PR & Communications Manager

PR & Communications Manager

OVERVIEW

In the past a variety of international indicators such as the World Bank Doing Business Indicators (DBI) and the World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Indicators (GCI) have indicated that access to finance in Jordan is insufficient particularly for SMEs. Additionally, the chronic and increasing level of national unemployment, particularly youth unemployment, has further exacerbated the need for investment tools to facilitate new company establishment and the resulting job creation. As such, the World Bank and the Central Bank of Jordan have established a Fund of Funds called the Innovative Startups and SMEs Support Fund (ISSF).

The ISSF was established to mobilize and direct risk capital in Jordan towards supporting innovative SMEs. Supporting innovative SMEs is seen as a potentially effective means to build on Jordan’s national investment in education through the creation and support of sustainably competitive new businesses. In addition, the ISSF is tasked with supporting the start-up and entrepreneurial eco-system as a means to accelerate and support the establishment of new companies and mitigate the risks inherent to early-stage businesses.

ABOUT THE INNOVATIVE STARTUPS & SMES FUND

The Innovative Startups and SMEs Support Fund (ISSF) aims to mobilize and increase early-stage equity finance for innovative small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) in Jordan. ISSF puts into practice the first recommendation of the Jordanian Economic Policy Council to set up a fund to facilitate financing for innovative startups and SMEs in an effort to increase the level of startups with high-growth potential. The fund was established and is to be managed based on best international investment practices.

The ISSF is designed to mobilize Jordanian capital to support Jordanian innovative companies through equity investments. ISSF accomplishes this by matching the equity investments of lead investors in innovative start-ups and SMEs. This effectively de-risks seed, early stage and venture capital investments by freeing up capital to diversify investment risks.

Additionally, the ISSF supports the creation of investment funds through investment in existing or new funds. ISSF hopes to impose a professional discipline on fund managers (existing and new) enabling them to better serve the start-up and SME domain.

Finally, the ISSF has funds allocated for the support of the ecosystem, to enable the increased creation and support of innovative start-ups and SMEs. ISSF support targets existing service providers, incubators, accelerators seeking to support SMEs, entrepreneurship and the innovation space.

US$50 million investment from the World Bank (WB) and US$48 million in co-financing from the Central bank of Jordan (CBJ), has brought the total working capital of the ISSF to US$98 million.

The ISSF’s initial investment strategy will be to use a combination of direct investments in SMEs alongside private investment funds seeking to leverage financing on specific deals, and indirect investment in SMEs through funds. Initial selection criteria for all investments, Financial Management detailed guidelines, and an overview of the Fund can be found in the Project Operations Manual (POM) http://www.jlgc.com/sites/default/files/pom_update.pdf

ABOUT THE POSITION

We seek a highly organized, self-directed, and detail-oriented PR & communications manager to work with the entrepreneurial and investment community in Jordan. The individual will work collaboratively with a broad range of constituencies, including investors, entrepreneurs, public officials, media and others while playing a significant role in developing and promoting ISSF's message.

The PR & communications manager will be part of a small, but highly effective ISSF staff, and will be largely responsible for the ISSF's marketing and communications strategy and execution but will need to be flexible in supporting other core functions of the ISSF. This position reports to the CEO directly.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Build and develop a public relations strategy, complete with goals and budget.
• Communicating with key stakeholders about the Jordan entrepreneurial and investment community.
• Build and maintain relationships with a wide array of media personnel
• Craft brand stories, across a range of platforms, to promote company presence and improve engagement
• Manage the flow of internal communications and ensuring the sharing of the announcements across appropriate channels.
• Ensuring an annual marketing and communications plan is developed and executed in a timely manner Incorporates major events, reports, and activities pertaining to ISSF.
• Focuses on marketing and PR campaigns to reach targeted audiences (ex. membership, legislators, out-of-state investors, organizations that invest in venture capital, high net worth individuals, etc.).
• Managing communication with the website and/or graphic design agencies to fulfill needs for marketing collateral (ex. content, social media images, etc.).
• Prepare a periodic report with recommendations and trends for management
• Pitching and placing stories about major successes and activities to local and national press.
• Working with the ISSF team on ISSF branding and templates.
• Create, edit and update promotional material such as brochures, flyers etc.
• Online Reputation management, Offline PR event
• Working with the ISSF team and to keep website content, messaging, photos up to date.
• Writing, editing, and proofreading pitches, press releases and other content to ensure quality and consistency with appropriate writing styles. and write and publish website, social media and newsletter posts and ensure that every statement is fact checked and approved by relevant parties.
• Working with the CEO to develop messaging in the annual research report, write/revise content.
• Working with the ISSF events and programs manager to ensure marketing and communication plan is developed and executed for all events through presentations, blog posts, press, social media, etc.
• Attending and networking at ISSF events (hosted and partner events) with rest of ISSF team to ensure up-to-date activities are being woven into marketing and communications plan.
• Track and manage partners and portfolio companies’ announcements and press releases to interested parties and social media.
• Tracking and reporting on media coverage and relationships, website analytics and social media to present progress on marketing and communications plan.
• Creates monthly newsletter in MailChimp and manage subscription list.
• Works with ISSF team and members to create content for the ISSF Blog. Shares blog posts, photos, videos,
• event registration links, legislative alerts, and general messaging through Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn.

QUALIFICATIONS ANS SKILLS REQUIRED

• A minimum of 10 years of experience prior in PR & Communication.
• Bachelor's/Master's degree in a relevant field preferred.
• Consistent track record of developing and implementing successful campaigns.
• Tech-savvy with a strong online presence on one or more social networks.
• Superior writing and editing skills, including crafting pitches, press releases, blog posts and other content
• Experience in handling media relations.
• Crisis Communication/Reputation Management experience helpful is a plus.
• Strong analytical skills and experience interpreting a strategic vision into an operational model.
• Ability to work in fast-paced environment with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Detail-oriented.
• Highly organized and exceptional time management.
• Experience of working in a multicultural team and proven ability to build relationships.
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and commitment to ISSF mission.
• Some knowledge of the entrepreneurial and investment community is preferred.
• Fluent in both Arabic & English languages.

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