Country Communications Officer

The main objective of the position is to ensure that relevant information and documentation about the local context and project activities reach timely the Regional Office. The role of the Country Communications Officer includes:

a) communication, to give a voice to people in need, illustrate JRS activities, inform the stakeholders about local context;

b) public relation, to maintain relationships with local media, to facilitate visits of partners, and to be delegated by the CD in some stakeholder meetings, and

c) support JRS advocacy.

Works directly with: Country Director, Project Communication focal points, Regional Communications officer, Regional Advocacy Officer.

Main Responsibilities of the position

1.Communication

a)      Provide weekly updates to the Regional Office (RO) including relevant information concerning the overall situation:

• On general situation in the Country and Project locations, regarding security, basic living conditions, economical situation, health situation, specific events (elections…)
• If anything extraordinary occurs – especially if it is something that affects JRS staff/ activities : inform RO as soon as possible.

b)      Visit projects, perform regular interviews and collect monthly the interviews from the projects, including:

• Testimonies (according to JRS testimony guidelines).
• Human-interest stories, stories from the team (even if they are only 200 words long).
• JRS events that are not day-to-day activities (e.g. the Handcrafts Exhibition).

c)      Collect monthly the photos from the projects to develop the database. Maintain database of selected photos following highly secured procedures  (organized in folders according to event/ theme/ activity and with a .txt file giving a brief description with date, location and event of the photos) and produce high quality photographic images of JRS activities for publications, donors, partners and the media.

d)      Preparation of press releases and statements, and creation of newsletters and any other publications regarding JRS activities in the Country.

e)      Manage and update social media accounts of JRS in the Country while coordinating with the Regional Communications Officer.

2.Public Relations

a)      Establish and maintain relations with key strategic media partners. Attend regular meetings with them in order to update them.

b)      Keep updated database of key strategic media partners working in the same areas / services as JRS.

c)      Facilitate the visits of the Projects for partners and stakeholders.

d)      Is the focal point for requests from JRS or partners regarding the situation and general information in the Projects.

e)      May be delegated by the Country Director to attend specific meetings for NGOs.

3.Advocacy

a)      Support the Regional Advocacy Officer in all duties and as requested

4.Ensure prompt execution of other tasks which are within the ambit of a Country Communications Officer, and which may be requested by the Country Director, as needs occur.

Qualification & Competencies

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or related field.
• At least 1-3 years of relevant working experience in the area of Communication, PR, or working in humanitarian field;
• Fluency in Arabic and English are required, written and oral;
• Proficient in use of computer applications related to the tasks.
• Ability to write clear and well-argued articles;
• Strong ability to work independently, organize work, meet deadlines, delegate work, work under pressure.
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills, communication skills.
• Demonstrated strong analytical skills and objective judgments.
• Creative, flexible and detail oriented.