Senior Media and Communications Officer

 Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• To regularly generate high quality media coverage of Oxfam’s programme and advocacy work in Lebanon, but also occasionally international outlets.  This includes developing press releases, reactive lines, questions and answers and to organise press conferences, media briefing, organising visits of journalists and celebrities to programme locations (including logistical arrangements).
• To work with the programme teams, and local partner organisations, to develop visibility and communications plans for projects

• To produce digital contents (stories, photos, blogs, videos) to be used on Oxfam and other websites and to liaise with relevant staff at regional and Oxford level to maximise the use of the contents generated.

• To act as spokesperson for Oxfam in media interviews if required, and brief other staff and/ or local partner organisations and allies ahead of media interviews or press conferences.
• To contribute to media and overall advocacy campaign strategy for Lebanon primarily but to contribute as well to SCR campaign.
• To regularly visit projects and partner organisations in the field to ensure a direct link between programme work and media coverage, and to identify and generate high quality media and communication opportunities.
• To build relationships with media colleagues in other organisations (eg NGOs, UN agencies), to coordinate and collaborate on media projects.
• To build and maintain excellent relationships with Lebanese media outlets and maintain a database of Lebanese media contacts.
• To monitor and evaluate media coverage generated and to draw lessons to improve coverage, and provide regular analysis on Lebanese media coverage issues relevant to Oxfam’s programme and campaigns work.
• Flexibility to work out of normal offices hours is required, recognising media is not a standard “office hours” job.
• In collaboration with technical coordinators, Project Managers, draft communications and advocacy material for different thematic work-streams, including newsletters, reports, promotional materials, and talking points for senior management.
• Collaboratively with field teams, take an active role and where possible lead in organizing media outreach and public events including international celebrations as and whenever organised by field teams.
• In consultation with the field Area Managers, be the focal point person to arrange all internal and external media visits to field sites and ensure keep all reports/photos etc from those visits for future use and reference.
• Create and maintain internal system, including contact lists, diaries of upcoming events and opportunities in which Oxfam can actively participate and engage locally, national and regional/internationally.
• Provide content for key communications materials including; pagers, organisational profile and annual reporting in especially on beneficiaries’ stories/case studies etc.

Technical Skills, Experience & Knowledge

Essential

• Minimum of 2 years experience working in the Lebanese media environment, either as a journalist or as a media officer, with a proven record of generating media coverage.
• Strong writing skills, preferably with a history of writing for media, and ability to produce quality communication materials within tight deadlines.
• Strong organisational and personal management skills, with ability to prioritise work issues to meet deadlines.
• Strong social media skills (eg using websites/Twitter/blogs)
• Proven skills in engaging national organizations in media and communications visibility

• Good interpersonal skills and ability to develop and maintain relationships
• Good analytical and conceptual thinking skills with good strategic perspective, able to understand complex issues and information from different sources and present this clearly and simply
• Ability to work creatively, effectively and in an innovative manner and to identify and develop new ways to use the media to Oxfam’s advantage
• Excellent communication skills, in written and verbal English and Arabic.

Desirable

• Strong social media skills; knowledge of up-loading photos/videos, experience of using online fora for corporate purposes etc
• Filming and editing skills for short video packages
• Capacity building and technical assistance skills on media and communications to national partners