Communication Officer

Search for Common Ground (SFCG) is a non-governmental organization working to transform the way societies deal with conflicts. We have acquired over 30 years of experience in peacebuilding and are based in 53 local offices worldwide. SFCG first worked in Lebanon in 1996, and we opened up our office here in 2008. The issues we address are multiple, such as conflicts arising within Lebanon's diverse society, tensions resulting from the increasing influx of Syrian refugees, security sector reform, as well as women’s socio-economic empowerment. In each project we seek to engage all stakeholders and strengthen local capacities in order to create sustainable change and increase social cohesion. Summary of Position The Communication Officer will be responsible for developing and managing SFCG Lebanon’s Communication Strategy, building relations with local and international media and documenting the impact of the work of SFCG in Lebanon. Responsibilities Develop and manage the SFCG Lebanon 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 SFCG Lebanon project and support Project Coordinators in implementing these strategies; Develop and maintain relations with national and international media and coordinate with SFCG HQ in order to ensure maximum coverage of SFCG events and projects in Lebanon; Produce a monthly newsletter for internal and external communications, highlighting key activities, achievements and  major upcoming events; Document the impact of SFCG’s work in Lebanon through testimonials and success stories from involved stakeholders in order to support awareness raising, fundraising, and advocacy objectives; Increase SFCG Lebanon’s 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. As job description cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key duties. Requirements and Qualifications Lebanese citizen Bachelor’s degree (Master’s Degree preferred) in a subject area relevant to the position, such as communications, journalism, international relations, social sciences or related field Minimum of two (2) years of related experience in INGOs Experience in the field of peacebuilding/conflict transformation is a strong asset Skills Understanding of and experience in harnessing traditional and social media for awareness-raising and advocacy; Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Arabic; Excellent interpersonal and networking skills; Ability to take initiatives and pro-actively contribute to advance SFCG mission. Ability to work within deadlines, prioritizing competing demands under pressure; Creative problem solving skills, particularly in challenging situations; Demonstrated organizational skills as well as an attention to detail; Cultural sensitivity and adaptability; Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Adobe suite or other software and online communication tools   Salary: Commensurate with experience and education, with benefits.   To Apply: Please send a cover letter / letter of application, resume, salary requirements (or current salary), projected start date, and where you found this job posting by 25 June, 2016 with the subject heading: Communication Officer through the following link: https://sfcg.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=519 . No phone calls please. Please see our web site www.sfcg.org for full description