Outreach & Communication Officer - Governance And Social Stability Sector

DISCLAIMER It is mandatory to mention the job title in the subject of your application email Applicants who do not mention the position they are applying for will be disregarded   PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty, and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities. The agency pursues its mission through emergency relief services, sustainable community development, civil society and economic development initiatives. Mercy Corps has been present in the Middle East since the 1980s and currently has offices in Yemen, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, and Egypt. Working in Lebanon since 1993, Mercy Corps promotes economic and social development in marginalized communities and respond to emergency needs as they emerge. Since the outbreak of the conflict in Syria in 2011, Mercy Corps in Lebanon has shifted its programs towards emergency based interventions while integrating long-term development programming by focusing on key sectors: Protection, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Governance and Social Stability (GSS), and Livelihoods. Under the scope of the Governance and Social Stability (GSS) Sector, Mercy Corps is working in the North Governorate and Bekaa mainly in Baalbek-Hermel Governorate and Bekaa Governorate, targeting in particular nine vulnerable municipalities (Rayak, Kfarzabad, Kab Elias, Jeb Jannine, Qaraoun, Ksarnaba, Douris, and Fakiha). The overall objective of the programs is to empower vulnerable municipalities and communities to mitigate conflict exacerbated by the Syrian crisis. In this regard, Mercy Corps works closely with municipalities to mobilize and enrich community members with skills that can help them identify sources of common tensions and create action plans that will mitigate those tensions. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Events Conduct field visits to project sites; and organize media/donor field visits to project sites, and ensure its visibility; Prepare and organize dissemination events/meetings including press conferences, and meetings with the communities; Organize inaugurations and hand-over events, in coordination with MC’s communication department. Communication Strategy and tools Draft, design, and prepare brochures and leaflets; Develop documentaries summarizing the work of the sector’s community based projects to raise awareness on the interventions, conduct field visits and engage targeted communities in its content; Draft/edit/review reports, press releases, articles, stories, speeches, etc.; Creating and developing a photo gallery of all community based projects at MC; Contribute to and follow up with software developers in relation to various communication tools and platforms (i.e. website, online surveys, software, applications, etc.). Outreach & Campaigns Ensure addressing the host communities’ perception in the communication strategy; Follow up and monitor the elaboration of communication messages through the projects, and contribute to the development of communication messages and materials of the project; Identify and engage reporters, photographers, and consultants for provision of needed services related to media and communication; and prepare/contribute to relevant Terms of Reference; Follow up with translators/graphic designers/film makers for translating as well as designing, printing and filming, including proof reading and editing; Collect, compile, and consolidate knowledge base material (i.e. relevant information, news, material, data, statistics, resources, success stories, good practices, etc.) to be used for various purposes i.e. newsletters, website, leaflets, reports, websites, speeches, social media, etc.; Coordinate with MC’s communication department to ensure partnerships with all media outlets; Prepare and oversee the production of short clips and documentaries (Camera-man, audio-man, etc.) to be used for media and social media campaigns, as well as archived background for the project and prepare cost-related budget; Scan local news and resources on refugees and host communities matters – including ones involving and projects – through compiling summary of key issues and forwarding them to relevant team members; Organize interviews for the staff and donor representatives as requested, in coordination with the MC media and communication coordinator. Prepare a social media strategy (Facebook, twitter, Instagram…), in coordination with the MC media and communication coordinator; and ensure visibility on all social media outlets. Other Considerations Follow the rules and regulations of MC and meet the program’s objectives and abide to the set work plan; Conduct herself/himself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission; Organizational Learning As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves. ACCOUNTABILITY REPORTS DIRECTLY TO:  Sector Manager  WORKS DIRECTLY WITH:  Project Managers, Senior Program Coordinator, Social Coordinator, Media and Communication Coordinator, M&E Coordinator, Operations, Finance, field teams & partners. KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE BA/S or equivalent in communication, media, social work, social sciences, human rights, or other relevant field required, MA preferred; At least 4-5 years of experience in community outreach, Communication, and Media; Experience in the following: Preparation and follow-up on videos and short documentary production; Photography; Events planning; and preparation of hand-over events and donors’ visits docs; Available to work on weekends and evenings, to support events and field activities; Very strong written and oral communication skills in both English and Arabic (Arabic is strongly required), including report development, writing and editing; Strong management skills, with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues and ability to work with refugee and host community populations; Experience working with municipalities and local communities; Understanding of community dynamics preferred, but not required; Strong understanding of refugee issues in the current Lebanon context; Mature, responsible, and diplomatic in their interactions with others; Ability to work independently with limited supervision, as well as part of a team; Positive, respectful attitude and collaborative approach to problem solving; Demonstrated attention to detail; ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently as well as cooperatively with team members; Significant knowledge and understanding of the current political, economic, cultural and historical context of Lebanon preferred; Ability and willingness to travel regularly to the field. Ability to work under pressure, independently, and with limited supervision; Diplomatic, creative, flexible, and energetic, hard-working, and eager to learn; Strong commitment to the communities, and to teamwork and accountability; Deep commitment and interest in development and humanitarian principles and values; Able to carry out assigned tasks in a timely manner and according to a very high standard of quality; Willingness to learn new skills and methodologies; Demonstrated organizational skills; Demonstrated creative problem-solving skills; Security, political and cultural aware; Ability to multi-task while meeting several pressing deadlines; Pays attention to detail and is meticulous, thorough, and results-oriented. SUCCESS FACTORS Ability to work under pressure, independently, and with limited supervision; Diplomatic, creative, flexible, and energetic, hard-working, and eager to learn; Strong commitment to the communities, and to teamwork and accountability; Deep commitment and interest in development and humanitarian principles and values; Able to carry out assigned tasks in a timely manner and according to a very high standard of quality; Willingness to learn new skills and methodologies; Demonstrated organizational skills; Demonstrated creative problem-solving skills; Security, political and cultural aware; Ability to multi-task while meeting several pressing deadlines; Pays attention to detail and is meticulous, thorough, and results-oriented.