Govt Liaison And Communications Officer

CONCERN WORLDWIDE IN LEBANON JOB DESCRIPTION GOVERNMENT LIAISON AND COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER   Job Identification             Job Title:                              Govt Liaison and Communications Officer              Location:                              Akkar district, North Lebanon Reporting Line:                 Engineer WASH Staff Reporting:                                Nil Job Status:                          Temporary – 6 months Job Grade:                          Grade 5 Prepared by:                      Emergency Coordinator Date Prepared:                 19 June 2013 Approved by:                    Country Director     Job Summary                     The Government Liaison and Communications Officer role blends two areas of work both relating to external facing functions to promote the programme.  A key result area within Concern’s WASH project is to expand, repair or rehabilitate high priority WASH infrastructure that benefit both host communities and refugees through a WASH infrastructure improvement facility.  This role will liaise and negotiate with local authorities in North to identify potential infrastructure and develop agreeable implementation arrangements.  It is envisaged that there will be other points of interaction with local authorities including working in collective centres, establishment of small formal tented settlements, and provision of services to refugees in their locale.  In addition the post-holder will be required to collate and produce information for external stakeholders (including Concern Head Officer) that illustrates and promotes our work in Lebanon.    Duties and Responsibilities   1. Liaise, and lead negotiations, with local government authorities in North around Concern’s work with refugees. a)      Become familiar with Concern Worldwide and its planned work in Lebanon b)      Identify the relevant municipalities and local authorities in North c)       Make contact with prioritised local authorities introducing Concern Worldwide, its programme and points of cooperation d)      With guidance and direction from senior management, lead discussions and negotiations with selected local authorities e)      Maintain log of contacts with local authorities and record outcomes of discussions f)       Maintain working relationships with local authorities and continually expand our contact base g)      Provide monthly reports of activities   2.  As directed by senior management, prepare communication materials to represent and promote Concern’s work in Lebanon amongst external stakeholders a)      Become familiar with the information needs of different external audiences b)      Under guidance of Country Director/Programme Manager liaise with Concern Head Office communications and fund-raising teams to develop information briefs for Head Office c)       Participate in the development of case studies to illustrate Concern’s work d)      Provide photo images and videos to illustrate Concern’s work in line with Concern’s Image Use policy e)      Prepare layout and copy for brochures, posters, pamphlets etc and oversee their production by selected printers/ promotions companies f)       In coordination with the Accountability Officer, support Concern to meet its minimum quality and accountability requirements in emergencies     3.  Provide translation and interpreting services between Arabic and English as required   4.  Adhere to the standards of conduct outlined in the Programme Participant Protection Policy and Code of Conduct   5.  Support Concern’s work in Lebanon by undertaking other tasks as appropriate and required     Skills, Qualifications, Experience and Attitude Required Recognised      tertiary qualifications in communications or administration or related      discipline At      least three years experience in related field Experience      liaising and collaborating with local government authorities in North Established      network of contacts with local government authorities in North is      desirable Experience      translating documents and providing oral translation services between      English and Arabic Previous      experience working with humanitarian organisations is desirable Strong organisation      and problem solving skills Excellent computer skills in a MS Office and      good command of email Ability to work calmly and efficiently under      pressure to meet tight deadlines Excellent oral and written communication      skills in Arabic. Demonstrated ability to interact with other      people effectively and diplomatically Commitment to maintaining confidentiality Ability to work within deadlines, prioritizing      competing demands and under pressure Ability to negotiate      and assist in the resolution of disputes/conflict Willing      to work in the field as per need of the project activities including      occasional overnight stays away from home base Non-judgmental      attitude and respect for Concern’s beneficiaries, other staff and people      that Concern deals with Commitment to humanitarian principles and      values Commitment to Concern equal opportunity and      gender practices   CONCERN STAFF CODE OF CONDUCT AND PROGRAMME PARTICIPANT PROTECTION POLICY Concern Worldwide has a staff Code of Conduct and a Programme Participant Protection Policy which have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern Staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organization, and the standards of behaviour expected from them. In this context staff has the responsibility to the organization to strive for, and maintain, the highest standard in day to day conduct in their work place in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Programme participant Protection Policy and the Concern Staff Code of Conduct as an appendix to their contract employment. Any breach of Concern Staff Code of Conduct or the Programme participant Protection Policy by employees of Concern Worldwide during the course of their employment will result in disciplinary action up to, and including dismissal.   Counter Terrorism Policy   ‘Concern receives a substantial amount of funding from external donors each year.  Increasingly donors are introducing requirements whereby future funding is conditional on Concern ensuring that the names of any new employee or volunteer do not appear on terrorism lists generated by the European Union (List of person, groups and entities to which Regulation (EC No. 2580/2001 applies), the US Government (Office of Foreign Assets Control list of specially designated Nationals and Blocked Persons) and the United Nations (Consolidated List).    ‘Any offer of employment (either paid or voluntary) with Concern Worldwide will not be made pending a clearance check being conducted on the applicant.  For additional information please consult our web site or contact the Human Resource Division in our Head Office.   By submitting a formal application for paid or voluntary employment to Concern, you agree to Concern carrying out a clearance check as outlined above and that Concern will not proceed to recruit you should your name appear on any of the aforementioned lists.’