ODI’s Human Mobility Initiative is looking for an experienced digital specialist to support the Mayors Dialogue on growth and solidarity: reimagining human mobility in Africa and Europe, a city-led initiative led by the Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, and the Mayors of Milan, Giuseppe Sala, and working with cities across Europe and Africa.
The role
ODI are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic digital specialist to develop, shape and lead digital engagement for the Mayors Dialogue, both between the participant cities and the core partners of the initiatives, as well as externally with key policy audiences.
Key roles and responsibilities
ODI are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic digital specialist to develop, shape and lead digital engagement for the Mayors Dialogue, both between the participant cities and the core partners of the initiatives, as well as externally with key policy audiences.
The original roadmap and preparatory process towards the Mayors Dialogue itself in March 2021 was primarily based around a series of face-to-face consultation meetings; to allow cities to meet and develop the Dialogue’s policy and action agenda. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic the initiative has pivoted to become primarily digital, with the city consultations taking place virtually. A ‘digital-first’ approach is central to the strategic approach of the initiative and will be key to the sustainability and long-term impact of the Dialogue; ensuring that it fully capitalises on knowledge sharing and building collaboration between cities throughout 2020.
Building on research and engagement to date, and the first two virtual city consultations that took place in Spring and Summer 2020, we are looking for someone to develop and operationalise a strategic approach to digital engagement; supporting the delivery of the initiative virtually. A communications strategy is currently under development, with the digital specialist work building on this to develop a dedicated digital engagement plan.
Responsibilities will include:
- Building on the initiative’s communications strategy to develop a dedicated digital engagement plan, in close consultation with the ODI Senior Communications Officer, core project group and participating cities.
- Supporting the design and facilitation of three future virtual city consultations and a virtual mayors meeting, alongside providing digital support to the Mayors Dialogue itself taking place in March 2021.
- Exploring and implementing digital tools and approaches to develop an online community of cities; ensuring the virtual city consultations are ‘moments’ that form part of ongoing virtual engagement between cities.
- Overseeing the design and development of an online platform/presence for the initiative. The exact nature of this platform is to be decided, and will either be hosted on the ODI website or a standalone website.
- Exploring and producing a range of multimedia assets to engage target audiences and develop the external profile of the project.
- Providing ad-hoc advisory and digital support to core initiative partners and the participating cities as required.
Experience and skills
Must possess superb digital and communication skills, along with the ability to work on multiple projects and meet deadlines. In particular, consideration will be given to those candidates who show a variety of expertise on digital tools and virtual platforms, and are ready to take on an exciting challenge in shaping the digital engagement for this city-led initiative.
Essential
- Experience launching, building and developing online communities, ideally with a grassroots focus.
- Expertise in designing and facilitating virtual meetings; from webinar to virtual learning management experience (using tools such as Bluejeans events, Miro, Google Jamboard, Liveboard).
- Experience in developing and producing a range of multimedia content; from videos to infographics and animations.
- An entrepreneurial spirit who is ready to take on an exciting challenge and is willing to take the initiative in the daily maintenance of past webcasts and reporting information.
- Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and work in a fast-paced environment.
- Detail-oriented, excellent written and verbal skills, extremely organised and on top of conceptual event management, email and voicemail throughout the day.
Desirable
- A strong technical background, including experience as a web programmer or webmaster.
- Previous experience working with cities and city networks, or with global networks and multilateral initiatives is desirable.
- Spoken and written French is desirable.