SALARY: SG11
REPORTING TO: Chief Executive Officer
LOCATION: Head Office
HOURS OF WORK: 40 hours per week, may require to work outside working hours
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Context and Background
The Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) Head of Communication & Outreach (HCO) will oversee and manage SIF’s internal and external communication channels. SIF protects and manages Seychelles’ two UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Vallée de Mai and Aldabra Atoll) and the Fond Ferdinand. The main aim of this position is to help raise awareness on the sites SIF manages, as well as equally communicating the role, effort, challenges and successes of SIF’s work (research, projects, operations and logistics, tourism, education and outreach, national policy review, participation in national and international engagements). The (HCO) is based at the SIF Head Office on Mahé. The HCO will work directly with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and manage/supervise the Communication Officer (CO), based at the SIF Head Office on Mahé and Education and Outreach programme Officer, based at the Vallée de Mai Visitor centre on Praslin, developing key communication, education and outreach materials as well activities and setting tasks. The HCO will also work and liaise with the Head of Commerce & Tourism (HCT), to ensure SIF’s communications and marketing objectives are aligned and in general SIF’s Public Relations are of the highest standards.
The HCO will supervise the CO’s regular tasks (social media posts, internal communication initiatives, website updates, education and outreach activities) as well as compile and edit SIF’s monthly newsletters, write and edit SIF press releases, write and edit speeches, write, compile and design SIF annual reports as well as organise SIF’s virtual and in person education and outreach events, while also planning SIF’s communication and outreach activities and reporting on them. You will develop channels of communications with team members across the Foundation, and national and international partners of SIF, working closely with the CEO, Head of Departments/Coordinators/Managers facilitating SIF’s internal and external communications. The post will provide plenty of opportunities for professional and personal development.
Duties and Responsibilities
Overall responsibility
The overall responsibility of this position is to promote SIF’s mission and improve public and stakeholder perception of SIF through the development of an effective public communication and awareness raising programme for SIF, Seychelles’ two UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Fond Ferdinand.
Communication
• Oversee the publication of SIF’s annual reports (using written sections from relevant staff members) by the end of the first quarter of the following year. The HCO will compile, edit and follow up the design and printing process in collaboration with CEO and Director for Research and Conservation (DRC) and CO.
• Compile and circulate SIF regular (monthly) newsletters (circulated via Mailchimp) to be produced by the third week of each following month. Material (newsletter based on activities and communication with staff at sites) to be collected from team members as well as written and edited by CC for. The CC is to work with the DRC, CO and Heads of Departments (HoDs) and at the CEO’s discretion, on design and content of newsletter.
• Coordinate the maintenance and update (provide regular website updates to sections including News, Meet the Team, Research, Projects, Downloads and Vacancies) of SIF’s website including sourcing necessary expertise for this and providing all information/photo and videography.
• Write articles and press releases for appropriate national and international publications to inform the public of SIF initiatives, projects, activities and results.
• Liaise with local and international journalists, filmmakers, media houses and press who wish to work with SIF or cover its sites, teams, projects and various aspects of work, ensuring SIF is presented in the best light and most if not all opportunities are sought or seized.
• Assist the CO ensure SIF’s digital presence (on social media: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn) and other sites (TripAdvisor, YouTube, etc) showcases the best of SIF’s work and that shared content accessible, engaging and factful as well as in line with SIF’s branding and standards.
• Assist the CO with the compilation and editing of the SIF internal newsletter ‘Zaksyon’ while also ensuring other internal SIF communication initiatives (WhatsApp groups etc) are well maintained and kept update.
• In collaboration with relevant staff, develop brochures and publicity material (logos, posters, infographics, videos and films) for SIF’s sites, and any SIF projects and initiatives.
• Organise, run and participate in local and international education and outreach events such as virtual classrooms, night safaris’, fairs and festivals, being mindful of environmental and other SIF relevant theme days and anniversaries working closely with EOPO, CO and sites.
• Initiate and coordinate public awareness campaigns including, for example, improving awareness of Aldabra’s ecosystem services for Seychelles and the region, increasing the understanding of SIF’s work at the Vallée de Mai and Fond Ferdinand and its significance amongst Praslinois, gaining public support for invasive species and restoration projects and overall protection.
• Conduct interviews about SIF activities for television and radio as appropriate and approved.
• Represent SIF at national and international public events, meetings and workshops and give presentations as appropriate.
• Source information on funding, sponsoring and publicity partnership avenues and follow up as appropriate.
• Follow, review and complete the SIF’s Communications Strategy.
• Wherever possible build SIF staff capacity to communicate.
Education and Outreach
• Coordinate with the EOPO and CO on SIF’s Education and Outreach Programme for its sites including educational displays and experiences in the Vallée de Mai, Aldabra and Fond Ferdinand for local and international visitors.
• Review existing visitor information and guidance concept (information posts, panels, visitors leaflet etc.) and establish an appropriate information concept, liaising with the designer.
• Coordinate appropriate activities to celebrate environmental theme days/weeks/years for the two World Heritage sites and report on these.
• Work with the Education and Outreach Programme Officer concerning outreach and educational activities with schools (kids and teachers) and local communities on Praslin.
• Introduce and promote the idea of volunteering for World Heritage to the local communities.
Administration
• Compile and keep detailed records of contacts for SIF network of staff, Trustees, supporters, associates, journalists and stakeholders as well as relevant local organisations.
• Ensure SIF supporters and stakeholders are kept up to date SIF activities through ‘communication packages’ with, e.g., newsletters, reports, scientific papers (and hard copies where appropriate), and keep records of all communication and information sent.
• Follow up promptly all communications with potential funders, supporters, casual enquiries and tourists.
• Work with the CEO and HCT on the drafting and signing of photography and filming agreements in SIF’s sites.
• Create and compile communication annual reports and communication effectiveness assessments.
• Create and follow Communication Annual Workplans, based on other HoD’s annual workplans as well create and follow a budget for SIF’s Communication Department.
• Review EOPO Workplan and ensure EOPO monthly reports are circulated.
• Attend and actively participate in SIF management as well as other site and project focused meetings.
• Ensure SIF social media policy and photography/film agreements with staff are followed.
• Ensure all communication guidelines (for newsletters, social media, etc) are reviewed, kept up to date and circulated, shared with new staff.
• Update and maintain the SIF Communications and Outreach Coordinator Handover
• Manage the info@sif.sc and events@sif.sc with the CO, in addition to communications@sif.sc
• Assist with any other tasks set by the CEO or requested by fellow HoDs.
Qualifications
Minimum BSc in a subject related to the post (English, Creative Writing, Marketing, Communications, Politics and Public Relations etc), with a Masters in any of the relevant fields preferred. Qualifications in software programmes such as web design, graphic design, media and communications would be assets.
Professional Experience:
• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in communication/public relations in the public and/or private industry is required;
• Proven interest and preferably work experience in environmental issues/conservation;
• Some international experience is preferred;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Experience or willingness to acquire knowledge in website maintenance/management.
Skills
• Professionalism – skills that indicate capacity to achieve overall goals for range of projects;
• Communications – Excellent communication skills and effective interpersonal skills;
• Ability to communicate to a range of different audiences and via different mediums;
• Teamwork – ability to work with several people on different projects and interpret;
• Commitment and diligence;
• Fully computer literate in word processing, presentation, photographic and web design programmes.
Languages
Fluency in English and Creole are essential and knowledge of French and additional languages are an asset.
Apply now with an application form (which can be downloaded from our website, or collected at Mont Fleuri or Vallée de Mai Visitor Centre), your C.V. & a cover letter sent to elvis.alphonse@sif.sc or info@sif.sc. Kindly note deadline for application is 9th June, 2025.