Breakthrough is looking for a Manager – Public Relations in Odisha who will work towards building a media network in the state and coordinate media activities. Broader role will be of PR-media communications, organisational positioning and operations in Gender Transformative Education System (GTES).  The Government of Odisha’s School and Mass Education (S&ME) department in partnership with Breakthrough and the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) South Asia has introduced gender equity curriculum into the syllabus for students across government schools in the state.

This curriculum, designed Breakthrough, uses interactive classroom discussions to encourage adolescent boys and girls to reflect on culturally embedded gender norms, roles, and discriminatory practices to transform their gender attitudes, aspirations, and behaviors. Through this partnership, the curriculum will be integrated into the Social Studies syllabus for adolescent boys and girls in Grades 6 to 10 in over 23,000 middle & secondary schools in Odisha.

This role will report to the Senior Manager- Public Relations and State lead- Odisha and perform the key responsibilities as mentioned below:

Key Responsibilities

Media Relations: 

• Build network with local journalist on the issue of gender in education, this will involve regular intervention, brand building and dissemination of organisational message;
• Plan and source material for media releases from within the organization;
• Write press releases and prepare information for media;
• Operationalise the organisational PR strategy;
• Identify brand promotion opportunities and leverage them for spreading awareness about the organisation’s work, specifically related to gender in education;
• Build networks, partnerships and develop media relationships with media houses, media platforms and journalists on behalf of the organization.

Media fellowship Program-Odisha:

• Plan and execute State Media training programs towards building pool of journalists in Odisha towards covering gender in education;
• Plan curriculum focusing on media sensitisation, trainings and on-ground visits for journalists;
• Develop and support the media advocacy efforts of the organization;
• Plan and execute media events for the organisation relates to media programs and relations. This may also involve travelling interstate;
• Responsible for supporting the state program team with local media and other related activities.   

Mass Media Dissemination:

Work with the media dissemination agency to undertake and execute all media dissemination activities across programs (includes planning, determining ROI, reach and internal logistics and documentation).

Specific Knowledge, Skill & Experience Required:

• 7 to 9 years of relevant experience in news media or public relations agency;
• Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills in Odia & English;
• Ability to operationalize strategy, excellent planning and organisation skills;
• Strong networking and presentation skills;
• Complete and in-depth understanding of media needs and media relationships;
• Accurate with strong attention to detail;
• Understanding of communication strategy and ability to translate key messages into content.

About Breakthrough:

Breakthrough was founded in 1999 with the mission of using arts and culture to bring human rights issues – especially violence and discrimination against marginalised groups — into mainstream conversation and inspire critical mass of people to take action for change. Its award-winning music albums and campaigns have won innumerable awards and have stirred unprecedented discussion across India about women’s rights and brought the problem of domestic violence out from behind closed doors. Earlier partnerships with the Ministry of Women and Child Development for dissemination of our media and IEC products ensures that the messaging reaches large numbers as can be seen by the Bell Bajao campaign that reached 130 million in Phase I and 110 million in Phase II. The support was received pro-bono and is estimated to be worth INR 150 million. The Ministry has adopted Breakthrough’s MissionHazaar campaign on preventing sex selection under its flagship “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” campaign and is disseminating the TV spots, curriculum and communication guide in 12 Indian languages.

Breakthrough’s current work spans across 5 states on transforming gender norms to prevent Violence against Women & Girls, and exploring the interlinkages between its various manifestations. Breakthrough makes innovative use of media, arts and technology including digital and mobiles, leadership development and community mobilisation to activate critical mass of people who will deliver the culture change needed to make violence against women and girls unacceptable. Centre to this is a gender equity curriculum, called Taron ki Toli that builds gender equitable views among adolescents 11-18 year olds, in school and in the community. Breakthrough uses leadership development to build capacities of 15-25 year olds to transform themselves and recruit others to make violence against women and girls unacceptable. It also works in the community with influencers and gatekeepers to shift norms to prevent violence and build values for girls and women. Media and arts infuse all our work and building evidence is a strong focus. Strategic partnership with governments are key – currently partnering with the Department of Education, Government of Punjab to apply gender lens to middle school curriculum across government schools. Currently reaching 573,000 adolescents and their communities to prevent violence against women and promote a culture of human rights, Breakthrough plans to reach 2 million adolescents over the next few years. 

Breakthrough Values:

The position holder will be expected to work in line with organisational values which are:

• Dignity
• Integrity
• Equity

Breakthrough is an equal opportunity employer.  We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, colour, caste, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, economic status, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. Our policies and procedures reflect our commitment to child safeguarding.

To know more about Breakthrough, please visit – www.inbreakthrough.org

Eligible candidates interested in this position may apply through the following link : https://www.btconnect.org.in/Applicant/CreateJobApplicant

You can also submit your resume by email to jobs@inbreakthrough.org  by or before 24 May 2024.