Syria Communications Manager

  Purpose of Job:    To lead the co-ordination and delivery of communications objectives for the British Council Syria programmes across the Levant; covering the countries of Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and Iraq.   The person will have a successful track record of working within a corporate communications environment and/or development agency setting. They will have impeccable media relations experience and editorial ability, with experience of working in high pressure, multi country campaigns and initiatives. The candidate will drive communications initiatives, motivating staff, dealing with media and supporting the communications requirements of the Country Director Syria and senior colleagues in the British Council.     The post holder will be responsible for developing communications plans and activities that support the regional and country strategy. They will work closely with the Senior Communications Manager MENA, country communications leads, and members of the regional communications team.       The role comprises two main purposes: i)             Develop and manage implementation of communications strategies and activities for British Council Syria-led projects.  This includes the day-to-day management of and development of the BC Syria Website and Social Media platforms as well as the development and implementation of project-specific campaigns and events. ii)            Lead communications around the British Council’s multi-country ‘Syria Response’.  This includes leading on the development of ‘Syria Response’ communications materials, campaigns and other activities.  For this aspect of the role the post-holder will work closely with British Council project managers and communications leads working on Syria response projects across the region.   Context and Environment:   Despite the suspension of operations inside Syria in 2012, the British Council has continued to deliver cultural relations programming in refugee-hosting countries and elsewhere that aim to make a lasting difference in the lives of Syrians and affected host communities.   The British Council’s response to the Syrian crisis is delivered through multiple teams in offices across the key refugee-hosting countries in the region (Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq) who deliver projects for Syrian refugees and affected host communities, as well as the British Council Syria team, which supports Syrians inside Syria and the diaspora and coordinates multi-country/regional initiatives.   British Council work has focused on supporting a new generation of Syrian social leaders, creating pathways to greater hope and opportunity for young Syrians, and contributing to systemic development in neighbouring countries struggling to cope with the Syrian refugee crisis.   Through our longstanding presence in the most affected refugee-hosting countries we are able to deliver a multi-country, networked approach to the crisis.  Our values and longevity in the region means we are trusted by key parties in host countries, and by civil society in Syria, to deliver sensitive work where others are not.   The work is dynamic, often complex and requires strong regional knowledge and experience.  The British Council works with many partners to deliver its objectives, these partners range from national governments, NGOs, local organisations, trusts, foundations and international bodies such as the EU and UK Government.   In the MENA region, Syria plays a significant role with key programmes being developed, piloted and rolled out in the refugee hosting countries. These programmes allow us to directly engage with millions of young people each year, promoting our values as an organisation and building long term relationships for the UK.   Accountabilities, responsibilities and main duties: Work effectively as part of the Syria country team, and within the wider MENA communications network Plan communications objectives and delivery for British Council activity in coordination with the wider MENA activity Ensure that our work is well represented in all internal British Council communications efforts regionally and globally Provide communications advice for the Director Syria and the senior leadership in the British Council in the form of background briefings, key message development and interview preparation, and identifying opportunities for visibility Act as the focal point between all communications teams involved in the Syria response, providing advice and support where relevant to their country specific work Ensure that the British Council digital presence is targeted and content is relevant to our target audiences Develop suitable promotional materials to support our partnerships and business development teams Be involved in all Syria management meetings to ensure that communications is at the heart of all our activities Manage the British Council Syria website Develop relationships on behalf of the British Council with key media Develop media pitches and craft stories that profile our work both externally and internally Manage service agreements with local vendors and service providers for marketing communication needs: i.e. advertising agencies, publications, associations etc. Work effectively as a member of the wider MENA communications team. Manage the evaluation of communication activities using agreed indicators Other administrative work: As required.   Key relationships:   Internal: Director Syria, Syria Country Team, Regional Executive Team members,  Senior Communications Manager, MENA, Key Country Directors and Country Communications Leads (Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Turkey), SBU Leads, Regional Projects Managers, Local, Regional & UK marketing and communications and digital teams, Programme leads and communications leads.   External: To develop and maintain active relationships and networks with key media, journalists, partners, sponsors marketing and communications business in general.   Other important features or requirements of the job Unsocial/ evening working hours and weekend work may be required. Participation in business related events is often required. Overnight business trips may be occasionally required. English, and Arabic speaker (tested at interview). French language capabilities desirable but not essential.     Please specify any passport and/or nationality requirement Capacity to travel freely throughout the MENA region & to theUK Please indicate if CRB checks are required NA                                         Person Specification       Competencies   Essential   Desirable   Assessment stage     Behaviours         Being accountable (more demanding): delivering my best work in order to meet my commitments   Making it happen (more demanding): delivering clear results for the organisation   Shaping the future (more demanding): looking for ways in which we can do things better   Connecting with others (essential): Actively appreciating the needs and concerns of myself and others   Creating shared purpose (more demanding): creating energy and clarity so that people want to work purposefully together   Working together (more demanding): ensuring that others benefit as well as me       Interview           Interview   Skills and Knowledge           Communicating and influencing (level 4: Uses influencing techniques)   Planning and organising (level 3: Develops and reviews the implementation of annual plans)   Analysing data (level 4: Able to apply or devise specialised concepts and methods of analysis)   Managing Risk – Level 2 Has track record of identifying and highlighting risks and suggesting mitigating actions.     Fluent level of written and spoken English, Arabic,     Excellent presentation skills     Evidence of success in implementing, results-orientated communications campaigns                                     French (C2)   Shortlisting and interview     Shortlisting       Interview           Written task at interview stage           Interview   Experience       At least 5 years’ experience working in a corporate communications role in house or with an agency/ or experience of working in development   Experience of planning, implementing and evaluating the effectiveness of communications activities and campaigns   Strong understanding of the media landscape in the MENA Region   Proven media relations experience   Ability to generate content in English and Arabic for a variety of audiences and channels   Strong presentation abilities   Excellent project management skills     Line management experience desirable     Shortlisting and interview   Qualifications     University Degree and other relevant qualifications/ experience   Post -Graduate qualification  in a related field