Communication Officer

Context

The Middle East is currently experiencing a profound crisis. The conflicts in Syria and Iraq are both a reflection and a transmitter of this crisis, with growing potential to further destabilise neighbouring countries and the wider region. These crises have resulted in a humanitarian disaster affecting more than 13.5 million people who were forced to flee their homes from Syria, and more than 17 million people in need of humanitarian aid (12.2 in Syria and 5.2 in Iraq).

Lebanon is now home to the largest number of Syrian refugees per capita relative to its total population, putting a severe strain on the country’s fragile infrastructures, economy, and security. The population of Lebanon was estimated at about 4.8 million (including almost half a million Palestinian refugees[1]) in 2013. Even though Lebanon has not signed the 1951 Refugee Convention, up to date it has taken in about a fourth of its own population. According to UNHCR, in September 2016 about 1,017,433 persons from Syria were registered as refugees in Lebanon.[2] In the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan 2017- 2020 (2018 update) (LCRP), the total number of people living in Lebanon is estimated at 5.9 million, with 3.3 million people in need. Among the Syrian refugee population in Lebanon, which today comprises over 1.5 million people.[3]

Background information on Qudra Specific Objective 3

’Qudra – Resilience for Syrian refugees, IDPs and host communities in response to the Syrian and Iraqi crises’ is a regional action financed by the EU Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis, the  Madad‘ Fund and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), seeking to strengthen the resilience of Syrian refugees, IDPs and host communities in response to the Syrian and Iraqi crises.  The programme launched in June 2016, is being jointly implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Expertise France (EF) and Spanish Agency for International Development (AECID) in programme partner countries of Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and North Iraq.

In Lebanon, MoSA and Expertise France ensure the consistency and the implementation of the Specific Objective 3 of Qudra. The project seeks to improve social stability between communities in Lebanon through a comprehensive and local approach of protection for children and adults. To do so, activities will revolve around four pillars: (i) support to the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA), (ii) focus on child protection activities, (iii) protection activities and (iv) dissemination of information. Expertise France will work within the framework of the National Plan of MoSA for CP and GBV

The programme will be implemented in SDCs of MoSA. Expertise France and MoSA had selected 4 local NGOS: Abaad, Afel, Akkarouna and Mouvement Social as implementing partners to implement activities related to child protection and protection. These NGOs will hire the necessary staff and implement the activities following a precise programme.

Description of the Tasks under the Technical supervision of the Project Manager and the Administrative guidance of the SDCS director

Through SDC and Mobile Units when existing/needed

Description of the Tasks:

• Communication strategy – Elaboration of a communication and visibility plan.
• Communication tools – Contribute to the elaboration and diffusion of communication materials.
• Organization of communication events – Prepare and organize launching events.
• Technical assistance - Provide programme partners, beneficiaries and stakeholders with necessary technical assistance to improve performance.
• Support the implementation of the programme and increase the visibility of the actions
• Develop and manage the Akkarouna traditional and online Communication Strategy. This includes working with the Design, Monitoring & Evaluation and Learning Manager to develop both internal and external messages that support senior leadership, reinforce the attainment of the organization’s objectives, and are aligned with the organization’s global communication strategy; ensuring the clarity and consistency of communication materials, as well as collecting feedback on communications in order to determine best practices and areas for improvement;
• Develop a customized communication strategy for each project and support Project Coordinators in implementing these strategies;
• Develop and maintain relations with national and international media and coordinate with Akkarouna HQ in order to ensure maximum coverage of events and projects;
• Produce a monthly newsletter for internal and external communications, highlighting key activities, achievements and  major upcoming events;
• Document the impact of work in Akkarouna through testimonials and success stories from involved stakeholders in order to support awareness raising, fundraising, and advocacy objectives;
• Increase Akkarouna online presence by growing its audience and increasing engagement through social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, etc.).
• Conduct interviews with project participants and stakeholders
• Liaise with film makers and editors in the production of promotional clips and documentaries
• Draft blog posts, articles and press releases for projects and events
• Prepare presentations and speeches for public events and manage stakeholders database and invitations.
• Gather information and data, and produce and distribute messages through appropriate channels
• Preparation and dissemination of newsletter or any relevant material to stakeholders and community awareness, where appropriate, to support projects implementation
• Contribution to the preparation of relevant items for Committee meetings
• Facilitate the dialogue between local actors regarding communication and visibility
• Produce a final report capturing all deliverables and achievements of the assignment.

Requested Profile

• University degree in communication, international relations or any relevant field;
• Requested highest demonstrable professional skills on : Inter-cultural communication, Team work, Show autonomy and initiative
• A minimum of 3-5 years of professional experience in communication and organization of events;
• Experience within public agencies/ public offices, European programmes or international projects
• Good knowledge of the Lebanese political context as well as of the relationship between host and refugee communities.
• Excellent reporting and writing skills
• Professional working knowledge of English & Arabic are required.