Media And Communications Officer

ROLE PURPOSE:  To strengthen communication activities by developing and facilitating materials, and which support media and communications objectives of programmes and projects. The main focus of the job is: to raise Save the Children programmes visibility through the production and generation of communication and resources and materials to liaise with media to disseminate information on Save the Children programmes in media outlets and build maintain the organisation’s good notoriety with media and the general public to strengthen Lebanon Country Office external communications in order to promote the rights of the child and to contribute to Save the Children International as a child rights organisation to strengthen internal communications within Lebanon Country Office. to work with other groups and agencies in the pursuit of common objectives KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:   Resource generation to highlight the needs of communities or show the success and impact of programmes   Interview community members and develop case studies and stories based on the needs of the organization or the requests of Save the Children country members, regional office and global office. Take, caption, upload and, as appropriate, publish, photos about successes and needs in Save the Children projects.   Media                        Follow-up and maintain relationships with media based in Lebanon, pitch stories as appropriate, write press releases, and respond to (refer) media requests as needed, alternatively encourage and support partner organizations to facilitate media related activities. Contribute to the planning and organizing of launching events, press conferences and others related to SC in country office. Facilitate media visits and work within incoming media and communications surge support during emergencies. Monitor coverage of key child related issues in media, SC coverage on national, regional and international levels and keep track in a database.   Online and Social Media   Report stories and examples of results according to annual plans and deadlines. Stories should also be reported on a regular basis to be published on the OneNet and Save the Children Lebanon Website Update and feed into the Lebanon OneNet page and the Save the Children Lebanon Website. Develop and explore appropriate use of social media tools (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc) to ensure a higher visibility for SC in Lebanon. Update and feed into InterAgency information portals.  Work with programme staff and partner staff to plan and develop communications and campaigns’ materials in print and electronic to achieve country programme and corporate communications’ objectives. Advise and support programme and fundraising staff in preparing and reviewing documentation and other material to be used for fundraising and relations with donors and other stakeholders regionally. Collect stories and document impact of SC’s work in the field to support fundraising and awareness-raising country objectives. Communications support to programme Advise and support programme staff with communication activities in emergency response situations, according to Emergency Preparedness Plans.  Lead the planning and co-ordination of media visits, in liaison with Save the Children International regional and head offices. Support in the implementation of media and communication plans to maximise programme impact, minimise brand risk, and support programmes’ advocacy objectives.  Branding Advise the office on planning and production of new publications and visibility material.  Proactively develop a high profile for Save the Children in the Lebanon through the production of high quality, well researched, and well written products (in a variety of mediums) reflective of the dual mandate portfolio, responding quickly and appropriately to external requests for information, especially in emergencies Advise that the materials follow SCI brand guidelines, sign-off procedures and checklists for publications, including publishing agreements.  Ensure that the branding and communication guidelines of Save the Children are uniformly and consistently followed across the Lebanon Country Office. Review and edit proposed and on-going communication activities, publications, and relationships to assess potential brand and organizational risks and alert regional and country director or senior management staff of these.   Visibility   Ensure appropriate branding and visibility for donors, be fully aware of the donors’ requirements. Coordinate with security colleagues in terms of visibility and branding and assess any risks in areas of operation. Networking Networking with other media and communications teams within Save the Children and sharing best practices and tools. Advocacy Follow the daily news on the local and international levels and report on news related to SC’s advocacy issues. Share a weekly media monitoring report on news related to SC’s advocacy issues, to help identifying developments related to SC’s advocacy issues.   Other Perform other tasks, as they arise, based on the Media and Advocacy and Communications department’s needs.    QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE At least two years experience working in Media/Communications. Bachelor degree and working experience in journalism or information/communications, including strategic communications planning, or related field. Excellent English written and spoken language skills are essential. Excellent Arabic written and spoken language skills are essential. Ability to work in a team. Ability to perform different and multiple tasks and to deliver in a short period of time. Sound knowledge of publishing, design and printing process and related information and communications technologies. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multicultural environment. Experience in website development and maintenance. Working with children’s rights in developing countries.