TITLE: Senior Communications Specialist (Consultant)
CONTRACT TERM: Through July 2024 initially, with the possibility of extension depending on performance and funding availability.
LOCATION: Bangkok, Thailand preferred.

SUMMARY OF JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

The Asia Foundation’s Thailand Office seeks a qualified and personable individual for a Senior Communications Specialist of the USAID and Australia Mekong Safeguards Program. The Senior Communications Specialist will jointly lead the development of communications products and comms-related operations for the Mekong Safeguards Program.

The USAID and Australia Mekong Safeguards Program (Mekong Safeguards) is a six-year project working with central banks, governments, and developers in Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar on significant energy and transportation infrastructure investments to strengthen environmental and social standards and adopt clean technologies in Southeast Asia’s Lower Mekong sub-region. The program is an exciting opportunity to support new and improved ways governments, financiers, developers, and communities can invest and build sustainable energy and transportation infrastructure. It is funded through a unique partnership between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

REPORTING & SUPERVISION

This position reports to the Chief of Party and Senior Advisor of Mekong Safeguards.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Senior Communications Specialist (SCS) is a vital programmatic role in a creative technical. The SCS will lead communications initiatives and efforts in collaboration with the Mekong Safeguards team and contractors to (1) tell the Program’s story effectively and (2) enhance activity implementation through creative products.

Through media product creation and development, which includes field interviewing and recording, storyboarding, editing, event organization, translation, and branding work, the SCS will be responsible for delivering high-quality ideas and products that tell the compelling story of the lives, challenges, successes and of the people, communities, organizations, and companies the Program works with for broader audiences. Products to be delivered will include online interactive storymaps, short-form video media, formal written content, and translation/branding and support for in-the-field events. This will involve the management of media-related contractors and consultants and experienced media product development, including storyboarding, scriptwriting, filming and recording, editing, and web-based media management.

The SCS will coordinate closely with the Mekong Safeguards team to develop communication products to support and enhance activity implementation. This includes developing visually appealing products

such as program factsheets, leaflets, brochures, banners, templates for slides and reports, nametags, backdrops, infographics, etc. The SCS must be proficient in English and Thai to support document drafting, including but not limited to invitation letters, opening/closing remarks, briefings, newsletters, articles, and social media content.

In short, the Program needs an ambitious, experienced professional who can create visually stunning content that aligns with Mekong Safeguard’s mission and branding requirements from USAID and DFAT. The SCS must be able to hatch and execute excellent creative ideas and bring a new voice to international development programming. Though based in Bangkok, there may be opportunities to travel to countries across the Mekong Subregion, including Lao PDR, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

The scope of work includes:

· Quickly and efficiently lead and develop visually stunning, provocative, popular video/digital and social media products and content that bring Mekong Safeguard’s donors, stakeholders, and success stories to life.

· Lead storyboarding, script content, filming and editing, music direction, and talent sourcing in collaboration with the program and operations team.

· Curate website and social media presence.

· Ensure compliance with mandated branding requirements (USAID and DFAT).

· Support events organization and implementation.

· Draft and finalize client/stakeholder-facing documents in Thai and English, and where applicable, translate between Thai and English.

· Support the drafting, designing, and finalizing annual, quarterly, and other programmatic reports.

REQUIREMENTS

· At least five years of experience managing communications and outreach, multimedia design, media development, journalism, film, or public relations.

· Master’s degree in media and communications, public relations, journalism, film, media, fine arts, website design, or similar/equivalent experience.

· Excellent Thai and fluent English speaker, reading and writing.

· Demonstrated technical excellence with media and documentary-style production, including planning, storyboarding, interviewing techniques, camera and recording equipment (audio and video production), and digital editing software, such as Adobe Creative Cloud, Final Cut Pro, and related products.

· Demonstrated ability to learn and utilize new media production technology quickly.

· Successful experience managing media production firms and consultants.

· Demonstrated excellence in branding and marketing, including visual design in PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat, Photoshop, and similar software; website design skills are a plus.

· Demonstrated corporate or government drafting and proofing branded public-facing documents, marketing collateral, and announcements.

· Demonstrated media outlet experience in Thailand and/or internationally.

· An impressive portfolio of visual story-telling communications/media products, including online story maps, short films, and documentaries.

· Demonstrable experience sourcing media content, production, and editing online through platforms such as Fiverr, Upwork, whiteboard services, PIxabay, Vivedo, and Shutterstock.

· Proactive go-getter, constantly searching for opportunities to produce new media products.

· Experienced interviewer is a plus.

· Strong willingness to conduct work in the field, sometimes in rural areas.

· Experience with USAID or Australia DFAT programs preferred.

· Ability to work under pressure and against demanding deadlines.

· Women are highly encouraged to apply.

Send CV/résumé and cover letter to Mekong.Safeguards@asiafoundation.org. Please note application for Position “Senior Communications Specialist” in email subject title. The closing date is October 16, 2023. Please indicate your preferred daily rate in USD. (Only short-listed candidates will be notified.)

This recruitment is open to Thai citizens and foreign nationals residing in Thailand, though work permit/visa restrictions may apply to non-Thai citizens.