Communications Consultant at International Alert

The purpose of this consultancy is to strengthen International Alert Nigeria’s strategic communications and visibility by producing compelling, accurate and audience-appropriate content that demonstrates the organisation’s contribution to peacebuilding and positive change in Nigeria.

The consultant will work closely with programme teams and other relevant staff to identify communication opportunities, develop stories and communication products, and ensure that programme achievements, learning and impact are effectively documented and communicated.

Objectives of the Consultancy

The consultancy will seek to:

1. Strengthen International Alert Nigeria’s visibility and public profile through strategic and consistent communications.
2. Improve the quality and effectiveness of programme storytelling and impact communications.
3. Develop compelling human-interest stories that demonstrate how International Alert’s interventions contribute to peace, resilience, social cohesion and community-level change.
4. Support the production of high-quality digital, print and multimedia communication materials.
5. Strengthen communication of programme results, evidence, learning and key achievements to donors, partners and other stakeholders.
6. Ensure that communications are conflict-sensitive, safeguarding-compliant, inclusive and aligned with International Alert’s global brand and communications standards.

Scope of Work and Key Responsibilities

The Communications Consultant will undertake the following:

Strategic Communications

• Review International Alert Nigeria’s existing communication approaches and identify opportunities to strengthen visibility and engagement.
• Develop a practical communications and content plan aligned with organisational and programme priorities.
• Identify key audiences and tailor communications products accordingly.
• Advise programme teams on opportunities to capture and communicate results, learning and impact.
• Support the development of key messages for major programmes, events, campaigns and organisational milestones.

Storytelling and Impact Documentation

• Develop high-quality human-interest stories, case studies and success stories from programme locations.
• Identify compelling stories that demonstrate changes in people’s lives, relationships, attitudes, behaviours and community dynamics.
• Work with programme and M&E teams to translate programme evidence and results into accessible and compelling narratives.
• Develop beneficiary and community stories while ensuring informed consent, dignity, safeguarding and conflict sensitivity.
• Support the documentation of lessons learned and emerging evidence from programme implementation.

Digital and Social Media Communications

• Develop engaging content for International Alert Nigeria’s digital and social media platforms.
• Prepare social media posts, campaign content, programme highlights and other digital materials.
• Support the development of multimedia content, including short videos, photography concepts, infographics and other visual products.
• Monitor relevant engagement and provide recommendations for improving digital communications.
• Ensure that digital content is consistent with International Alert’s brand, tone and communications standards.

Programme and Donor Communications

• Support programme teams in developing high-quality communication materials for donors and partners.
• Produce programme briefs, success stories, newsletters, factsheets and other visibility materials.
• Support the communication of key programme achievements, milestones, results and learning.
• Develop communication materials for donor visits, programme launches, conferences, workshops and other strategic events.
• Support the preparation of content that can be used in donor reports and proposals where appropriate.

Media and External Engagement

• Support engagement with relevant media outlets and communication platforms to increase visibility of International Alert’s peacebuilding work.
• Draft press releases, media briefs, opinion pieces, talking points and other external communications materials.
• Identify opportunities for International Alert staff and programmes to contribute to relevant public conversations on peacebuilding, conflict prevention, climate, governance and community resilience.
• Support media engagement around major organisational and programme milestones.

Photography, Videography and Multimedia

• Develop briefs and concepts for photography and video documentation of programme activities.
• Where appropriate, undertake or coordinate photography and videography assignments.
• Ensure that visual materials are properly captioned, archived and accompanied by appropriate consent documentation.
• Support the production of short videos, reels, interviews and other multimedia content for programme and organisational use.

Deliverables

The consultant will be expected to deliver, as agreed with International Alert:

• A Communications and Content Plan aligned with organisational and programme priorities.
• High-quality human-interest stories and case studies documenting programme outcomes and impact.
• Social media and digital content packages.
• Programme briefs, factsheets and other visibility materials.
• Photo and/or video documentation of selected programme activities.
• Press releases, media briefs and other external communications materials as required.
• Communication products for key events, campaigns and organisational milestones.
• Periodic recommendations on improving International Alert Nigeria’s communications and visibility.

The specific number and frequency of deliverables will be agreed during the inception phase based on programme priorities and available resources.

Methodology

The consultant is expected to use a participatory and evidence-informed approach, working closely with programme, M&E and communications focal points.

The methodology should include:

• Review of relevant programme documents and existing communication materials.
• Consultations with programme teams and relevant stakeholders.
• Field engagement where required to document stories and programme results.
• Interviews with programme participants, partners and stakeholders.
• Review and triangulation of programme evidence.
• Development of content tailored to specific audiences and communication channels.
• Application of conflict sensitivity, safeguarding, informed consent and ethical storytelling principles throughout the assignment.

Duration and Level of Effort

The consultancy is expected to run for 9 months, commencing 1st October 2026.

The consultant will work on an agreed level of effort and schedule, with specific assignments and deliverables agreed with International Alert Nigeria based on programme and organisational communication needs.

Reporting and Management

The Communications Consultant will report to the Country Programme Manager or designated focal point and will work closely with project managers, project officers, M&E staff and other relevant colleagues.

All major communication products will be reviewed and approved by International Alert prior to external publication or dissemination.

Required Qualifications and Experience

The consultant should have:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Media Studies, Development Studies, International Relations or a related field. A Master’s degree will be an advantage.
• At least 1 year of relevant professional experience in communications, journalism, strategic communications, development communications or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience developing compelling human-interest stories, case studies and impact narratives.
• Experience working with international NGOs, development organisations, peacebuilding organisations or donor-funded programmes is highly desirable.
• Strong writing, editing and storytelling skills.
• Demonstrated experience developing content for digital and social media platforms.
• Experience in photography, videography, graphic design or multimedia production will be an advantage.
• Strong understanding of conflict-sensitive communications and ethical storytelling.
• Experience working in complex, conflict-affected or humanitarian/development contexts is desirable.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple assignments and meet tight deadlines.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.

Core Competencies

The consultant should demonstrate:

• Excellent storytelling and communication skills
• Strong attention to detail and editorial judgement
• Creativity and ability to identify compelling stories
• Strong interpersonal and interviewing skills
• Understanding of development and peacebuilding programming
• Ability to translate technical programme information into accessible content
• Professionalism, integrity and respect for confidentiality
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and informed consent
• Cultural sensitivity and conflict sensitivity
• Ability to work effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders

Safeguarding, Ethics and Conflict Sensitivity

The consultant will be required to comply fully with International Alert’s safeguarding, code of conduct, data protection, photography/filming consent, conflict sensitivity and other relevant organisational policies.

The consultant must ensure that all communication products protect the dignity, safety and privacy of programme participants and do not expose individuals or communities to additional risks as a result of their participation or being featured in communication materials.

Ownership and Intellectual Property

All communication materials, photographs, videos, stories, reports, interviews, designs and other outputs produced under this consultancy will be the property of International Alert, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

The consultant may not publish, reproduce or use materials developed under the assignment for other purposes without prior written approval from International Alert.

International Alert is committed to diversity, equality and inclusion and encourages applications from qualified women and candidates from diverse backgrounds.