Creative Strategist Consultancy

Location: Based in Iraq or Jordan, regular travels to Erbil required

Reporting Manager: Project Manager, Iraq

Start date: 1 Jan 2023, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis

Duration: 30 days starting from 1 Jan 2023  

Type: Consultant

MAGENTA is a leading Social and Behavioural Change (SBC) Research and Communications agency that specializes in understanding human decision-making processes in order to design communications solutions for positive change in fragile and development settings. We implement programmes across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, using the latest in behavioural science principles and a rigorous approach to research, strategy, campaign design and implementation.

Our client base includes UN agencies, INGOs, governments and the private sector. We aim to amplify the voices of local actors while bringing international expertise and methodological rigour. To do so, we partner with civil society, creative agencies, media, and academics to design innovative, relevant, and impactful solutions to some of the most challenging problems of our time. We always go the extra mile to ensure we can create positive impact for some of the most underserved populations in the world.

MAGENTA’s Middle East team is currently implementing a USG funded project that seeks to address the root causes of Technology-Facilitated Gender Based Violence (TFGBV) in Erbil, Iraq. TFGBV reduces women and girl’s ability to actively participate and contribute to public life online and offline. Supported by audience insights and research, this project will (1) capacity build Iraqi Youth with the knowledge and skills to protect themselves and take actions as bystanders and (2) will conduct a multimedia campaign on TV, radio and digital channels that seeks to transform existing harmful social norms around TFGBV.

The Creative Strategist will lead the branding design and campaign multimedia strategy, working collaboratively with the MAGENTA team, consultants, and creative agencies to add local expertise and nuance to the campaign branding, strategy, and design to ensure that the brand is culturally relevant but succeeds in sparking interest and discussion around the topic of TFGBV, GBV, women’s rights and empowerment. The Creative Strategist will also contribute to the creative design process, advising on content briefs, plans, strategies, and content.

We are looking for exceptional individuals, driven by a keen desire to deliver social impact and who thrive in fast-paced environment. In return, we offer a strong mentoring and exceptional growth possibilities within an expanding team.

Responsibilities

The Creative Strategist, working collaboratively with the MAGENTA team and creative agencies, will have overall responsibility for leading on developing a multimedia brand, that is culturally relevant and impactful on the topic of TFGBV, and ensuring that content briefs for TV, radio and social media content are aligned in a campaign plan. Creating a brand strategy, multimedia channel dissemination plan, and working with the team to develop content briefs. Typical tasks include:

Key Functions

• Using findings from formative research on TGFV in Erbil and working collaboratively with the MAGENTA team and creative agency, the Creative Strategist will develop a comprehensive multimedia brand that will cover TV, radio, and social media channels.  
• Develop a multimedia campaign plan with different phases according to the brand strategy which follows the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) which encourages audiences to move through the various stages of the TTM (precontemplation, contemplation, preparation and action), on the issue of TFGBV in Erbil. 
• Weave offline activities including the youth capacity building project, and offline activation activities into the campaign strategy.
• In collaboration with the MAGENTA team and creative agency, develop content briefs for the TV, Radio and key social media content that will be produced as part of the campaign.
• Contribute to identifying relevant social media influencers and activists for them to relay the campaign on their social media channels, build social media influencer partnerships into the campaign plan.
• Contributing to creative ideation workshops to develop strategy and content.
• Advise on TV and radio media-buy plan, and social media boosting strategy.

Requirements & Competencies

Education:

• Relevant undergraduate degree; Masters preferred. 6 year’s practical experience as a Creative Strategist will be accepted instead of a Masters.

Experience:

• 8-10 years professional experience.
• Experience in international development or social impact preferred.
• Prior experience, or willingness to become a subject matter expert, on TFGBV, GBV and protection issues in an Iraqi context.
• Demonstrated experience developing successful brands in Erbil and/or Iraq either for a commercial company and/or for an international development campaign.
• Portfolio of work that includes at least 2-3 examples of successful brand development
• Excellent understanding of the media landscape in Erbil on TV, radio and social media.
• Experience developing multimedia brand strategies (TV, radio and social media)
• Good knowledge of Erbil celebrities and champions of social causes (including women’s rights and empowerment) and social media influencers, and how to engage them.
• Experience as an online or offline social activist (desirable).
• Ability to work effectively, respectfully and successfully with governments, clients, partners and other stakeholders in complex settings;
• Experience working in Iraq and preferably Erbil.
• Excellent written and spoken English  and Kurdish, Arabic a plus
• Technological and software fluency, include Office 365, HootSuite/Sprout Social or similar software. Fluency in Adobe photoshop and video editing software a plus.

Strategic thinking:

• A critical thinker, with a keen desire to learn and consume new information;
• Robust logic chain analytics and strong general analytical skills;

Leadership:

• Excellent communicator able to manage conflicts and develop constructive solutions;
• Ability to multi-task and manage competing priorities;
• Demonstrated desire for excellence and an ability to inspire others to attain professional excellence;

Culture:

• Willingness to live, work and travel in developing/post-crisis settings;
• Good sense of humour, personable and demonstrated ability to build networks;
• Entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to get hands dirty;

MAGENTA is committed to creating a diverse work environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or age.

Instructions

Apply before 20 Dec 2022. Applicants should submit a two-page CV, letter of motivation, a portfolio of 2-3 examples of brands developed and success of those brands and daily rate here.  The letter of motivation should describe why the applicant wants to join the MAGENTA team, with a specific example of how their experience and skills can enhance MAGENTA’s work.