Communications Manager

# Communications Manager* Asia-Pacific* Cambodia* Philippines* Malaysia* Indonesia* Thailand* SingaporeEmail us about this job opening*This position accepts candidates based in Cambodia, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore and reports to the Vice President, Asia Pacific Programs. It is only open to candidates who reside in the countries mentioned and have* *or can secure the right to work in these countries.*## **Who We Are**International Justice Mission (IJM) is the global leader in protecting vulnerable people from violence around the world. Our team of over 1,200 professionals are at work worldwide in over 30 offices. Together we are on a mission to rescue millions, protect half a billion, and make justice unstoppable.We are a global community that cares for one another. We believe that the way we work is as important as the results we achieve. We provide professional excellence with joy and celebration to all those we serve. ## **The Need**For over 25 years, IJM has pioneered the work to protect vulnerable people from violence. 9 out of 9 times in the last decade, IJM’s Justice System Strengthening Projects have reduced slavery and violence between 50% and 85% for very large populations of people in poverty. IJM is seeking a Communications Manager to provide leadership to IJM’s programs in Southeast Asia in the area of program communications. The Communications Manager will advise, equip and collaborate with IJM teams and implementing partner NGOs in the Asia Pacific region to develop and execute communications and media engagement strategies and plans to promote positive changes in support of protection for those most vulnerable to modern slavery crimes. IJM program communications will generate support for project advocacy goals, shift community norms regarding reporting cases of violence, increase public understanding of the reality of target issues of violence, and amplify deterrence based on government actions to stop target crimes. The Communications Manager will build innovative partnerships and networks with journalists and content creators, and establish best practices for IJM APAC programming, driving continuous program improvement with a sense of urgency. They will lead the development of quality products and trainings for IJM and partners while also sharing knowledge with professionals from other IJM teams and organizations around the world. The Communications Manager will directly support the development, documentation and measurement of promising communications and media engagement interventions, strengthening the capacity of IJM teams and partners. The Communications Manager will bring a deep understanding of the use of public communications to enable changes in policy and social behavior in communities, as well as familiarity with the mainstream and social media landscape in Southeast Asia. This position reports to the Vice President, Asia Pacific Programs and will be part of the Program Impact Team, collaborating closely with the Sr. Lead, Marketing Communications and Global Marketing colleagues. It is preferred that they be based in one of IJM’s program offices in APAC mentioned above; however, excellent candidates based in other locations across the Asia Pacific region are welcome to apply. ## **Responsibilities***Strategic Leadership & Management:** Lead and inspire creative teams to develop strategically grounded, insight-driven content that communicates IJM’s mission, brand and value proposition to program stakeholders.* With APAC program office leaders, develop and implement comprehensive communications, storytelling and media engagement strategies that will elevate the story of IJM’s work and key messages about protection across audiences and channels: messaging for advocacy and partnership purposes; and increasing recognition of and trust in IJM’s APAC programs, model and impact.* With APAC program office leaders, develop and implement strategies to leverage traditional and social media to highlight the realities of target crimes in order to open political space and create social demand for project advocacy goals; and, to showcase successful government response to target crimes in order to increase community reporting and to deter would-be perpetrators.* Lead teams through the creative process, building strategic rationale for the content and driving critical ideas through production.* Directly manage APAC regional communications interns or fellows. Provide dotted line consulting, coaching and support to APAC program focused communications and media engagement leads.* In collaboration with the Sr. Lead, Marketing Communications, develop and manage pro bono and contractual relationships with creative partners who will support APAC program offices on content development objectives.* Ensure all externally facing staff within APAC program offices are trained on IJM’s global, regional and local communications and messaging related policies and guidelines.* Coordinate with the APAC Regional Sr. Lead, Marketing Communications, APAC Program Office leaders and comms staff, and other relevant internal stakeholders to ensure message consistency, brand and mission alignment, and mutual support.*Program Implementation:** Work with Program Office leadership and communications staff to scale protection efforts by strengthening IJM’s voice and influence with local media, government and other key stakeholders; developing talking points and messaging materials on IJM’s learnings, recommendations, data and impact; hosting media and other key stakeholders; conducting advocacy and awareness campaigns; and other communications initiatives.* Monitor and assess program office communications for their effectiveness in achieving goals and maintaining brand standards.* Support staff and survivor leaders for public speaking, media or other engagements, including with speech writing, editing, rehearsing, and coordination.* Coach, train and/or mentor APAC program office spokespersons as well as key implementing partners staff, as needed.* Present content and key messages with a convincing and inspiring style.*Collaboration, Networking & Partnerships:** Represent APAC programs in internal and external speaking engagements, seminars, and media opportunities.* Work closely with the APAC Senior Lead, Marketing Communications and the Global Marketing team to develop or review communications-related policies, guidance, products, campaigns, messaging or other materials that will be developed for cross-regional use.* Collaborate with the APAC Senior Lead, Marketing Communications, Global Marketing, and/or IJM’s Advancement Offices on joint campaigns, messaging, media opportunities or other efforts that advance APAC program office goals.* Build and maintain relationships with trusted media and influencers across APAC to expand APAC program offices’ voice and reach, respond to issues, share key messages, and promote program impact, resources and partnerships.* Develop and pitch story ideas to priority media targets and/or to internal IJM stakeholders.* As needed for support, host media, IJM staff, external partners or other key stakeholders in the APAC Offices. *Documentation, Reporting, & Data Management:** Manage project and communications engagement outcomes for program analysis and monitoring and evaluation.* Provide quarterly reports to the APAC Regional Vice President, Program Impact.* Ensure all story assets and related documentation are saved on the appropriate internal platforms, following IJM’s Global Story Policy and Global Marketing guidance.*Other General Tasks:** Perform other related duties and tasks as assigned.## **Qualifications:*** Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, marketing or related field.* Minimum of five years’ experience working in media, marketing, public relations or related field.* Proven ability to set and implement communications and media strategies.* Proven experience in crisis communication.* Demonstrated experience working with local and/or international media, pitching and placing content, and crafting responses, statements, and press releases.* Experience developing social media campaigns, content, and implementation through various platforms.* Experience using communication to achieve human rights objectives is preferred.* Experience working with human rights, survivor leaders, non-governmental or development agencies, faith-based and/or government agencies preferred.* Excellent written communication skills in English.* Excellent verbal communication skills, showcasing clear, compelling and persuasive messages to diverse audiences.* Experience in a humanitarian work context, with demonstrated trauma-informed interviewing skills and a survivor-protection mindset.* Working knowledge of developing and/or using content libraries or newswire mechanisms preferred.* Working knowledge of photography, video production, graphic design, layout and related software packages, or management of creative partners preferred.* Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.) and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point).* Role requires 6-10 weeks of international travel each year, mostly within the APAC region.## **Critical Qualities*** Excellent interpersonal skills and self-awareness.* Articulate and compelling communicator with meticulous attention to detail.* Takes initiative, solution-focused, and uses creative problem solving.* Team player, and exceptional collaborator with diverse teams.* High credibility with team and partners.## **Application Process:**Please submit your Resume/CV and Cover Letter to apac\_recruiting@ijm.org not later than **8 June 2026**.Remarks: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.*IJM holds strict safeguarding principles and a zero tolerance to violations of the Safeguarding Policy, Protection against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment Policy, and Code of Ethics. Candidate selection is based on technical competence, recruitment, selection and hiring criteria subject to assess the candidates value congruence and thorough background, police clearance, and reference check processes. IJM requires a background check, police clearance and thorough review of references with an employment offer and/or employment contract.*
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