Hedley Tah
Summary
Detailed oriented professional, demonstrating strong analytical, communication, and teamwork skills, with proven ability to quickly adapt to new environments. Eager to contribute to team success and further develop professional skills. Brings positive attitude and commitment to continuous learning and growth. Excellent mastery of pidgin - spoken across west and central Africa including Nigeria and Ghana
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of External Relations, WFP Aviation
United Nations World Food Programme
11.2023 - Current
- Enhance brand recognition and visibility of WFP Aviation Service by developing and leading the execution of a communications plan
- Leading engagement with governments (USA, France, EU, Sweden, etc etc) and other donors
- Leading engagement with host governments in areas of operations with 17 countries in sub saharan Africa
- Providing training to management staff for media engagement
- ·Organizing events across the globe to engage both media and other key stakeholders to get more engagement around the work of UNWFP
Communications Officer
UN World Food Programme
03.2022 - 11.2023
- Management oversight to communications staff in DR Congo
- Enhanced brand visibility of the UNWFP bu developing and leading the implementation of the communications plan targeting national audiences covering traditional and social media, working with influencers and engagement with the Congolese government
- Engaged influencers such as Innoss'B (with over 1.3M subscribers on Youtube) and Distel Zola to raise awareness of the work of the UN World Food Programme among Congolese audiences
- Developing written materials to meet specific objectives within the communications plan including media pitches, press releases, key messaging guidelines, newsletters, stories, etc
- Providing training to management staff for media engagement
- Organizing events to engage both media and local audiences to get more engagement around the work of UNWFP such as press briefings, commemorative events on international days, ad hoc events with DRC government among others
- Developed the social media strategy for DR Congo and overseeing its implantation
- Monitored social and traditional media coverage of UNWFP to gauge brand feel and identify opportunities using tools such as BrandWatch.
- Ensuring that donors are appropriately recognized for the funding they provide in line with agreed protocols
- Ensuring the appropriate use of the WFP brand and visibility across the DRC
- Leading youth engagement activities aimed at raising awareness and engagement for WFP's mandate
- Supporting community engagement efforts to enhance improved perception of WFP for programme delivery and access
Head of Unit – Communications, Advocacy and Marketing
UN World Food Programme
08.2020 - 03.2022
- Leading the Communications Advocacy and Marketing team in Cameroon
- Developed the Communication, Advocacy and Marketing strategy and corresponding action plan for the Cameroon Country Office
- Developed media relations, effectively addressing media enquiries and explaining information in a compelling way
- Defined and currently executing a social media plan which leverages content, networks and partners to enhance coverage and support of WFP's activities
- Ensuring that WFP's branding and public messaging about its mandate and programmes in Cameroon is consistent across the organization and reflects corporate communications and advocacy priorities, adapted appropriately to the Cameroonian context
- Monitoring media for developing stories related to WFP/food security in Cameroon, including reputational risks and advocacy opportunities
- Generating quality multimedia content including articles, video, photo, and audio storytelling (podcasts)
- In collaboration with RAM and Programmes, translating programmatic evidence-based materials and hard data into compelling and impactful story / narrative for advocacy and visibility purposes
- Providing strategic direction and support to management around policy advocacy and effective stakeholder (government, media, academia, opinion formers and civil society) engagement to secure high-level commitment to zero hunger, food security and resilience building
- Identifying opportunities brand partnerships targeting media, PR and creative agencies, Goodwill Ambassadors and influencers, to increase WFP's brand and lift the creative content and digital marketing capacity
- Leading the collaboration effort with internal global/regional communication partners to ensure and consistency in messaging to enhance understanding and support for humanitarian actions
- Ensuring timely and accurate communications and outreach to internal and external partners and other appropriate audiences
- Ensuring the incorporation of gender perspectives in areas of work, to ensure equal participation of women and men, in collaboration with the Gender and Protection Unit
Communications & Media Coordinator, NW & SW Emergency Response
Plan International
11.2018 - 08.2020
- Leading communications, advocacy and media activities for the organization in the areas of the emergency response
- Official spokesperson of the organization within the crisis regions
- Regular field travel to collect and create media products to support the execution projects, increase fundraising and improve visibility of the organization's actions
- Developed and maintained good relations with more than 53 media organs (both national and international) all in a bid to maximise media coverage of the organization's activities
- Creating content for the organization's social media platforms
- Training staff members for media interviews to represent interests of the organisation
- Supporting staff members to make sure that everything is in line with the organization's graphic charter and minimum quality standards
- Coaching and supporting program staff with program communication, communication engagement and community mobilisation
- Producing case studies & blogs to depict Plan International's work in disaster affected NW & SW
- Leading the development of creatives including video and photo all in a bid to showcase Plan International's impact thus supporting advocacy and visibility both within the global hub and externally
- Developed appropriate messages to disseminate across internal and external audiences
- Using my network of journalists for appropriate media relations to create and maintain favorable image of Plan International within crisis regions
- Led efforts to develop a media monitoring strategy and plan for the crisis regions
- Developed communications with communities interventions to support emergency response and improve access and service delivery to disaster affected communities
Programs Officer: Marketing & Communications
Quest Consulting
11.2016 - 11.2018
- Led the development and implementation of nationwide strategic marketing communications planning
- Led the development and execution of communication strategy to support the overall strategy of the firm
- Led the development of creatives including video and photo all in a bid to increase the client base of the firm
- Developed appropriate messages to disseminate across internal and external audiences
- Developed press releases, publications and other written communications for the firm
- Used my network of journalists for appropriate media relations to showcase work of the firm to audiences and create favorable image
- Successfully organized two news conferences for the firm within the framework of two World Bank funded projects
- Led media monitoring and press clippings across the media landscape in Cameroon
- Carried out studies to gauge the impact of communication strategies and tools
Communications and Advocacy Officer: The Global Fund to Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria | EXXON MOBIL
Malaria No More
06.2015 - 11.2016
- Drafted press releases and communiqués for national dissemination within the framework of MNM's strategy
- Drafted media plan for MNM and partners for activities including the World Malaria Day 2016, phase 3 of the national distribution of mosquito nets, etc
- Designed tool for media monitoring and managed its implementation for the third phase of the national distribution of mosquito nets and World Malaria Day 2016
- Designed M & E tool for communications interventions for World Malaria Day 2016 commemorative activities
- Maintaining contacts with 91 community radios, 22 urban radios, 8 TV channels (including CRTV, & Canal 2), 6 newspapers with national outreach and 1 online news agency
- organized workshops to engage private sector companies in the fight against Malaria
- organized capacity building workshops to train journalists on their role in the fight against malaria and malaria reporting
- Conducted research (design, data collection and analysis) to single out the impact of training workshops to engage the private sector in the fight against malaria and produced evaluation report in French
- Producing monthly activity and media reports for key donors and other stakeholders
- Led efforts for the creation of the first ever mobile malaria community with the private sector (MTN Cameroon)
- Represented Malaria No More at the National Coordination Committee for the planning of the seasonal malaria Chemoprevention campaign in the North and Extreme North regions of Cameroon at the Ministry of Public Health
- Produced quarterly newsletters on private sector engagement in the fight against malaria both in English and French
- Analysed and reviewed the quality of communications materials such as flyers, community image boxes, banners, TV and radio spots, etc
- Produced content for social media communication channels
- Represented Malaria No More at external events such as in international conferences organized by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in meetings with other partners like GIZ, Greenmash, Ministry of Public Health, etc
Programme Manager: GIZ | Southwest Special Fund for Health Promotion
Tiko Mutual Health organization
04.2014 - 06.2015
- Designed and implemented behavior change communication strategies for the promotion of primary health care within the health district
- Carried out bi-annual studies (data collection and analysis using SPSS) to gauge impact of programs
- Led community mobilization efforts to create awareness and support for project objectives
- Created and produced the pioneer newsletter for the organization 'Health For All'
- Produced quarterly activity reports for donors and other key stakeholders
- Organized advocacy events that successfully engaged municipal council, local administration and private sector institutions (SABC, CDC, SONARA, etc.) in the promotion of primary healthcare within the Tiko Health district
- Attained an increase of 20% with regards to number of persons that take at least one action for fight against malaria within 6 months among a population of over 78000 people within the Tiko Health District
- Attained an increase of 40% of people who had some form of health insurance within 6 months among a population of over 78.000 people within the Tiko Health District
- Coordinated 5 rounds of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) administration to children 0-5 years within the health district
- Carried out bi-annual studies (elaboration of questionnaire and interview guides as well as analysis using SPSS) to gauge impact of programs
- Represented the organization in external meetings
- Coordinated and supervised activities of 7 staff members for the attainment of institutional objectives
- Mentored and supervised activities of interns at the organization
Information and Resource Mobilization Officer : Action 10 | Ministry of Social Affairs
Link Up Cameroon
12.2010 - 04.2014
- Designed and implemented organization's annual communications plan
- Coordinated community mobilization efforts to raise awareness and interest in project objectives targeting orphans and vulnerable children (OVC)
- Established and maintained relations with 6 local radio stations and 2 TV channels
- Built content for NGO's website
- Designed and implemented the Village Library Project that helped improve access to education for more than 250 orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) within 2 of Cameroon's 10 regions
- Implemented advocacy strategy targeting government institutions (Ministry of Social Affairs, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Secondary Education and Ministry of Basic Education) to engage them in the promotion of education among OVC
- Research on donor policies and priorities
- Implemented the organization's resource mobilization strategy
- Successfully mobilized funds from 2 international funders and 1 national funder
- Wrote quarterly reports to donors and other stakeholders
Education
Master of Science - International Relations
International Relations Institute of Cameroon
Yaounde, Cameroon 06-2013
Bachelor of Science - Journalism And Mass Communications
University of Buea
Buea, Cameroon 07-2010
Skills
- Friendly, positive attitude
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Creativity
- Organisational skills
- Problem-solving
- Ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines
- Enthusiasm, excitement to try new ideas and projects
- Quick learner
Timeline
Head of External Relations, WFP Aviation
United Nations World Food Programme
11.2023 - Current
Communications Officer
UN World Food Programme
03.2022 - 11.2023
Head of Unit – Communications, Advocacy and Marketing
UN World Food Programme
08.2020 - 03.2022
Communications & Media Coordinator, NW & SW Emergency Response
Plan International
11.2018 - 08.2020
Programs Officer: Marketing & Communications
Quest Consulting
11.2016 - 11.2018
Communications and Advocacy Officer: The Global Fund to Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria | EXXON MOBIL
Malaria No More
06.2015 - 11.2016
Programme Manager: GIZ | Southwest Special Fund for Health Promotion
Tiko Mutual Health organization
04.2014 - 06.2015
Information and Resource Mobilization Officer : Action 10 | Ministry of Social Affairs
Link Up Cameroon
12.2010 - 04.2014
Master of Science - International Relations
International Relations Institute of Cameroon
Bachelor of Science - Journalism And Mass Communications
University of Buea
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