RDPP Reporting and Communications Specialist (national staff)

1. Introduction and Background:

The Regional Development and Protection Programme (RDPP) is a European initiative with the objective to support Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq to better understand and mitigate the impact of forced displacement of Syrian refugees. The RDPP aims at supporting displacement affected communities to access their rights, be safe, and participate in development through evidence-based, innovative, locally founded interventions and, once possibilities arise, be supported to avail themselves of a durable solution. The programme focusses in the areas of livelihoods, protection, research, advocacy and policy dialogue, and the programme works in partnership with government institutions, civil society, NGOs, and UN agencies. 

The first phase of the RDPP is supported by a platform of eight donors; European Commission (DEVCO), Ireland, The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Norway and Denmark. Denmark manages the programme through the Programme Management Unit with offices in Beirut and Amman. The first phase will end in end 2018. A second phase is currently under development and expected to launch by August 2018. The Madad Trust Fund will be a contributing donor to the next phase.

The employer will be Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.

2. The position

1. 1. Title: Communications and Reporting Specialist
   2. Place of Service: Beirut, Lebanon with frequent travels to Jordan and Northern Iraq
   3. Duration: Two years with the possibility to extend
   4. Reporting to Programme Manager in Beirut
   5. Terms of employment: Full time

3. Area of responsibility / tasks

S/He will be part of a lean management team under the supervision of the Programme Manager based in Beirut, and working closely with the two Project Managers based in Beirut and Amman, and the M&E Specialist.

The Communication and Reporting Specialist will develop and implement a strategic communications strategy for the RDPP and producing key communications products for external use with donors and other stakeholders. The Specialist will support partner organisations to develop their communications and visibility plans, including communication with communities, support quality assurance and compliance with RDPP branding. The Specialist will be responsible for ensuring visibility of the RDPP support and programming according to donor requirements. The Specialist will further be responsible to document communication and visibility efforts of the RDPP programme and partners for reporting purposes. The Specialist will ensure the RDPP website is regularly updated and will lead on reporting, drafting programme performance reports for the Steering Committee according to donor requirements, and providing capacity support to partners in communication and reporting.

The post requires frequent work travel to Jordan and Northern Iraq.

The main areas of responsibility and tasks will be:

1. STRATEGIC PROGRAMME COMMUNICATIONS

• Lead the development and implementation of a communications strategy for the RDPP using a range of communications mechanisms and tools, to facilitate better understanding among partners, donors, host governments, beneficiaries and host communities on the work of the RDPP and its partners
• Ensure visibility of the RDPP and support by the donors to the programme in the three programme countries, regionally and, when appropriate, internationally
• Source information and content for use in communications products, including testimonies and stories of change, from partners through field visits and regular communication
• Develop and roll out event specific communications plans and products for use in RDPP events and advocacy initiatives including supporting layout and simple graphic design of communications products
• Act as focal point and liaison for press and journalists for visiting donors, high-level RDPP events or similar activities
• Liaise closely the RDPP Programme Coordinator on press releases, official communication and RDPP branding
• Maintain and update the RDPP website and social media accounts
• Ensure appropriate dissemination of communications and advocacy products
• Support the organizing and related publicity of RDPP hosted events

2. SUPPORT TO RDPP PARTNERS ON COMMUNICATIONS, COMMUNICATION WITH COMMUNITIES

• Support partners to develop their strategy to ensure two-way communication with communities and stakeholders
• Assist partners in developing their project communication strategy and implementation plan
• Ensure compliance of partners with the RDPP communication strategy and branding, including on communication products and press engagements
• Monitoring media on RDPP supported partnerships
• Collect and file from partners reporting in the media and communication products related to the RDPP support

3. B) REPORTING

• Under direction of the Programme Manager, and in coordination with the M&E Specialist ensure timely compilation of project reports from partners. Lead on drafting the narrative annual reporting and provide input to quarterly (QIN) reporting, when necessary.
• Conduct desk review of new reports and literature relevant for the monitoring of RDPP and for reporting
• Conduct support meetings with partner reporting focal points as required
• Together with the RDPP team identify innovative elements the RDPP and its partnerships and collect information on these
• Stay abreast of main development and humanitarian context development relevant to the RDPP
• Prepare ad hoc updates as requested on programme elements

4. Profile / required qualifications

The ideal candidate will be strongly motivated with initiative and willingness to contribute to an innovative programme as the RDPP. S/he will have significant technical experience in leading strategic communications for large scale programmes as well as excellent written communications skills in English. Experience of donor reporting, preferably from EU funded programmes, and communication with communities programming is an asset.

- Academic requirements

• University degree in social sciences, journalism, communications/media studies or other related discipline. A post-graduate qualification will be positively considered.

- Work experience required

• Minimum 5 years of relevant work experience in communications, advocacy and/or media relations or journalism.
• Proven experience of  drafting and consolidating donor reporting in English for a large scale programme for UN, donor agency, NGOs, preferably from EU funded programmes or projects
• Proven experience of developing  and implementing communications plans and products for and international organisation or local NGO will be an asset
• Field experience in humanitarian or development assistance is an asset, as is knowledge of protection and livelihoods programming, including communication with communities
• Knowledge and experience in forced displacement-related programmes will be an asset.

- Languages

• Fluency in English (written and spoken)
• Native/fluent Arabic speaker (written and spoken)

- Skills and competences

• Highly motivated
• Excellent communication skills in English, especially written
• Advanced computer literacy in publishing and graphic design software
• Strong interpersonal  and representational skills
• Planning and organizational capabilities
• Good analytical skills
• Proactive and proposes solutions
• Should be a team-player, but also able to work independently

Please note that the final appointment is conditional upon obtaining the required security clearance.