Communication And External Relations Co-Ordinator

TITLE Communication and External Relations Co-ordinator REPORTS TO ARK Lebanon Country Manager DEPARTMENT Communication and Production, ARK Lebanon LOCATION Beirut, Lebanon CONTRACT TYPE Full time, Fixed term DIRECT REPORTS Outreach and Visibility Officer and Qalam Rassas Coordinator START DATE ASAP   ARK Group DMCC   ARK Group DMCC is a stabilisation, development and conflict transformation consultancy that provides research-informed analysis and policy recommendations, as well as evidence-based interventions, in conflict-affected areas from the Palestinian camps of Lebanon and Yemen to Iraq and Syria on behalf of public and private sector clients.  Working with and through local communities, we seek to understand and then mitigate the negative effects of conflict and instability to enhance community safety and promote human security, development and economic opportunity.   We have a highly dynamic, capable, multinational team with offices in Dubai, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, London and Washington DC.   Background   ARK has launched a multi-year project aimed at empowering youth and improving living conditions for communities inside Palestinian camps and gatherings in Lebanon. The Palestinian Youth Project (PYP) will work with and through youth to promote their economic and social participation, bolster their role in local governance, and enhance their ability to prevent and mediate conflict.   Tasks & Responsibilities   POSITION OBJECTIVE   The Communication and External Relations Co-ordinator is responsible for communication strategy and implementation. He or she has experience in professional writing and editing skills, planning, designing, and producing materials for the public, including developing website and social media content in English and Arabic.   DUTIES   Produce and manage press releases, coordinate media relations, and develop other informational materials for relevant media as requested. Ensure that all articles in the media are documented per project and saved in the relevant files, this includes kick off events, closure events, articles. Manage, organize and update the program photo library, ensuring that a selection of high quality photos with appropriate content are available to be used for reports, success stories, website, Facebook etc. In coordination, the supervisor develops all branding plan for each project and ensure their implementation per donor guidelines. Craft key messaging to promote programming initiatives in coordination with beneficiaries, donors and ARK colleagues Draft press releases, speeches and talking points as required for relevant public events. Write and organise background briefings for media. Monitor media and flag relevant reporting pertaining to ARK Lebanon programming. Proactively propose innovative ideas for the promotion of programming. This can be through press conferences, TV/Radio interviews, VIP site visits ARK and donors, photo exhibitions. Supervise, design, author and/or edit all media documents. In coordination with the Director of Communication ensure programming activities are represented in Corporate external communications.  Ensure that projects websites/Facebook/Instagram/Instagram/twitter pages are actively used and updated of highlight the program achievements and events. Any other task as assigned by the supervisor.   Requirements   Experience Required: 5-7 years of communication, production, journalism or public relations experience.     Education: Bachelor’s degree, preferably in marketing, English/journalism, or a related communications field.   Required skills Knowledge of MS Office software is required. Experience working with social media. Excellent reporting, communication, and interpersonal skills. Experience working with community-based organisations. Ability to craft key messaging for various media formats. Strong organizational skills; ability to interact effectively with personnel and beneficiaries. A working knowledge of media relations, publishing and event planning. The ability to work independently as well as collaboratively, both internally and with external stakeholders. Native Arabic language skills, or acquired advanced Arabic skills, highly desirable. Excellent English language written and oral skills. Political acuity and awareness of human rights issues in broader societal contexts. Ability to establish and maintain collegial relations with press and media contacts, and to use sound judgment in presenting development projects to the press