Regional Communication and Advocacy Officer for Middle East

Regional Communication and Advocacy Officer for Middle East

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Type of position: Paid job

Country Programme: Syria, Iraq

Base: Erbil (Iraq) with travels within the region

Starting date: ASAP

Contract length: 12 months (with the possibility of prolongation)

Line Manager: Regional Communication and Advocacy Manager for Middle East

Job overview

The role is as a fusion of three specific tasks: information sharing, visibility and advocacy. The position is line-managed by the Regional Communication and Advocacy Manager for Middle East and works in close cooperation with the HQ Communication & Advocacy Department, as well as the Senior Country Management Team (Head of Programmes, Programme Managers etc.). The position covers activities in Syria (80%) and Iraq (20%), and is connected with regular travelling within the region.

Organizational context:

People in Need (PIN) has been working in Northern Syria since 2012, providing emergency relief and early recovery support to conflict-affected communities. Programmes focus mainly on Emergency Food Assistance, WASH, and Education, in addition to Early Recovery and Livelihoods activities. People in Need’s contribution to the Syria humanitarian response is amongst the largest, with an annual turnover of over $30 million, engaging over 350 full-time staff members across Northern Syria based in seven field offices and cross-border response hubs in neighbouring countries (Gaziantep and Erbil).

PIN has been working in Iraq since 2003, providing emergency relief and early recovery support to conflict-affected communities. Programmes focus mainly on Education, in addition to Early Recovery and Livelihoods activities. People in Need’s contribution to the Iraq humanitarian response is amongst the largest of the organization, and it benefits from synergies with the Syrian response, as many of its staff members sit at the same office, in Erbil.

Responsibilities

Information sharing:

  • To support the implementation of the Country programme’s Communication Strategy Framework in close cooperation with the Regional Communication & Advocacy Manager and the HQ Communication & Advocacy Department.
  • To support external communication addressing public, partners and donors with regular reporting about PIN achievements, as well as the humanitarian situation in areas of PIN’s operation
  • To write and collect stories, pictures and videos covering PIN’s activities in coordination with PIN staff in Syria and Iraq and -occasionally- media service providers
  • To support internal communication addressing PIN teams with regular updates about communication outputs and media initiatives
  • To prepare flyers, leaflets, promo materials about PIN programmes and other visual communication that projects require
  • To prepare and deliver inductions, trainings and presentations for PIN staff to build their capacity and awareness about PIN’s communications
  • To support crisis communications and train the Country Director as spokesperson
  • To support communications on behalf of Alliance2015 partners in Iraq, writing articles, collecting data
  • To provide social media support for the HQ Communication & Advocacy Department on Syria materials and to lead Iraq’s channels.
  • To create and maintain archive (stories + photos) according to agreed structure

Visibility

  • To draft communication and visibility sections of reports and proposals in cooperation with programmes and the Grants Department, and HQ Communication & Advocacy Department
  • To lead the creation of visibility products with support from HQ Communication & Advocacy Department
  • To support programmes in managing and spending of visibility budgets
  • To liaise with relevant donor communication focal points
  • To implement, monitor and report on field and external visibility measures in line with PIN guidelines and donor requirements

Advocacy

  • To support advocacy (with humanitarian partners and other relevant stakeholders/initiatives) or individually as PIN for humanitarian issues
  • To support implementation of the country programme’s Advocacy Strategy in close cooperation with Communication & Advocacy Department and PIN Syria Response’s Senior Management Team (SMT)
  • To support the creation of ad hoc advocacy strategies to address crisis developments if necessary (with HQ and programme staff)
  • To undertake, collect and analyse field-based research on the impact of main factors related to the Syrian crisis and of PIN programmes
  • To support draft advocacy messages PIN will communicate
  • To support preparing advocacy, campaigning and communication materials
  • To support PIN’s participation and contribution to Advocacy Working Groups

Requirements for applicants:

  • Fluent in English (proficient level), knowledge of Arabic language is an advantage
  • Understanding and commitment to the values of People in Need
  • Previous experience in Communications in an international NGO
  • Previous experience in Advocacy welcomed
  • Previous media experience welcomed
  • Basic graphic design skills
  • Video and photo editing welcomed
  • Previous work experience in conflict context is an advantage
  • Previous experience in the Middle East is an advantage
  • Enthusiasm to learn new things in communication and advocacy
  • Flexibility
  • Excellent communication skills

PIN Offers:

  • Working environment in a well-established and growing humanitarian organization
  • Travel health insurance
  • Salary and benefits according to People in Need’s salary scale and HR policies, expected starting salary: 2,700 EUR (fixed salary of 1 500 EUR and 1 200 EUR in subsistence allowance)
  • Capacity development
  • Accommodation in PIN’s guesthouse on People in Need’s expenses
  • Shared access to a car for travel within base (Erbil)
  • 25 days of paid leave annually
  • Reimbursement of travel expenses to the country of residence once per every 6 months of completed work,
  • Reimbursement of costs of visas and vaccinations; assistance with visa application procedure
  • Free medical helpdesk and psychological consultation available on line

How to apply:

Are you interested in this position? Great. Send us your CV and short cover letter via this application form.

Please note only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted on rolling basis and the vacancy will be closed when filled.

People in Need staff are expected to perform job duties and responsibilities in accordance with People in Need Code of conduct and key policies (available at: www.peopleinneed.cz/policies).