Communications Officer

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Communications and Fundraising Resources

• Travel frequently to field sites to pro-actively and re-actively obtain and pitch resources.
• Gather and prepare communication materials for input into the document management software and online photo database
• Gather and prepare fundraising materials (e.g. gift handles, direct marketing resources, thank-you videos).
• Work closely with the Communications Manager to gather specific resources for HQ initiatives and projects, the year-end campaign, events, or fundraising pushes
• Work with affiliate offices to complete necessary projects.
• Provide in-country briefings to all staff about their role in communicating about the organisation and its work privately and to support the public communication and fundraising activities of Medair.
• Prepare list of questions based on quarterly themes. Develop questions and themes with other regional COs.

Media and Public Relations:

• Regularly monitor local press and events  and in case  of emergency situations, immediately inform the Communications Manager
• Prepare, organise, and lead field visits of high profile visitors, photographers, journalists, or media crews. Create an on-going list of hooks based on current events. Read the news each day!
• Propose stories, press statements and news items according to the brand and media communication guidelines
• Advise national staffregarding media and communication. Develop Key Messages with the CM and provide training to field staff as necessary for interviews.
• Act as media spokesperson for Medair’s interests (esp. Arabic speaking media) in the field in close coordination with the CM.
• Proactively liaise with local, regional, national and international media in the field each month.
• Keep an updated list of all staff names and security photos.

Social Media

• Train and encourage field staff on the appropriate use of online social media. Actively monitor Arabic communications initiated by field staff (e.g. social media posts, personal websites, blogs, newsletters, etc.) and if necessary propose corrective actions to ensure strong brand reputation.
• Support HQ CFR in maintaining relations with online social media users and fans
• Facilitate and produce short content updates and creative interactive features on Facebook and other social media such as Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest, in coordination with the CM and HQ.

Internal Communication

Assist field leadership team in developing tools and structures to pro-actively support the team in improving internal communication within the programme, e.g. internal news, contributing to team meetings, prayer reports, etc.
Distribute the Annual Report, newsletters and other communication material among staff and external contacts in the field as appropriate.

Brand and co-branding Coordination

• Assist Medair staff  on institutional donor and Medair visibility budgets, conditions, and requirements.
• Create field communication tools at the request of the PMs or other support staff.
• Raise awareness about appropriate branding in team trainings and meetings; ensure that Medair staff, facilities and equipment  have access to appropriate Medair branded items.
• Ensure proper photos and office visibility is set up. Approve office visibility through Communications Manager.

Other

• Report monthly to HQ CFR using the CFR Situation Report.

Person Specification:

• Experience in media, communications, advertising, marketing, or fundraising
• Excellent English (spoken and written) and Arabic (spoken and written)
• Excellent computer skills (Word & excel)
• Passion for and understanding of humanitarian issues
• Excellent and inspiring communicator
• Capacity to work under pressure and manage personal stress levels
• Able to work to tight deadlines
• Creative, open-minded, flexible, self-learner
• Highly organised with a creative flair and a good attention to detail
• Excellent writing skills with the ability to target different audiences, adapting technical language, ‘human interest’ angles and sector needs.