Senior Manager Communications and Engagement

About the Opportunity

The Senior Manager Communications and Engagement is a key leadership role responsible for setting and executing IW’s communication strategy and fostering effective stakeholder engagement. The role delivers on the Australian Government’s communications and public diplomacy expectations for IW, and supports achievement of the program’s end of program outcomes.

The Senior Manager is a reliable advisor to the CEO and senior leadership team, providing strategic communications and stakeholder engagement advice.

Reporting directly to CEO, this position provides strategic leadership to the communications team. The Senior Manager will be responsible for building a cohesive and high-performing communications team and fostering collaboration to deliver strategic, consistent and impactful communications and engagement at the country and whole of program levels.

The geographically dispersed team is comprised of two Communications and Engagement Managers (in Vietnam and the Philippines) and a part-time Website Coordinator. There is also dotted-line supervision of a Policy Partnerships, and Communications and Engagement Manager (Indonesia).

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategy setting and execution:
  • Implement the communications strategy and, in consultation with the CEO, refresh the strategy as needed to ensure it evolves to meet the program’s requirements.
  • Identify and deliver on strategic communications and engagement opportunities to demonstrate IW’s impact.
  • Understand DFAT’s communication preferences and priorities (in Canberra and program countries) and ensure IW content is valued and useful.
• Reputation and brand management:
  • Ensure IW’s communications and engagement activities contribute to strengthening and protecting the Australian Government’s brand and reputation.
  • Ensure consistent application of the IW brand across all communications to ensure a professional brand identity.
• Team leadership:
  • Manage and mentor the communications team, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team.
  • Provide clear expectations and a supportive environment, enabling the team to deliver high standard, strategic communications.
• Internal Collaboration:
  • Work closely with functional teams, including the IW Workstreams; Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning; Knowledge Management; and Country Leads to identify strategic communications opportunities and to ensure alignment and consistency in messaging.
• Stakeholder engagement: 
  • Ensure the communications team prioritises DFAT and is responsive to their requirements and requests.
  • Ensure the program is appropriately engaging with key stakeholder groups to increase understanding of IW’s impact.
• Digital communications:
  • Ensure digital channels are effectively and efficiently engaging key stakeholders.
  • Oversee development of strategic social media plans that identify purpose, audiences, content and tactics for each channel.
  • Ensure the website delivers an up to date and accessible Knowledge Hub.
• Monitoring and analysis:
  • Oversee reporting and analysis of the effectiveness of communication activities, providing reporting as required.
  • Use data to inform continuous improvement.
• Budget Management:
  • Manage the communications budget effectively, ensuring compliant procurement and value for money approaches.
• Crisis communications:
  • Develop an IW crisis communication plan to support DFAT’s crisis management.

Employment type and location:  A citizen role, but open to others who have legal right to work in country under a local compensation package.  Based in Manila, Philippines.

Duration:  Up to 30 June 2027; anticipated to commence in July 2025.

About You

We are seeking an experienced and strategic communications professional who brings:

• Demonstrated experience in developing and executing strategic communications in a complex, multi-country or donor-funded program context.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with a proven ability to build and guide a high-performing team.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills, including experience working with government agencies, donors (preferably DFAT), and regional partners.
• Experience in digital communications strategy, brand management, and using analytics to drive continuous improvement.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to advise senior leaders and represent the program effectively.

Key Selection Criteria

For your application to be considered by the Panel, interested applicants must submit a response to each of the following Key Selection Criteria (KSC):

KSC 1.

Bachelor’s degree in communication, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism or a related field. Master’s degree in a relevant field is preferable, or more than eight years’ relevant work experience. 

KSC 2.

Demonstrated experience delivering strategic communications and stakeholder engagement, including at a senior level. Responsibility for developing and executing communication strategies that have delivered measurable results.

KSC 3.

Experience in team leadership, including complex team structures (across functional units and/or geographies). Experience leading teams through change.

KSC 4.

A deep understanding of best practice strategic communications, including leveraging digital communications, and sophisticated approach to stakeholder engagement.

KSC 5.

Demonstrated experience working with high value clients, preferably government agencies, and successfully delivering to their expectations.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single requirement for a position. At Abt Global we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every role requirement, we encourage you to apply in any case. You may be just the right candidate for this or for other roles.

How to Apply

We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from experienced and capable women.

Please submit your application online. copy this link: 

https://egpy.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/JoinAbt/job/106500/?utm_medium=jobshare&utm_source=External+Job+Share

Please submit your application online.  Upload your cover letter, CV and response to the KSCs.  Submit your CV and KSC response as a single Word or PDF document, and address how you meet the requirements of this role. We are unable to proceed with an application without the KSC statements.

Closing Date: 6 July 2025, Sunday (GMT+8)

Please note that applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and interviews may be conducted before the closing date. IW reserves the right to close this advertisement early if we have identified suitable candidates

About Us

Abt Global is a mission-driven, global leader with a proven track record in complex program implementation in the international development sector. We offer bold solutions and technical excellence in Health, Economic Growth, Governance, Research & Evaluation, Environment & Energy, Gender Equality & Social Inclusion. Working with our many partners, we have driven measurable social impact for more than 55 years, to achieve our mission of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of people worldwide. We operate in remote and challenging environments and employ more than 3,700 staff in over 50 countries. For more information about us and what we do, visit our website at www.abtglobal.com

Equity

Abt Global values individuality and celebrates difference with a strong commitment to diversity, equality, racial equity, gender, and disability inclusion. We strongly encourage people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply for this position. We offer flexible work arrangements and a culturally safe environment for staff members from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.

Safeguarding

We are deeply committed to safeguarding, to protect and prevent harm and abuse to individuals we work for and who work for us. Our recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. We will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, child abuse, sexual abuse or exploitation in any form, and expect everyone to be treated with respect and dignity.