Communications Manager, Project Seahorse

Staff - Non Union

Job Category
M&P - AAPS

Job Profile
AAPS Salaried - Information Services, Level A

Job Title
Communications Manager, Project Seahorse

Department
Research | Vincent | Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries | Faculty of Science

Compensation Range
$5,622.33 - $8,081.00 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date
June 14, 2024

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date

Jul 31, 2025

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Project Seahorse (PS) is a leader in marine conservation, making discoveries & collaborating globally to take effective action for seahorses and their seas. The organization is committed to conservation and sustainable use of the world’s coastal marine ecosystems, and has won significant awards for its unusual blend of research and management at scales ranging from community initiatives to international accords. Project Seahorse collaborates with a wide range of stakeholders and partners globally to build capacity for conservation, with a focus on saving seahorses, establishing marine protected areas, limiting problem fisheries and regulating wildlife trade.

FUNCTION

Leads Project Seahorse communications, writing diverse content for varied audiences and organizing and facilitating communications projects.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

The employee will report directly to the PS Director. They will also work closely with other Project Seahorse team members and collaborators based in Canada and internationally.

WORK PERFORMED

• Helps develop PS communication strategies
• Develops messaging about Project Seahorse research, management and policy initiatives
• Selects the communications channels to convey information to diverse audiences
• Converts PS technical contributions into a wide variety of materials (and media) appropriate for different audiences, from magazines and reports to donors and decision-makers
• Develops content and tools for various media, oral and visual (e.g., videos, podcasts, newsletters, policy briefs, written reports) 

• Creates communications content and tools for the IUCN Species Survival Commission Seahorse Pipefish and Seadragon Specialist Group – SPS SG), hosted by Project Seahorse
• Writes and posts content for Project Seahorse and SPS SG websites and social media channels

• Mobilises journalists and influencers to cover Project Seahorse and SPS SG stories
• Establishes links to communications colleagues in collegiate agencies, groups and organizations around the world, engaging in reciprocal support for communications on marine conservation

• Plans, budgets and coordinates larger communications projects that involve different resources and logistics
• Oversees contract agreements issued to external collaborators to advance communications projects

• Supports PS Director, PS Program Leader and other team members in communication needs
• Develops and executes communications and media training for Project Seahorse and SPS SG members
• Writes and edits grant applications to advance specific communications work for PS

EXERCISING JUDGEMENT/IMPACT OF DECISIONS

This position represents Project Seahorse, the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, the University of British Columbia and our donors, partners and collaborators. This staff member is required to exercise professional judgment, maturity, collegiality and initiative while undertaking all responsibilities and developing relationships. Inappropriate actions, errors in performance or indiscretions in judgment could negatively impact our working relationships and credibility with a range of communities, locally and globally, and might result in negative public relations and/or jeopardize Project Seahorse, IOF and/or UBC’s reputation.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Reports to Project Seahorse Director. Works with considerable latitude on agreed tasks and projects, individually as well as within a team environment. Work is reviewed against achievement of project objectives.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

• May manage staff and volunteers in communications work
• May direct work of external service providers

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum four years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Experience with not-for-profit communications
• Experience with a wide range of media (e.g. videos, podcasts, infographics) and social media
• Demonstrated ability to convert technical knowledge into stories (and other outputs) accepted and published by diverse outlets
• Experience with planning and coordinating multi-actor projects
• Familiarity with diverse countries and cultures, especially in Africa, Asia and/or Latin America
• Experience in working with a range of interested actors, such as representatives from non-governmental organizations, government and industry
• Familiarity with issues in marine conservation
• Familiarity with issues in fisheries

Skills

• Must know how to complete work to deadlines
• Must be highly organised with great attention to detail
• Must have good interpersonal and diplomatic skills
• Must maintain a high level of professionalism in all interactions
• Must be able to work independently on assigned tasks
• Must be flexible and perform well under pressure
• Must have a positive attitude and be a team player
• Must be willing and prepared to work after hours when required, especially for calls and Zoom meetings with colleagues and collaborators in different time zones
• Must be willing and able to travel internationally for several weeks at a time
• Good computer management and graphic skills
• Fluency in Cantonese, Mandarin, French and/or Spanish highly valued