Communications Manager
Job Announcement
The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) is looking for a Communications Manager to provide support to
the BCI Leadership Team in order to scale up Better Cotton and to transform cotton production
world-wide. The Communications Manager will work closely with the Director of Fundraising and
Communications, the Communications Coordinator and the Public Relations Officer.
The role offers the right candidate an opportunity to work in a multi-stakeholder global organisation
focused on developing and promoting more sustainable cotton. To be successful in this role you will need
to be culturally versatile, fluent in English and have the ability to communicate clearly and concisely with
team members from different parts of the world.
BCI’s specific aims are to:
1. Reduce the environmental impact of cotton
production.
2. Improve
livelihoods
and
economic
development in cotton producing areas.
3. Improve commitment to and flow of Better
Cotton throughout the supply chain.
4. Ensure the credibility and sustainability of the
Better Cotton Initiative.
BCI Farmer in Mali
Background
Cotton is one of the most important and widely
grown crops in the world. With more than 90%
of cotton farmers living in developing countries,
millions of farmers and workers depend on it
for their livelihoods. Current cotton growing
methods need to change as they are placing
unsustainable pressures on the environment
and the people who produce it. Change means
using fewer pesticides, managing water more
efficiently, improving soil health and biodiversity, enhancing fibre quality and improving
the welfare of farm workers.
Building on the success to date, where Better
Cotton creates positive changes for farming
communities and is being bought by BCI retailer
and brand members, BCI has set ambitious targets
for the future: increasing Better Cotton volume
production 8-fold by 2015 and 26-fold by 2020.
Our experience has taught us that the cotton
market cannot be left to itself to make the changes
happen. Our model for market transformation is
based on focused, manageable activities
developed by BCI itself and clear roles for other
supply chain actors, partners and governments.
Working with our members and partners, BCI will
focus on the key drivers at both ends of the supply
chain – supply creation (push) and demand
generation (pull).
BCI exists to make global cotton production
better for the people who produce it, better for
the environment it grows in and better for the
sector’s future.
Our Strategic Principles
BCI works with a diverse range of stakeholders
to promote measurable and continuing
improvements for the environment, farming
communities and the economies of cottonproducing areas.

BCI aims to transform cotton production
worldwide by developing Better Cotton as a
sustainable mainstream commodity.

Job Announcement – Communications Manager
August 2015




BCI is focused on effecting change
BCI is firmly based on the traceability of Better
Cotton
Credibility
and
true
multi-stakeholder
involvement are crucial to BCI
Demand for Better Cotton is key to funding and
influence
BCI enables evidence-based communication
within a clear framework
BCI does not set a premium and pricing is a
function of the market.
Better Cotton Initiative
Page 1 of 4
Communications Manager
Job Announcement
2015 Global Targets
Specific Aim
Global Indicator
2015
Target
Reduce the environmental
impact of cotton production
Better Cotton
hectares under
cultivation
Number of Better
Cotton farmers
2 million
Volume of Better
Cotton bought by
spinners
Earned income as
% of global costs
1.5
million
Improve livelihoods &
economic development in
cotton producing areas
Increase commitment to
and flow of BC throughout
the supply chain
Ensure organisational
credibility and
sustainability of BCI
1 million
75%
Job Description
The BCI Communications Manager will be responsible for further developing and implementing the Better
Cotton Initiative’s Communications and Outreach Strategies globally. S/he will help to broaden the
understanding of BCI’ s approach amongst stakeholders across the cotton supply chain, governments, civil
society and the media; s/he will work with colleagues to support the communications efforts of BCI’s
members; and s/he will enable BCI’s membership to grow. S/he will collaborate with internal and external
stakeholders to ensure that BCI communications enable and accelerate the system-level change
envisaged in the BCI strategic goals.
The role offers the right candidate the unique opportunity to grow the communications function across the
breadth of PR, social media, web and e-communications, with plenty of room for innovation, challenges
and learning. S/he will act as a spokesperson, both internally and externally, and will ensure that all
relevant communications are targeted to meet audience needs, are produced to a high standard and
represent BCI accurately and persuasively.
Responsibilities
Strategy Development and Implementation
1. Further develop, improve and implement the Better Cotton Initiative’s Communications and Outreach
Strategies globally in collaboration with colleagues, members and external consultants, in order to
support the successful realisation of the BCI Strategic Plan.
2. Build and organise content, formalising the communications strategy and objectives in the organisation
and developing external relationships and trust in BCI as a professional communications partner.
3. Provide frameworks and guidance to support colleagues in their promotional and messaging work, in
line with the Communications Strategy.
4. Develop and manage a proactive communications program to enhance the reputation of BCI and its
overall visibility.
5. Develop and promote communication tools and services for members and partners to use in their
external activities, in order to secure a consistent external Better Cotton message, encourage
independent Better Cotton ‘Ambassadors’ and optimise the communications power of the Better Cotton
global community.
6. Act as a spokesperson, both internally and externally, and to ensure that all relevant communications
are targeted to meet audience needs, are produced to a high standard, and represent BCI accurately
and persuasively.
Stakeholder Engagement & External Representation
Job Announcement – Communications Manager
August 2015
Better Cotton Initiative
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Communications Manager
Job Announcement
7. Promote BCI in relevant media and network spaces and manage the production and delivery of
appropriate outreach material, including key BCI publications such as the annual report.
8. Represent BCI at significant stakeholder events and meetings in order to broaden and refine
understanding of BCI’s approach and increase BCI’ s membership.
9. Work as the focal point and main support resource for media and to prepare accurate, timely and
complete press releases. To provide communication pieces in order to build BCI and Better Cotton into
a well-known and respected brand within and beyond the sustainable cotton sector.
Develop and maintain BCI resources (images, message frameworks, videos, stories, quotes, etc.) to
enable cost effective, engaging and accurate external communication.
Policies and Issues Guidance
10. Provide regular updates and issue guidance to colleagues and BCI members, in line with relevant
news items and the cotton market to ensure that BCI acts as an effective and useful information and
knowledge network.
11. Launch the revised BCI Claims Framework and the BCI Claims User Guide and work with stakeholders
to implement it in an appropriate manner.
12. Monitor developments in best practice on public-facing sustainability claims and ensure that BCI
guidelines are relevant and appropriate.
13. Protect and enhance the BCI brand through developing brand use guidelines for partners and
members and monitor third party use of BCI logos and images to ensure compliance with guidelines.
Assess need for international trademark registration of BCI logos.
BCI Team
14. Manage and mentor the Communications Team.
15. Take responsibility for capturing and sharing knowledge and key learnings and ensure that best
practices are internally well-known and re-applied when needed.
16. Identify key communicators internally and build their capacity to deliver engaging and inspiring
communications to external stakeholders in order to embed communications into all delivery teams and
ensure BCI speaks with one voice.
17. Represent and live the ethos of what BCI is to everyone, to ensure behaviour is consistent and reflects
organisational culture and values.
18. Support the Leadership Team by actively contributing to continued and effective delivery on Better
Cotton as a whole.
19. Develop the voice for all aspects of the organisation’s online presence.
Financial Accountability
20. Support BCI’s fundraising efforts in cooperation with the BCI Leadership Team. To ensure BCI is
continually organisationally healthy and 100% financially self-sufficient by 2020.
21. Manage, as required, consultancy budgets and contracts in the interest of maximising effective use of
financial resources.
22. Support the Fundraising and Communications Director in developing and managing the annual budget
for communications activities globally, ensuring cost effectiveness and timely reporting.
Beyond these specific responsibilities the BCI Communications Manager is expected to collaborate on
activities as agreed upon with the Fundraising and Communications Director to support the delivery of the
BCI Strategic Plan.
Profile
Job Announcement – Communications Manager
August 2015
Better Cotton Initiative
Page 3 of 4
Communications Manager
Job Announcement
To be successful, candidates for the Communications Manager role will have the following attributes:
Skills, knowledge and experience
Essential
1. University degree, or equivalent higher education qualification, in a relevant field
2. At least 5 years work experience in strategic communications planning and execution
3. Excellent understanding of using communications tools and approaches to accelerate change (both at
system level and individual behaviour change)
4. Excellent writing skills, with experience writing press releases, speeches, articles and advertisements
5. Ability to resolve problems creatively and logically, to readily grasp issues and the means to address
them, and to translate ideas into action
6. Ability to work with diverse groups of people in a multicultural, team-oriented environment
7. Familiarity with global media and a good network of communications consultants
8. Knowledge of or a proven keen interest in the issues of sustainability and textiles
9. Knowledge of photo and video editing, web development and document design programmes
10. Fluency in English, both written and spoken, with attentive listening abilities
11. Enjoys learning, innovating and taking on a challenge
12. Willingness to carry out administrative tasks
Desirable
1. Experience / knowledge of communications as part of corporate social responsibility
2. Experience working with or for a commodity multi-stakeholder initiative
3. Demonstrated ability to lead both high-level strategic and hands-on operational work
4. Demonstrated strength in relationship management
5. Fluency in one or more of the following additional languages: French, Portuguese, Chinese, Russian
6. Experience communicating science and sustainability issues to a diverse lay audience
Working Arrangements
The successful candidate will report to the Fundraising and Communications Director. The position is fulltime (40 hours per week) and will be based in Geneva. The Communications Manager will receive a
permanent contract, with a 3 month initial trial period.
The Communications Manager is expected to attend special events, some of which may occur in the
evenings or weekends. Some travel will be required.
Salary Scale: 75,000- 85,000 CHF per annum – dependent on skills and experience.
Applications:
Interested applicants with the required attributes are asked to send a detailed CV and a motivational letter
(2 pages maximum), in English, by email to: recruitment@bettercotton.org with subject:
“Communications Manager”
Application deadline:
7 September 2015, 00:00 CET
Expected start date:
As soon as possible
BCI is an equal opportunities employer, and is committed to good practice and transparency in the
management of natural, human and financial resources.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only holders of a valid work permit or individuals eligible
to work in Switzerland will be considered.
Job Announcement – Communications Manager
August 2015
Better Cotton Initiative
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