on development of appropriate plans for the convening programme relevant to this grant, including events, the Think Change podcast and other branded products, coordinating the work with other members of the public affairs and communications team to deliver to deadline.
• Support the delivery of high-quality events at major international summits.
• Work with digital and marketing colleagues to ensure the successful marketing and promotion of ODI Global events and podcasts relevant to this grant.
• Proactively identify global commentators and high-profile individuals to speak on key issues and trends revealed and explored by the grant.

Contribute to effective ODI Global public affairs and communications more widely

• Actively contribute to the public affairs and communications management team, sharing best practice and ways of working and continually improving the team’s function and performance.
• Support ODI Global’s wider work on PAC in close collaboration with the Director of Communications.
• Support effective internal communications – promoting coordination and information-sharing around upcoming work and key activities.
• Support and advise researchers on communications to build their capacity where necessary.
• Support PAC colleagues to deliver priority outputs/activities when surge capacity is required.
• Carry out other tasks as specified by the Director of Communications.

Person specification

Essential
Knowledge and qualifications

• Education to at least degree level
• Substantial experience in a comparable post
• Experience of working on climate issues, international development and global affairs
• Experience in drawing up and delivering successful public affairs and communications strategies and delivery plans, supported by examples of success
• Proven track record of delivering high-level events, ideally at a national and international level
• Experience commissioning creative material such as multimedia content, data visualisations and infographics
• Experience in managing external suppliers, such as agencies
• Experience in building and managing budgets & effective M&E

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Strong leadership and management skills
• Ability to write with flair for a range of audiences, from creating viral copy to corresponding with high level dignitaries
• Use of own initiative and ability to work in a self-directed manner
• Excellent interpersonal skills including demonstrated ability to liaise and communicate with colleagues at all levels of seniority and from different cultures
• Strong organisational, prioritisation, project management with emphasis on delivery of results.
• Excellent attention to detail while also keeping an eye on the bigger picture
• Ability to work to strict deadlines and under pressure
• Strong editorial judgement
• Excellent ability to build cross cultural relationships with partners and colleagues at various levels of seniority.
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, building relationships and leveraging collective strengths to drive results
• Good knowledge of different communications platforms, including web-based tools and social media
• Excellent IT and data management skills

Desirable

• Experience in research public affairs and communications
• Additional language skills

Key relationships and contacts

• Chief Strategy and Governance Officer
• Director of Communications
• External SIPs funder
• Public Affairs and Communications colleagues across the organisation
• Programme Directors and Researchers
• Programme management colleagues
• External partners and audiences

All staff are expected to:

• Positively support equality of opportunity both within ODI Global and externally
• Help maintain a safe working environment and take responsibility for own and colleagues’ Health and Safety
• Undertake such other duties within the scope of their post as may be requested by their manager.

Why should you work for us?

ODI Global is committed to developing and supporting diverse and inclusive teams of people who share our passion, where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. We welcome applicants from a range of diverse backgrounds including those who experience intersectional marginalisation on the basis of their class, race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious identity or belief, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. We also welcome applications from those living with disabilities.

Benefits

We prioritise the well-being of our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your personal and professional growth. Enjoy a generous annual leave allowance, including public holidays and additional time off during Christmas and New Year. We also recognise the importance of work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements, remote work options, and study leave to support your professional development.

Our commitment to employee well-being extends beyond annual leave. We provide comprehensive benefits such as maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental leave, competitive pension schemes and interest-free travel loans. We offer sick pay, an Employee Assistance Program, and staff events and social activities to ensure your physical and mental health.

For those relocating to the UK, we provide relocation assistance to help you settle in. We also promote sustainable commuting with our Cycle to Work scheme and offer union membership to protect your rights and advocate for your interests.

At ODI Global, we believe that a supportive and rewarding work environment is essential for success. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects our commitment to your well-being and professional growth.

For a full listing of benefits, please visit our Careers page .