Head of Communications

Job description

THIS IS AN UNPAID VOLUNTEERING ROLE.

Role Title: Head of Communications

Role Nature: Volunteer

Location: Home-based

The Blockchain & Climate Institute (BCI) is an international volunteer-led think tank, with 160 volunteers from around the world, supporting and advocating the application of blockchain technology in the global fight against climate change.

We are looking to recruit a highly motivated and enthusiastic VOLUNTEER to serve as the Head of Communications (unpaid role) to lead the Communications Branch under the External Affairs Bureau. This individual will build and maintain relationships with key public affairs audiences to enhance the influence, reputation, and profile of BCI.

The ideal candidate is driven and experienced, and is looking to make a difference in international climate change governance. The successful candidate will have experience in public policy, public affairs, and stakeholder engagement with a track record of successfully engaging contacts to meet objectives.

Responsibilities:

• Overseeing the BCI External Affairs Bureau – a team consisting of 3 main pillars: The advocacy and Government Relations Branch; and the Communications Branch (covering social media management, branding and design, and video production). The core functions of this role will include but are not limited to the following:

1. To support the Director-General and senior leadership team to engage effectively with senior policymakers and climate negotiators for impactful project opportunities;
2. To lead lobbying and influencing activities among Heads of State, Ministers, and parliamentarians; and
3. To identify lessons learned from BCI’s pioneering projects and translate them to guide the decision-making processes.

• Building and leading new teams to manage the future External Affairs strategic agenda. This will include:

1. To hire and manage a team of volunteers within relevant external affairs and public policy landscapes;
2. To develop and oversee the External Affairs policies;
3. To work with the ExCo to develop a strategic vision (especially the Chief Strategy Officer and his Strategy Section under the Director-General’s Office)in line with the BCI’s mission;
4. To manage other ad-hoc cross-institute external affairs as needed such as BCI’s COP26 Work Programmes;
5. To raise the profile of the BCI among audiences both within and outside the climate change policy community;
6. To develop and implement the BCI’s communications strategy;
7. To oversee communications functions including media publicity, corporate website, social media channels, production of materials for the fundraising campaign and the BCI News Service (as the Editor-in-Chief of our monthly feature in the sponsoring magazine);
8. To help identify conferences and events which would be suitable for BCI’s participation;
9. Act as the key contact at the BCI for media inquiries – Developing and maintaining good media relations.

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent oral communication skills (English and a second language would be a big plus), including the ability to develop effective working relationships, work flexibly across professional and operational boundaries, and communicate professionally with internal and external stakeholders at all levels;

• Close attention to detail;

• Excellent organizational skills and ability to balance competing demands under pressure.

• Strong depth of knowledge on topics central to the BCI such as climate change, climate finance, and blockchain technology preferred.

• A relevant degree or training in Communications, Journalism, or PR is preferred.

General & Specialist Knowledge:

• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office; and
• Strong depth of knowledge on topics central to the BCI such as climate change, climate finance, and blockchain technology preferred.

Education & Training:

• A relevant degree or training in Communications, Journalism, or PR is preferred.

Relevant Experience:

• Proven ability to co-ordinate media campaigns and communications strategies in an environment-related organization(s);
• Experience in building constructive relationships with stakeholders;
• Experience in working independently and with teams to drive forward projects and campaigns using one’s own initiative.

What difference will you make?

Blockchain and other emerging technologies, as well as climate change and sustainability - are two hot topic groups that have been headlining media outlets, dominating conferences & events, and gaining increasing traction in research and pilot projects. BCI is here as an expert platform to help governments, inter-governmental and regional organizations as well as relevant corporates to negotiate the complex landscape of emerging technologies for environmental good. We cement our expertise by putting in the hard work in researching, identifying, and analyzing the applications of emerging technologies so that informed decisions can be made by the stakeholders in the climate change and action network.

One of the most important aspects of BCI’s mission is to support legislators and policymakers to create an enabling environment for the adoption of distributed ledger technologies. To that end, this opportunity will deepen BCI’s research on the interaction between existing policy frameworks and innovative technologies.

Benefits you will get from volunteering with BCI are enormous and some include:

• You will hone or learn new skills including research, presentation, writing, professional etiquette,
• Your mind will be mentally stimulated, hence providing you with a sense of purpose;
• You will advance and boost your professional career by helping you to make professional connections and giving you real-world experience at the intersection between climate and emerging technologies; and
• Help you develop long-lasting professional relationships with others. People who come together to make the world a better place forge a close connection.

Selection Process

As a voluntary organization, we are pleased to open the door for candidates who may not have the prior experience they need to start, progress, or switch their careers. To recruit the most suitable, talented, or potential new members out of the volume of applications received, it is the BCI’s policy to also consider inexperienced candidates to fill our voluntary unpaid roles as long as they can demonstrate the skills required in the written assessment. In the selection process, most candidates will be invited to complete the following assessment.

Section A: Verbal and Numerical Reasoning (20 multiple-choice questions)

Section B: Situation Judgement Test (20 multiple-choice questions)

Section C: In-Tray Exercise (An open-ended assessment relevant to the duties of the role)

Candidates who pass all three sections will be invited to attend a phone screening, first interview, and final interview online.