The Deputy Manager, Communications will provide strategic communications support and technical assistance to BRAC International Microfinance’s (BI MF) eight microfinance entities across Asia and Africa. The Deputy Manager Communications will support the development and implementation of communications plans, design and deliver compelling content and campaigns, produce compelling narratives to strengthen stakeholder engagement, enhance visibility, and effectively communicate BI MF’s impact to internal, national and global audiences.
Key Responsibilities
- Entity support: Support the planning and implementation of annual communications plans for BI MF’s eight microfinance entities. Provide ongoing technical assistance, hands-on support and strategic guidance to strengthen programme delivery, improve efficiency, and promote effective communication with clients, staff, and external stakeholders. Support country teams to align entity-level communications with BI MF’s communications strategies, brand, and messaging.
- Programme communications support: Support communications for the financial inclusion component of BRAC International’s flagship “Accelerating Impact for Young Women (AIM)” programme. Develop and implement internal and external communication campaigns, multi-media content, and design materials that enable staff to effectively communicate the AIM programme to participants and other stakeholders.
- Media relations: Support entity communications teams to draft, produce and disseminate news releases, FAQs, briefing notes and other media materials to enhance the visibility and credibility of BI MF entities in their national and regional contexts. Work closely with country leadership teams to identify potential reputational risks and support proactive and reactive communications responses.
- Content development: Lead and support the development of high-quality content for multiple platforms, including websites, social media, newsletters and print materials. Write and edit human interest and impact stories, video scripts, blogs, case studies, factsheets, capacity statements, annual reports and other knowledge and advocacy products. Maintain and manage an editorial calendar and oversee monthly and annual content production processes to ensure timeliness, quality and alignment with programme priorities.
- Campaigns and events: Design and implement integrated communication campaigns grounded in data, research and programme evidence, supported by creative and inspiring content. Support the planning and delivery of the BI MF Leadership Retreat, learning workshops and webinars to amplify BI MF’s work and learning. Ensure that key messages, branding and positioning are consistently reflected across global campaigns and events such as Financial Inclusion Week, International Women’s Day, World Youth Day, etc.
- Social media: Develop and implement a social media plan to enhance BI MF’s visibility, engagement and thought leadership across various platforms. Regularly monitor social media trends, analytics and audience insights and adapt strategies and content accordingly. Support entity communications focal points to plan and maintain social media content calendars and provide guidance on branding, tone of voice and content formats.
- Design: Collaborate with internal and external design teams to create visually engaging materials that are fully aligned with BRAC’s branding and visual identity guidelines. Coordinate the production of graphics, infographics, visual stories and other creative assets for digital and print channels. Demonstrate working proficiency in design software such as Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop and Canva.
- Social and behaviour change: Provide creative and strategic support for the development of social and behaviour change communication materials. Work in close coordination with internal and external design teams, product, impact, and social performance teams and other functional leads of BI MF. Ensure that SBCC approaches are participatory, context-appropriate, gender-responsive and aligned with programme learning and evidence.
- Executive and Grant communication: Support the development of organisational messaging and positioning, develop and update talking points and speeches for leadership. Work on the report writing for key grants like the AIM program and contribute to proposal writing, when applicable.
- Learning and collaboration: Work collaboratively with BRAC International and BRAC global communications teams to ensure coherence and consistency in messaging, brand representation, social media calendars, events calendars and key campaign initiatives and act as a key liaison between country communications teams and central communications. Document lessons learned, good practices and success stories from BI MF entities and share them across the organisation.
- Supplier and partner engagement: Effectively manage partnerships with creative agencies, photographers, filmmakers, graphics designers, event management firms to procure services for communication campaigns and events. Oversee the procurement of communication-related services and products in line with BRAC’s procurement and safeguarding policies.
- Team leadership and capacity building: Provide regular coaching, mentoring and on-the-job support to country communications staff and focal points in Asia and Africa. Design and facilitate trainings and workshops on strategic communications, creative and technical writing, content production, storytelling, basic design and digital communications. Foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation within the wider communications community of practice, encouraging experimentation with new tools, platforms and approaches.
Safeguarding Responsibilities
- Ensure the safety and protection of all team members from any form of harm, abuse, neglect, harassment, or exploitation.
- Promote safeguarding awareness among team members and ensure compliance with safeguarding standards in all activities.
- Follow the safeguarding reporting procedures for any reportable incident and encourage others to adhere to the same.
Educational & Experience Requirements
- Minimum three (3) years of experience in development communications in an INGO, Foundation or another related field and space.
- Minimum five years of experience in communications, journalism or a related field.
- Degree Qualification (BA/BSc/HND).
Required Knowledge, Skills & Competencies
- Knowledge: Development communications, Social and Behaviour Change Communications, contemporary communication practices and platforms, social media analytics, microfinance, financial inclusion, global development issues and non-profit sector.
- Skills: Strategic communication, project management, event management, social media content development, public speaking, creative writing, blogging, visual storytelling, design software (Indesign, Canva and Adobe Creative suite), photography, video editing, google suites, developing presentations.
- Competencies: Facilitating group meetings, developing work and project plans, setting priorities, meeting deadlines, relationship building, empathy, stress management, analytical thinking.
- Travel: This role will entail frequent travel to the eight countries within the BI MF Network.