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The International Hydropower Association (IHA) is recruiting a Head of Communications and Advocacy to lead strategic communications and advocacy for the global sustainable hydropower sector.

The successful candidate will be knowledgeable and passionate about renewable energy and the clean energy transition and have a track record in leading communications and public affairs work internationally, managing teams and delivering high-profile, high-impact campaigns to policy, business and public audiences.

IHA is an evidence-based, global advocacy organisation. It is the global voice for sustainable hydropower, representing more than 100 organisations including developers, operators and manufacturers. It works with industry, governments, civil society, multilateral institutions and the financial community. Its Board comprises influential industry representatives, a former head of government and a leading former United Nations diplomat.

In 2021, IHA was named International Association of the Year at the Association Excellence Awards and was runner-up in digital marketing and best newsletter categories.

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Key responsibilities

·        Lead the development and delivery of a communications and advocacy strategy to ensure that hydropower’s role is recognised in the clean energy transition with policymakers, the wider energy sector and the public, and that principles of sustainable hydropower are well understood and adopted across the sector.

·        As a senior member of the office, work with the CEO, President and IHA Board to shape, implement and monitor the association’s communications and advocacy including at high profile events such as the COP Summits.

·        Lead a four-person Communications and Advocacy team.

·        Lead on media relations with international, national and specialist media.

·        Oversee digital communications, including hydropower.org, our online community of members, social media, email marketing and other channels.

·        Coordinate and collaborate with IHA’s members and partners on joint communications and advocacy campaigns.

·        Manage flagship publications, including the Hydropower Status Report and IHA Annual Report.

·        Deliver communications for events, including the World Hydropower Congress.

·        Provide advice, training and resources to support stakeholders to become ambassadors for sustainable hydropower.

·        Champion the measurement, evaluation and ongoing improvement of communications and advocacy.

·        Act as custodian of IHA’s brand identity and guidelines.

Skills and Experiences

·        Extensive experience in a senior communications or communications and advocacy position in an international context, with demonstrable experience in advocacy/public affairs.

·        Experienced in managing a team and working with partners to deliver communications and advocacy/public affairs initiatives internationally.

·        Demonstrable experience as a journalist or senior writer conveying complex technical concepts in a compelling and accessible way.

·        Good understanding of key concepts and challenges in renewable energy and climate change and ability to interpret technical concepts and data.    

·        A strong all-rounder, experienced in strategy, campaigns, external communications, branding, media management, events, publications, and digital communications, as well as a sound understanding of advocacy/public affairs at a global level.

·        Proven experience in reputation management.

·        Willingness to work in a multicultural, multi-lingual, international environment.

·        Ability to travel internationally on occasion.

Proficiency in other languages, in particular French, Chinese and/or Portuguese is desirable.

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