Communications Specialist

**Note: Interviews will be held on a rolling basis, and the position will remain open until it is filled**

Introduction

Ipas Pakistan is an international non-governmental organization (INGO) which works to assist the Government of Pakistan in achieving the country's commitment towards the Sustainable Development Goal 3 (good health and wellbeing). It seeks to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity associated with complications due to unsafe practices. We collaborate with provincial governments to provide technical assistance and support for strengthening the public and private healthcare system.

Job Summary

This position is responsible for enhancing Ipas Pakistan's reputation through increased visibility of its work among key audiences relevant to its mission in Pakistan and globally. This position works to promote Ipas's mission, expert resources, and to generate positive social/media coverage. A major focus of this role will be to increase Ipas' visibility on social media and online websites, with frequent and appropriate content. It will be responsible for managing the Ipas Pakistan website. Another substantial part of the role will be to lead the coordination of key external events. It will also be responsible for national media coverage, and managing crisis communication (such as during times of humanitarian or other emergencies) when necessary.

This position also works closely with the Ipas global Communications staff, as well as staff around the network to provide support to teams on how to showcase and represent the Ipas brand with specific audiences through a variety of mediums. Success in this position lies in possessing strong expertise in external communications and experience in managing social/media engagement with attention to risk management to protect Ipas' brand for continued operational presence in Pakistan. A proactive approach, creative problem-solving skills, critical thinking and ability to work at a fast pace to produce high quality deliverables will be among the critical success factors in this position.

Primary Responsibilities:

Communications

• Develop and implement the Ipas Pakistan communication and visibility strategy in a risk-managed manner.
• Embrace and understand the Ipas brand, and how to contextualize and convey that through all communications efforts, materials and channels for key audiences.
• Manage Ipas Pakistan's presence of official digital channels (like Facebook, YouTube, Linkedin) in a risk-managed manner suitable for Pakistan's diverse local contexts and aligned to Ipas' global brand requirements.
• Develop compelling online content for publishing on the Ipas Pakistan and Ipas global website and social media.
• Write and coordinate other articles/factsheets to publish on other websites such as ReliefWeb, Devex and others to promote Ipas' brand.
• Lead the production of promotional materials, social media, news articles, web page content, and other communications products in a variety of media as needed to advance Ipas's brand, impact, work, and relationships with partners.
• Lead the production or coordination of podcasts and short video clips of Ipas Pakistan's work.
• Prepare case studies, project briefs, factsheets and situation reports.
• Prepare brochures, project briefs, factsheets, situation reports, periodic reports such as annual reports and newsletters. This includes proactively ensuring that up-to-date individual project briefs, country node overall brief, and factsheets are available at all times.
• Work with program team to identify stories and innovations from Ipas Pakistan that highlight Ipas's impact and work with external audiences.
• Liaise with Ipas global Comms and business Development units to co-create appealing communications strategies and products that increase donor and partner engagement at a national and global level.
• Provides critical thinking, project management, evaluation, and contextual guidance on new communications projects to ensure both brand democracy and brand adherence.
• Help to translate technical content into shareable content for dissemination to diverse audiences, including donors and partners, and nontechnical audiences.
• Prepare presentations, speeches, talking points and supporting materials for Ipas' contributions at international, regional and national conferences.

Projects' Communications

• Develop communication strategies/plans for Ipas Pakistan's individual projects as needed.
• Review projects' IEC material to support their user-friendliness for target audiences.

Media Engagement

• Identify target media outlets and key journalists to establish relationships with and secure coverage.
• Lead and support the team in brainstorming and developing creative media and communications campaigns to achieve organizational goals.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with select national and global media contacts, including print, online and broadcast journalists, editors, and producers.
• Act as the primary point of contact (but not authorized spokesperson) for media inquiries and coordinate responses with relevant stakeholders.
• Organize interviews, press briefings, and media events to promote Ipas programs and initiatives.
• Lead the design, production, and dissemination of publications, reports, videos, and other branded materials.
• S/he is responsible for writing media releases, organizing press conferences and placing key Ipas staff in the media, and works with the Country Director on strategic communications, all with prior written approval of the CD.
• Monitor social media channels to identify trends in SRHR issues and/or threats to Ipas work.
• Develop talking points on Ipas's mission and intersectional work.
• Collaborate with teams to ensure consistent messaging and alignment of communication efforts.
• Work with the global teams to communicate on policies and that support and  protect reproductive health and rights.

Event Management

• Plan and lead the organization of regular events and online events (such as webinars etc.) including conceptualization, preparation of talking points and presentations and circulation to invite maximum participation.

Other Duties

• Plan and manage communications budget, including brief reports on work completed.
• Procure services of external vendors as required and manage their work.
• Support the Country Director and senior management team in internal communications if required.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements:

Qualifications

Minimum:

• Bachelor's degree with significant relevant experience in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Media Studies, International Relations or related field will also be considered.

Preferred

• Master's degree in relevant area will be preferred.

Experience

Minimum:

• 5–7 years of progressive experience in communications, media relations, or public affairs, preferably with international NGOs or development organizations.
• Proven experience in managing organizational visibility through social media platforms, websites, and digital campaigns.
• Strong track record of engaging with national and international media, including managing press relations and securing coverage.
• Experience in event planning and coordination of high-level external events.
• Exposure to crisis communication and risk management, ideally in humanitarian or sensitive contexts.
• Experience working in multicultural and global team, with an understanding of brand management and reputation protection.

Preferred:

• Relevant experience in communications within the reproductive health and rights sector in Pakistan
• Proven experience in managing communications for humanitarian programs, including during emergencies.

Skills and Competencies

Minimum:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Urdu, with the ability to tailor messaging for diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to design and implement impactful social media campaigns, including creating engaging, audience-specific content, tracking performance through analytics, and leveraging trends to maximize visibility.
• Website management expertise (e.g., WordPress or other CMS platforms).
• Excellent skill in Microsoft Office (especially Word, PowerPoint) and Google Suite.
• Proficiency in graphic design, photography and/or video editing tools to document program activities.
• Good videography skills to capture short 2-3 minute videos of program activities, events and supervise the work of external communication consultants.
• Ability to anticipate and manage risk of external communications to protect the organisation's reputation.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement communication strategies and plans aligned with organizational goals.
• Proficiency in marketing automation tools, content management systems (CMS), social media platforms.
• Ability to analyze data to understand campaign performance, identify trends, and make data-driven recommendations.
• Creative problem-solving, adaptability, and ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with media, stakeholders, and internal teams.
• High cultural sensitivity, integrity, and ability to manage reputational risks.
• Consistently ensures accuracy, quality, and precision in all communication outputs and deliverables.
• Effectively manages multiple, competing priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred:

• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Strategic thinking and ability to align communications with organizational goals.
• Ability to revamp/redesign organizational website.

Ipas is strongly committed to providing a work environment that is free from all forms of harassment, discrimination, and inequity.  We recruit, employ, train, promote, and compensate our personnel without regard to race, age, sex, religion, national origin, color, creed, ancestry, citizenship, caste, ethnicity, regional identity, tribal identity, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, transgender status, sexual orientation, or any other personal characteristic protected by law or outlined by Ipas policy. Ipas acknowledges that these personal characteristics may differ in different contexts.