Media, Advocacy And Communications Coordinator ( Beirut )

Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in need around the world. Save the Children has been operating in Lebanon since 1999 and is recognized for its commitment to accountability, innovation and collaboration.  Save the Children currently implements programs in Child Protection, Education, CRC, Health and Nutrition, Food Security & Livelihood, Shelter, and Emergency Response throughout Lebanon.   Save the Children is seeking qualified candidates to fulfill the following positions, for its Lebanon Country Office, in the following locations Beirut, Tripoli, Akkar and Bekaa:   ROLE PURPOSE:  To strengthen communication activities by developing and facilitating materials, and events which support media, communications and advocacy objectives of programmes and projects.   The main focus of the job is: to liaise with SCI and regional head offices in developing clear messages, planning strategies and  events to strengthen LCO 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 LCO to strengthen the competence and capacity in advocacy and communications of staff and to facilitate the support to partner organisations within advocacy and communications to work with other groups and agencies in the pursuit of common objectives SCOPE OF ROLE: Reports to: Media, Advocacy and Communications Manager/ in their absence to the Country Director Dimensions: Save the Children Lebanon country office has a national coverage with a current staff complement of approximately 400 staff and current expenditure of approximately $40 million. Staff directly reporting to this post:  Communications officers, technical supervision of communication focal points in the field. Core responsibilities: Communications support to programme, advocacy and fundraising Contribute to the development, implementation, and evaluation of a country media, advocacy and communications strategy, Plan of Action, and communications budget for SCI in Lebanon to strengthen SCI reputation as an advocate for children’s rights.   Support in the development and implementation of advocacy and communication plans to maximise programme impact, minimise brand risk, and support programmes’ advocacy objectives.  Contribute to the development of media, communication and advocacy strategy and related policies and procedures.   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 SCI regional and head offices   Work with programme staff and partner staff to plan and develop communications and campaigns’ materials in print, audio visual, 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 SCI’s work in the field to support fundraising, awareness-raising, and advocacy’s country objectives.   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 in the news letters. Update and feed into the Lebanon OneNet page.  \ 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, and coordinate with budget holders to have clear communication budgets and plan accordingly.   Plan and organize launching events, press conferences and others related to SC in country office.   Coordinate with Security manager in terms of visibility and branding and assess any risks in areas of operation.   Media Follow-up and maintain relationships with media based Lebanon, pitch stories as appropriate, write press releases, and respond to (refer) media requests as needed, alternatively encourage and support partner organisations to facilitate media related activities.   Liaise and maintain contact with members and implement communication activities including facilitating media visits and working within incoming media & 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.   Networking Networking with other media, communications and advocacy teams within Save the Children and sharing est best practices and tools. SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice) Accountability: Holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved Ambition: Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others Future orientated, thinks strategically Collaboration: Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, members and external partners and supporters Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength Flexible and willing to support Creativity: Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions Willing to take disciplined risks Integrity: Honest, encourages openness and transparency QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE At least five years experience working in Media/ Advocacy/Communications.. Master’s 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 highly desirable Ability to work in a team, both as leader and participant. Ability to manage 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 including budget follow up 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. Training on children’s rights and communications APPLICATION PROCESS   Please note that the closing date for applications is : For External applicants on March  22  .               The selection committee will review all applications as they are received. All applicants must meet the minimum requirements described above, and those unable to meet these requirements will not be considered. No further information will be given over the phone.   Please note: due to the critical nature of this recruitment, applications will be reviewed as they are received and successful candidates contacted on an on-going basis.  Internal Applicants are given priority in the recruitment process.   STARTING DATE: Immediate.  We’re looking for people who can start as soon as possible or within the next few weeks.   Each application package should include the following: •           Job title for the role you are applying for in subject header of the email •           Cover letter with the applicant’s current contact information •           CV (including detailed work experience, education/degrees)  –  3pages maximum •           Professional References (minimum of three, with complete contact information) •           Kindly do not send supporting certificates and documents at this stage •           Letter and CV should be saved into one Word or PDF document and sent to lebanonhrb@savethechildren.org   Applications not including all of the above information will not be reviewed. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.   We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.  All applicants will also be subject to Save the Children’s usual Child Safeguarding Policy and reference checking process.