Communications Advisor

Job summary

We are recruiting a Communications Advisor to join bp Senegal and the Communications & External Affairs (C&EA) team. Reporting to the regional Communications Manager Mauritania & Senegal, the successful candidate will support the Business in creating and driving strategic communication and public affairs campaigns that support business priorities and deliver audience-specific approaches in Senegal to increase understanding, engagement, and enhance bp’s reputation.

The post holder will manage local media relations for bp Senegal and act in an advisory capacity to the Head of Country and regional Communications &Advisory (C&A) team on Senegal media engagement and strategy.
In addition, s/he will act as a local lead on campaign development and execution in Senegal.

Key Accountabilities:
As an experienced practitioner in the field of media relations, internal/ external communications, the post holder will provide insights to the Mauritania and Senegal C&EA team as well as support in delivering its strategic communications’ plan in Senegal. The post holder is a key member of bp’s Mauritania & Senegal C&EA team and will support the regional business through a period of significant ramp up of project activities.

• Contribute to the development of the regional C&EA plan and support delivery of key activities including events and campaigns
• Work closely with the regional Communications Manager to create and deliver a strategic Senegal Communications Plan , including robust a media engagement plan aligned with region and country-level priorities.
• Manage media briefings and press conference or any events relating to media engagement
• Work collaboratively and flexibly with C&EA, to mitigate risks through effective issues and reputation management, and to ensure coherence and consistency of external messaging.
• Support delivery of digital communications and employee communications as necessary.
• Use insights, measurement and best practice to drive continuous improvement and inform communication strategy and decisions.
• Manage third party contracts and service providers such as design and video agencies and events suppliers to ensure timely production of key collateral and events that strengthen bp’s reputation in Senegal
• Coordinate translation of key project assets and collateral
• Provide input to regular reviews of issues and relationships matrix and close out any actions allocated.

• University degree preferably in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Political Science, International Relations, Public Administration, Management or in a relevant discipline

• A successful track record designing and implementing effective communications and public affairs plans, which align with business strategy using a range of tools and channels.
• Proven strategic planning and stakeholder engagement experience.
• Demonstrate a high level of judgement to maintain trust and confidence in bp through regionally and locally integrated, coherent and consistent communications based on campaign planning approach.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both French & English, and the ability to present information in a clear and compelling manner to a variety of stakeholders
• Excellent planning and organisation skills
• A team player with a “can-do” attitude, able to adapt quickly in a dynamic environment
• Wolof speaker

• Good understanding of the upstream oil and gas sector or of the extractive sector
• Graphic design skills
• Demonstrates understanding of operational business issues and how communications can add value
• Previous experience with internal and external customers and suppliers

• APPLICATIONS OPEN TO SENEGAL CITIZENS ONLY
• Only applications submitted in English will be reviewed
• Good English communication. Must be able to read, write and speak
• Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption.　bp has instituted and maintains policies and procedures designed to prevent any activity or conduct which would violate any anti-bribery or anti-corruption law or regulation applicable

Grade HResponsible for helping to deliver the external affairs agenda for the region/country, using sound experience in either managing media relations, delivering social investment and sponsorship programmes, or through local community engagement, gaining support of international and local partners and ultimately helping to manage risks to BP's reputation to ensure sustainable business relations are maintained.