Communications Consultant

Initiate is looking to hire a Communications Specialist to develop the communications department and lead on setting the INITIATE’s communications strategy and plan, and will define, implement, coordinate and supervise all Communications and Media operations and projects. The Communications Manager is one of the key positions that aims at building INITIATE’s visibility locally, regionally and globally.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Program communication strategy, plan and implementation for social mobilization

• In collaboration with program technical advisors, the Communications Specialist designs, manages and facilitates the implementation of a communication strategy and plans of action aiming at project beneficiaries, donors, government and the general public to achieve a) behavior development/change at individual/household levels; (b) social mobilization of civil society organizations; and (c) increased community participation in development program for positive social change.
• Support the development of sound country level strategies and plans which efficiently profile the importance of INITIATE’s programs.
• Support the M&E team in ensuring Knowledge Management and Documentation
• Develop risk management matrix for children in contact with the media so as to ensure Safeguarding of Children and Young People

2. Media Management

• Support media work on major humanitarian emergencies to manage media enquiries and link with relevant spokespersons as appropriate
• Build and maintain strong linkages with media at national, regional and international levels, develop partnerships with media outlets.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of media strategy at country level and provide regular strategic reporting and give recommendations

3. Content Development

• Gather internal knowledge and transform it into exciting and useful messages, and disseminate it to the right audiences through identification of the most effective distribution channels
• Produce high quality materials including information packs, fact sheets, opinion pieces, presentations, press  releases,  speeches and talking points, opinion  pieces,  news  reactions,  photos,  blogs, annual reports, newsletters, video  and multimedia content
• Support Programs in ensuring adherence to communication policies, protocols, standards and brand compliance
• Implement guidelines and standards for producing communications content and ensure its being followed

4. Capacity Building

• Provide technical support and mentoring as well as on the job training to communications staff in the country
• Provide support to area teams in identifying communications opportunities, and on producing media content 
• Conduct a communication training to the field staff to support in identifying success, human interest, and photo stories

5. External Communications

• Develop a strategy for external communication with other actors and donors
• Support stakeholder identification and mapping to feed into a comprehensive stakeholder engagement strategy
• Work with program staff  and  partners  to  ensure  production and availability of high  quality  communications products for  a  wide  range  of  audiences  including donors, partners including the private sector, policy makers and the general public, at global, regional and country level.

6. Internal Communications

• Manage INITIATE’s internal communications, exploring new ways to get messages across using social media and online platforms
• Create and manage content for INITIATE’s website content and social media accounts.
• Generate content around high-priority issues and campaigns, edit and produce content that increases staff understanding of our core vision – internal newsletters, communiques, videos, talks
• Manages INITIATE’s website in terms of content, and advise on ways of improvement.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in media or 7 years of relevant professional experience and a master’s degree.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate complicated and technical issues in a concise and clear way, to a wide range of target audiences
• Demonstrated experience of the key responsibilities, including working with media, delivering communications strategies, managing internal communications, knowledge of digital media, and creating networks
• A track record of achieving results and strategic impact on communications and media and in building capacity for teams to deliver
• Development communication experience is an added advantage
• Must show demonstrable impact in using communications as a tool for social change
• Familiarity with the social, political and economic context of the region, and its humanitarian and development issues
• Fluency in English and Arabic, French is a plus
• Experience of working with international NGOs and understanding of a rights-based approach