Communications Project Officer

Organisational Background ABAAD is a non-profit, non-politically affiliated, non-religious civil association that aims to achieve gender equality as an essential condition to sustainable social and economic development in the MENA region. ABAAD seeks to promote women’s equality and participation through policy development, legal reform, gender mainstreaming, engaging men, eliminating discrimination, and advancing and empowering women to participate effectively and fully in their communities. ABAAD also seeks to support and collaborate with civil society organisations that are involved in gender equality programmes and advocacy campaigns. ABAAD is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to PSEA.   ABAAD’s EU-Funded “BelSalameh” Project Under the European Union’s call “Support for People in Syria Affected by the Crisis – Phase II,” ABAAD was recently awarded a grant in order to carry out “BelSalameh,” a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and social cohesion project inside Syria. The project aims to support Syrian men and women in war-torn Syria to actively engage and contribute as citizens in rebuilding peace and resilience at the individual and social levels. The project duration is 24 months, and will be taking place in both, Lebanon and Syria. The project’s direct and indirect beneficiaries are residents of Syria. Under this new EU-funded project, ABAAD is recruiting a Logistics Project Officer to support with the implementation of project activities and reporting.   JOB DETAILS Purpose: The Communications Project Officer will support with the implementation of the project activities on the communications level and contribute to meeting the project objectives as required under the aforementioned component. Reporting Lines: Post holder reports to: Project Manager   Dimensions: Required to make sound judgments regularly within agreed processes and frameworks using a good understanding of the Syrian socio-political and cultural context and sensitivities. Expected to activate and maintain dynamic and interactive communication channels, especially related to social media and mainstream media. Expected to make trips to the field, as necessary, both in Lebanon and in Syria, to ensure proper documentation of scheduled activities, while ensuring to adhere to the necessary confidentiality and ethical standards. Key Responsibilities: Visibility and Communication Contributes to project visibility and prominence in line with the agreed-upon action plan with the Project Manager. Ensures the compilation and regular release of an e-newsletter as per agreed-upon conditions. Conducts communications and PR logistical tasks as necessary. Facilitates field visits of key EU people (visibility and security). Assists in other relevant tasks as requested by the Project Manager and as deemed necessary for the programme development. Documentation Drafts press releases (in English and Arabic) and concise activity leads to share on social media. Attends project activities for documentation purposes to be used in project reporting (while respecting confidentiality and set ethical guidelines). Captures learning and documents success stories, to ensure that the project’s inputs are producing positive results. Handles inventorying information, education, and communication (IEC) materials and collects feedback. Ensures proper digital and printed documentation of activities, and contributes to the periodic monitoring of the project as well as learning reviews. Security and Current Events Keeps updated on the situation in Syria, and communicates updates to team, with specific emphasis on team security.   Skills and Competence: University degree in communications, journalism, audiovisual communications, or related field. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Arabic. Highly skilled in press release writing. Familiarity with Syria and the Syrian context, and able to anticipate and avoid challenges related to cultural sensitivities. Ability to follow news and remain up to date with the situation in Syria, especially security situation, to contribute to ensuring team safety. Ability to work well under pressure and with others/as part of a team. Highly skilled in maintaining social media presence. Respects all set deadlines, and ensures timely responses to media and relevant partners as required. Basic knowledge of design desirable. Experience in event coordination on a public relations level desirable. Proven track record of working in a similar capacity with NGOs in Syria and/or Lebanon. Excellent organisational skills. Knowledge of gender and gender equality. Positive attitude, effective member of team and role model; takes initiative and demonstrates creativity in seeking better ways to do things and shares with team, and promotes ethical and high standards. Takes responsibility for own work and delegated project/processes. Anticipates problems and regularly and proactively provides solutions. Proactively comes up with ideas to ensure visibility.