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Communications Specialist – Communications Strategy (ASCENT Sudan)

Allied Talent Partners
2 days ago
Contract
Remote
South Africa
Allied Talent Partners (ATP), a Three Cairns Group initiative, is a mission-driven, not-for-profit talent marketplace focused on solving the human capital bottlenecks slowing down sustainable development efforts in emerging economies, with an initial focus on Africa. ATP connects vetted, experienced, context-relevant professionals to high-impact opportunities in energy access and sustainable development – strengthening local capacity and fuelling economic vitality. We specialize in fixed-term, deliverable-driven engagements – from interim leadership and generalist projects to niche technical expertise – handling project scoping, talent vetting and matching, contracting, payroll, and compliance so that our clients can focus on impact.


High-Level Overview

The client is implementing a donor-funded results-based financing programme in Sudan focused on distributed renewable energy and digital access, delivered in partnership with a multilateral development partner. The programme involves a wide range of stakeholders including private sector participants, government and regulatory actors, local/state authorities, partners and funders, and beneficiary communities in a fragile operating environment.

The client is seeking a Communications Specialist to develop a practical, implementable Communications Strategy and Action Plan for the programme. The work will be completed over approximately six weeks, and will result in a strategy, action plan, and a small set of core communications products in English. The strategy must align with existing programme brand guidelines and consider any partner and country-context sensitivities, including “dos and don’ts” for programme visibility and messaging in Sudan

Role and Responsibilities


Role: Communications Specialist – Communications Strategy Development
Direct Report: TDF Programme Manager (with matrix to TDF Executive Directors)
Candidates Required: 1

Key Deliverables:
  • Strategy development and stakeholder alignment
    • Review relevant programme documents and inputs; validate stakeholder mapping, priority audiences, and key messages.
    • Develop a comprehensive Communications Strategy that sets out:
      • Clear objectives aligned to programme priorities
      • Priority audiences and core messaging
      • Recommended channels and priority communications products
      • Defined governance, approval, and spokesperson arrangements
      • A structured approach to stakeholder engagement, grievance handling, and crisis response
      • A phased implementation roadmap with KPIs
  • Action planning and implementation toolkit
    • Produce a 12–24-month Communications Action Plan with timelines, resourcing needs, and responsibilities.
    • Create core communications materials: programme one-pager, RBF explainer, and community FAQs.
  • Engagement and iteration
    • Run a structured kickoff and workplan, engage relevant internal teams and external counterparts (including the multilateral partner task team), and iterate drafts based on feedback through to final approval and presentation.

Requirements


Experience Required:
  • Minimum 8 years’ experience in strategic communications for development or infrastructure programmes.
  • Proven experience preparing communications strategies for donor-funded or multi-stakeholder projects.
  • Experience in fragile/conflict-affected contexts preferred
Technical Requirements:
  • Strong strategy writing and content development skills.
  • Ability to build a strategy from scratch
  • Ability to align to existing brand guidelines and governance/approval workflows
Other Skills:
  • Strong stakeholder management across internal programme teams, in-house communications, and external partners.
  • Sound judgement and sensitivity in politically complex contexts.
  • Structured, delivery-focused approach to producing a high-quality final document
Working Arrangement
Location: Remote; location flexible, with preference for candidates with Sudan context/experience
Travel: Periodic travel, as required by programme needs.

Terms of agreement:
Start Date: To be confirmed
Contracting Period:6-8 weeks