NGO JOBS

Organization: Jesuit Refugee Service
Country: Burundi
Closing date: 23 May 2014

The Jesuit Refugee Service Great Lakes Africa Communications Officer is responsible for the development and implementation of the JRS regional communications strategy. The role of the communications officer is to promote activism among the JRS target audience, give a voice to refugees and other forcibly displaced persons, support JRS advocacy and promote awareness of key migration-related issues. Reporting directly to the JRS Great Lakes Africa Regional Director, the Communications Officer works closely with the International Communications Coordinator, as well as with the Regional Advocacy Officer.

Responsibilities include:

Direction of the work

• Develops and reviews the JRS Great Lakes Africa communications strategy, as well as the media strategy.
• Communicates the mission, vision, values and activities of JRS throughout the region – particularly the experiences of the refugees whom JRS serves, the situations in which they live and the causes of their displacement – to specific target groups as well as to wider audiences.
• Facilitates and encourages a culture of communication within JRS Great Lakes Africa.
• Produces quality content in the region, in line with JRS International guidelines.
• Assumes overall responsibility for the JRS regional website and contributes content to the JRS International Office communications platforms.
• Edits and regularly updates content including photos, articles, social media campaigns and videos to ensure situation updates are current and that regional project updates are regularly posted.
• Oversees the conception, design, production, translation and dissemination of e-publications, as well as other information materials, in close cooperation with the International Communications Coordinator.
• Coordinates and oversees the production of contributions from the region to JRS International e-publications and identifies non-JRS platforms on which to republish JRS content.
• Maintains the regional website, creating, commissioning and editing regular, quality content, including photos.

Finance and budgeting

• Identifies and produces materials for specifically defined donor groups in cooperation with regional and fundraising officers.
• Liaises with the Great Lakes Africa Finance Officer to define budgetary needs and ensure the resources of the area are expended accordingly.

Care for personnel

• Provides, or procures, training for field and other key staff in the region on communications, media and photography skills thus ensuring a constant flow of accurate and up-to-date regional information.
• Provides support in all areas of external communications to field and other key staff to ensure development and implementation of communications plans.

Communication

• Develops and maintains regular contact with the JRS International office staff, country directors and, where appropriate, with field personnel and project directors.
• Edits and supervises the writing, production, translation and dissemination of regular e-publications in the region, including human interest stories, interviews, etc. for JRS and non-JRS publications.
• Maintains the photo database and produces high quality photographic images of JRS activities for publications, donors, partners and the media.
• Maintains and updates JRS regional distribution list on a regular basis; creates and manages a database of online donors and supporters and seeks new ways of reaching the JRS target audience and gaining new supporters.
• Provides limited IT support to field and other key staff in the region related to the maintenance and e-mail management.

Representation of JRS

• Prepares press releases responds to media requests for information, and organises press conferences in cooperation with the Great Lakes Africa Advocacy Officer and the International Communications Coordinator.
• Facilitates interviews and other cooperation between the media and JRS personnel in the region as requested.
• Adapt and implement the regional media strategy and plan, in consultation with the International Communications Coordinator.

Advocacy

• Updates the Great Lakes Africa Advocacy Officer and the International Communications Coordinator on recent reports, news, statistics and other relevant information related to the context of forced migration.
• Works closely with the International Communications Coordinator and the Great Lakes Africa Advocacy Officer; identifies key public advocacy issues affecting the organisation; and produces relevant materials for a variety of publications, including the regional website, international website and the media.

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in communications, international relations or other relevant discipline.
• Minimum of two years experience in managing websites and social media tools, preferably with a human rights or development organisation.
• Minimum of two years of working experience in editing and writing material in a variety of styles in line with the agreed organisational messages and defined audiences.
• Experience working with media and developing and implementing agreed media plans.
• Proven ability to plan and successfully implement a comprehensive outcome-oriented communications plan, in line with agreed objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to build the capacity of staff from a variety of backgrounds and work in a multicultural environment.
• Fluent and excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, as well as strong written and verbal communication skills in French.
• Working experience of Photoshop software, as well as a sound understanding of photography and photo management software.
• Commitment to the mission, vision and values of the Jesuit Refugee Service, and to their incorporation in all published work of the organisation.
• Strong understanding of issues related to forced migration, humanitarian crises, current events and international development-related issues. Knowledge of the Great Lakes Africa context is an advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to work and deliver under pressure and tight deadlines.
• Proven ability to think strategically and analyse diverse information from varied sources.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to nurture and maintain stakeholder relationships.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team, working effectively and cooperatively with others towards achievement of shared goals.
• Ability to produce short videos, as well as design printed materials with Adobe InDesign, is an advantage.

How to apply:

For more information and to submit application materials, please visit the job description on the Jesuit Refugee Service website.