Communication Assistant (6 Months)

          Lebanon D-RASATI Project   COMMUNICATION ASSISTANT                                                    Project description Developing Rehabilitation Assistance to Schools and Teachers Improvement (D-RASATI) will improve educational outcomes in Lebanon by improving teacher and student performance, increasing community and parental involvement, and improving the school learning environment.  D-RASATI is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).   About EDC Founded in 1958, EDC is an international nonprofit organization that works to build bridges between educational research, policy, and practice. EDC’s headquarters are located in Waltham, MA, USA. We also have offices in New York City, NY, USA; Washington, DC, USA; Nairobi, Kenya and numerous project offices around the world. EDC has over 350 projects in 35 countries with approximately 1700 employee worldwide.   Title:  Communication Assistant      Summary: Education Development Center is seeking a Communication Assistant to support project reporting, preparation of project products,  and coordination of  media events. The Communications Assistant will be the main point of contact with D-RASATI’s printing agency. This position will report to the Chief of Party and will be located in Beirut, Lebanon.     Essential functions include [but are not limited to]:   Main duties and responsibilities: Liaise with external  company that has developed the branding and visuals for project Contribute to the planning and development of the D-RASATI PR and communication efforts Draft and issue press releases, information notes, and written materials for media Maintain database of D-RASATI media contacts list Work with D-RASATI staff to identify communication opportunities, plan for communication events, and write up success stories and other public relation materials. Other Tasks related to D-RASATI outreach and communication efforts.     Qualifications and Requirements:   At least 3 years of experience in communication, marketing or journalism, , with emphasis on NGO/development communications . Knowledge of communication software packages and office publishing tools (Microsoft Office, Photoshop…). Excellent writing skills Knowledge of communication strategies Media and awareness-raising experience, including preparation of talking points, press kits, etc. A strong capacity for analysis, communication and information management Experience in organizing media events Commitment to creating positive environmental, social and cultural change Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of  a team Ability to manage many tasks, coordinate with multiple partners, meet tight deadlines and work under pressure Ability to take initiatives and be flexible and adaptable in a changing environment Full proficiency in spoken and written Arabic and English required and will be tested Knowledge of D-RASATI project preferred     Application and contact details:   Interested qualified candidates are requested to submit their resumes to hr@d-rasati.org  .  To ensure the timely review of your credentials, please insert “Communication Assistant” in the subject line of the email.  Only candidates who are being invited for an interview will be contacted.  Our hiring is limited to Lebanese nationals. Please note that this position will end December 31, 2013.     EDC is committed to diversity in the workplace. EDC offers a supportive work environment, competitive salary, and an excellent benefits package.