JOB
POSTING
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) is the national voice of municipal governments, representing the
interests of cities and communities with the federal government in Canada.
Position:
Organisation:
Location:
Salary Band:
Duration:
Languages:
Knowledge and Communications Officer
FCM-CISAL
Lima, Peru or Bogotá, Colombia
Between $1,800 - $2,100 USD/month (and employment benefits after probationary period)
4-year contract beginning in April 2015 commencing with a probationary period
Fluency in Spanish & Advanced level of English is required
Background:
FCM is the national voice for Canadian municipal government and is dedicated to improving the quality of life in all
communities by promoting strong, effective and accountable municipal governments. FCM International (FCMI) is a global
leader in international cooperation aimed at strengthening local government capacities and enhancing governance.
The Sustainable and Inclusive Communities in Latin America (CISAL) Program implemented by the Federation of
Canadian Municipalities (FCM) is a $20.5 million, five-year regional initiative (2014-2019) funded in large part by the
Canadian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD). The purpose of the program is
to support local governments in Colombia and Peru to help them successfully manage the impacts and benefits from
mining development and promote sustainable economic growth for women and men in Latin America.
CISAL aims to: 1) Strengthen the accountability, transparency and effectiveness of local governments in communities
influenced by mining; 2) Promote local economic development and diversification of those communities; and 3)
Strengthen existing and/or create new regional collaboration and knowledge sharing of best practices, tools and lessons
learned that will contribute to improving community, local, departmental/sub-national and national government and
company relations.
The Contribution Agreement has been signed with DFATD and the program is now in its first year of operation and set-up.
Purpose:
Under the direction of one of CISAL’s Senior Program Specialist and working in collaboration with the other members of
the team in Colombia, Peru and Canada, the CISAL Knowledge and Communications Officer (KCO) will be responsible
for coordinating communications and knowledge development activities in Colombia and Peru. The KCO will work in
partnership with various CISAL stakeholders at the local, national and regional levels to maintain a high visibility for the
program and to ensure approaches, program models and best practices generated through CISAL are identified,
documented and shared widely. As a staff of the FCMI team, the KMO protects its integrity, reputation and supports its
role as a global leader in international development cooperation aimed at strengthening local capacities and enhancing
governance.
Key Responsibilities:
Communications

Adapt the CISAL communications strategy to the field offices, update it on an annual basis, and develop Annual
Work Plans for communications activities based on the strategy;

Works closely with the Program Director, Senior Program Specialists, Program Manager, FCM Communications
Advisor and local government partners to ensure implementation of all aspects of the CISAL communications
strategy;
FCM Job Posting
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
Gathers information on program results and stories, identifies opportunities, develops and disseminates regionspecific communications tools;

Prepares and edits communication and knowledge products, including press releases, case studies, web and
social media content, and newsletters for different audiences;
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Organizes media events to raise awareness of the CISAL program in Peru and Colombia;

Coordinates all communication activities and products for CISAL events in Colombia and Peru to ensure
adequate visibility among stakeholders in the region and donors;

Liaises with Senior Program Specialist, Program Director and Program Manager to provide up-to-date information
on activities, outputs and outcomes of program activities in the field;

Provides an advisory and facilitating role to representatives from local authorities in Colombia and Peru on
communications-specific issues;

Works with the Ottawa IS team and/or contractors to implement communication tools, social media platforms and
technology on the program;
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Maintain the program website up to date with progress and stories from the program, monitors the media, social
media and communication activities related to the program and stakeholders; and,

Ensures that all communications plans, products and tools respect FCM’s corporate communications and
branding guidelines as well as the Government of Canada’s communications requirements as detailed in the
program’s contribution agreement.
Knowledge Management

Adapt the CISAL knowledge enhancement strategy, update it on an annual basis, and develop Annual Work
Plans for knowledge development and sharing activities based on the strategy;

Works closely with the Senior Program Specialist, Program Director, Program Management, FCMI Knowledge
Management Specialist and local government partners to ensure implementation of all aspects of the CISAL
knowledge strategy;

Contributes to the development and implementation of the program monitoring and evaluation framework for
knowledge management;

Develops and manages a database to file all CISAL knowledge products, including publications, manuals, reports,
media coverage, program photographs and videos so they are easily retrieved and accessed by CISAL staff,
partners and stakeholders;

Drawing from FCMI’s experience and tools, coordinates the development of knowledge tools such as:
1) guidelines and protocols for baseline surveys, community profiles, local economic profiles, etc. and ensures
they are used across country programs to ensure consistency in the program approach; 2) methodologies to
document change and results in local level initiatives; 3) guidelines for knowledge-sharing events; 4) facilitation
guides for case studies, training programs, study tours, etc.;

Facilitate the integration of gender equality and environmental sustainability into program activities, including to
increase the visibility of women leaders and partners;

Manages the production of knowledge products (publications, lessons learned, case studies, etc.) through
process to identify good practices, and coordinating an editorial team to review knowledge products and control
quality throughout production (layout, printing, etc.);
FCM Job Posting
Senior Local Governance Specialist, CISAL - FCMI
JOB
POSTING

Works with Canadian project staff, consultants and volunteers to ensure the best practices and processes coming
out of the various program activities are well documented;

Identifies existing tools on selected program topics such as governance, local economic development, gender
equality and environmental sustainability, in the region and elsewhere;

Works with partners and stakeholders, including local government associations, local governments and academic
institutions to develop and disseminate knowledge products and promote learning among CISAL stakeholders;
and,

Organizes knowledge-sharing workshops and events for CISAL partners and other stakeholders.
Other Related Responsibilities

Contributes to program planning and reporting, and providing an overall analysis of performance, challenges and
dynamics associated with communications and knowledge management efforts; and,
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Performs other duties as assigned by the CISAL Program Director that are consistent with the overall scope of the
position. Duties and responsibilities may be modified or expanded upon at any time as required in the interest of
CISAL project implementation.
Knowledge, Education and Experience Required:

A minimum of five to seven years related experience in issues communication or related field;

Undergraduate degree in communications, communications for development, public relations, journalism or related
field;
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Excellent writing and research skills

Experience managing organizational social media accounts and web content;
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Experience organizing media events;
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Publication and/or production of a variety of media products a requirement;

Experience with results-based management principles and working with international cooperation projects preferred;
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Demonstrated experience working within a team environment;
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Demonstrated experience leading group learning and capacity development in communications and knowledge
management considered an asset;

Requires high degree of initiative, diplomacy and media savvy, responsibility and creativity, sensitivity and interest in
local cultures and the ability to relate to people from diverse cultural backgrounds, ability to initiate and maintain good
relationships, sensitivity to promote gender equity;

Publications or media products in English or French considered an asset;

All applicants must be residents of Peru or Colombia;

Position is based in Lima or Bogotá, but will require travel nationally and internationally.
Language Requirements

Fluency in Spanish and Advanced English is required. Oral (spoken) capacity in French is considered an asset.
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Senior Local Governance Specialist, CISAL - FCMI
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Core Competencies Required
The successful candidate will exhibit the following professional competencies:

Results Oriented: Committed to achieving results, demonstrating innovation and creativity in overcoming
obstacles. Organizes time, work and resources to accomplish objectives in the most effective and efficient way;

Client Focused: Making client satisfaction a priority and at the center of all decisions.
excellence to internal and external clients;

Teamwork: Contributing to the development of a team environment where team members ultimately achieve
established goals; and,
Ethics and Fairness: Treating everyone fairly and equitably and maintaining high ethical standards of professional
conduct.

Providing service
For further information on FCM, please access our website at www.fcm.ca.
Please submit your cover letters, resumes and salary expectations prior to the deadline of April 6, 2015 to the following
email address: [email protected] writing in the subject K&C Officer.
We thank all candidates for their interest; however, we will only contact those selected for an interview. All the applications
will be kept on file for six months following the hiring.
FCM Job Posting
Senior Local Governance Specialist, CISAL - FCMI