Call for applications. Communication and Resources Mobilization Specialist. The Land Portal Foundation

Communication and Resources Mobilization Specialist

The Land Portal Foundation

Organization Profile

The Land Portal foundation is a non-profit organization headquartered in Groningen, The Netherlands.

Launched in March 2011 as a global hub for access land information the Land Portal allows for the collection, sourcing, and searching of otherwise fragmented and inaccessible data and information on land governance and land use from diverse sources, produced by governments, academia, international organizations, indigenous peoples and NGOs. The Land Portal brings together content from over 70 partner organisations.

In addition to documenting land rights, the Portal also encourages social information exchange, debate and networking. By combining public data, published information, and first-hand knowledge, the portal has built a strong foundation as the online destination for land information.

The Land Portal Foundation has set out an ambitious new strategy for 2014-2017 to become an open development platform, working to improve land governance to the benefit of those with the most insecure land rights and the greatest vulnerability to landlessness.
 

 Land Portal Theory of Change

Job description: 

A key role of the new Land Portal Coordination Unit is that of the Communications and Resource Mobilization Specialist. (S)He will be responsible for supporting the communication and media needs of the new Land Portal as well as  explore new prospective funding opportunities.

Communication
The candidate will manage diverse issues, from developing a range of communication tools, including newsletters, blogs, annual reports and other publications, to helping with the organisation of events and conferences, including online events and discussions. An important part of the function consists of making use of e-communication tools and website content to disseminate the message of the Land Portal. 
(S)He will also develop relationships with potential stakeholders and partners. In this latter role and in the need to identify important information emanating from other forms of collaboration and incorporate it in the Portal, it is projected that 70% of this person’s time working on the portal will be dedicated to developing the Land Book.

Resource mobilization
An important element of the Portal is to constantly evolve and incorporate new products, relationships and resources necessary to help it meet its goals. The candidate will therefore not only develop new ideas for collaborating with others, but will also cultivate opportunities to secure additional financial support for the Land Portal. (S)He will be responsible for a combination of activities, including the identification of funding support opportunities, the production of funding applications as appropriate -  and according to priorities decided by the coordinator in consultation with the board, participation in the planning of more significant new programs in collaboration with partners.

More precisely, the successful candidate will be expected to perform the following:

Principal role and responsibilities

Communications:

• Articulate the Land Portal's desired image and positioning, via consistent messaging to key audiences of internal and external stakeholders;
• Contribute to network building and enhancing relationships, with the partner networks, technical advisors and research staff, ensuring developments are consistently translated into  strategic communications vehicles that impact targeted stakeholders;
• Develop and support global media strategies. Act as a spokesperson with the media;
• Lead the improvement of communications methodologies, processes and tools;
• Support new focal organizations to build communications and media competencies, increase their knowledge of the Land Portal and Open data, and develop communications programmes within a global framework, appropriate to local specificities
• Deliver on budget, staffing and operational plans for the communications programme and its activities;
• Keep abreast of developments and innovations in the fields of communications and new media. Use this information to inform strategy and actions in the area of communications;
• Undertake other tasks that are consistent with the level and responsibilities of this post.  

With respect to Resource Mobilisation, the Programme Officer is specifically responsible for supporting the director in coordinating the implementation of the Resource Mobilisation Strategy, through:

1.  research and analysis of donor policies and international development trends to identify funding opportunities;
2. developing recommendations for fundraising to support the annual/multiyear work plan and budget based on forecasting donor prospects and providing information upon which the Land Portal can determine the level of funding gap that may be achieved;
3. draft donor concept notes and develop full proposals to donors in collaboration with  and based on inputs from the Land Portal staff, board  and partners;
4. liaising with and presenting the Land Portal's work to prospective donors;
5. researching and disseminating information on funding opportunities that may directly support  Land Portal partners.

 
Qualifications and skills

The ideal candidate will have:

• Ten years’ experience working at a senior level in a communications role, including responsibility for developing and implementing organizational communications strategies;
• Proven track record in media relations, and specifically in international development media handling at a senior level;
• Experienced advocate of Open Data, Linked Open Data and information technology
• Proven track record in a management roles;
• Extensive experience working for membership or partner networks.
• Excellent linguistic skills, with expert knowledge of English and good knowledge of French or Spanish/Portuguese;
• The ability to prepare effective communication for a wide variety of audiences, conveying information and opinions in a structured and credible way and taking account of political and cultural sensitivities;
• A university degree and/or professional experience with relevant knowledge of communications/journalism;
• Media and Communication-savvy with experience in writing/editing;
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills;
• Enthusiastic about shaping the public and media debate on land and development issues; 
• Excellent written and verbal English skills, able to handle communication in French and Spanish.
• In depth knowledge / experience working on Land Governance and familiarity with global land related developments and communities.
• Demonstrable ability to drive forward work on own initiative and decision-making including priority setting;
• Experience in the management of complex, multi-stakeholder project delivery on time and within the budget;  

Reporting

The Land Portal Researcher / data analyst Officer will be working in close liaison and under the direct supervision of the Land Portal Coordinator and will  be accountable to the Chair, Secretary and other Board members of the LP Foundation. 
 

Position

This position will be staffed on a full time basis  for one year with the possibility of extension. This is a project position sponsored by project funds. In the event project funds are no longer available, the position will be terminated. The terms of this contract will be contingent upon the project donor contract.

The official language for this position is English.
 

How to apply

Applicants should send a CV and a cover letter to laura.meggiolaro@landportal.info
Deadline: 16 February

While we sincerely appreciate all applications, only those candidates selected for interview will be contacted.