Communications Officer

Syria

Journalism/Media - Public Relations

Finished or Exempted (For male)

1- Communications and Fundraising Resources:
• Travel frequently to field sites to pro-actively and re-actively obtain and pitch resources including photography, interviews, case studies, and video etc.
• Gather and prepare communication materials for input into online databases
• Proactively engage in the weekly and monthly regional communications meetings, and the quarterly global editorial meeting, including pitching and collaborating with other Communications Officers from other country programmes.
• Gather and prepare fundraising materials (e.g. gift handles, direct marketing resources, thank-you videos) in coordination with the Engagement Department at the Global Support Office (GSO) in Switzerland
• Work closely with the Regional Communications Manager (RCM) to gather specific resources for GSO initiatives and projects, the year-end campaign, events, or fundraising pushes
• Work with European affiliate offices to complete necessary projects, including pitching new ways to highlight the Lebanon programme.
• Provide in-country briefings to all staff about their role in communicating about the organisation and its work privately and to support the public communication and fundraising activities of Medair.
• Act as the key Communications focal point for all communications enquiries about Lebanon.
• Provide support to the Programme Funding Manager to deliver Private Funding proposals and reports to small institutional donors and foundations.

2- Representation to Local Stakeholders:
• Work with Programmes and Liaison Coordinator to ensure any communications pieces developed are acceptable for local stakeholders
• Meet with local stakeholders as needed to get approval on communications pieces developed & including but not limited to SARC and line ministries

3- Media and Public Relations:
• Regularly monitor local press and events and in case of emergency situations, immediately inform the Regional Communications Manager.
• Prepare, organise, and lead field visits of high profile visitors, photographers, journalists, or media crews. Create an on-going list of hooks based on current events. Read the news each day!
• Propose stories, press statements and news items according to the brand and media communication guidelines
• Advise national staff regarding media and communication. Develop Key Messages with the RCM and provide training to field staff as necessary for interviews.
• Act as media spokesperson for Medair’s interests (esp. Arabic speaking media) in the field in close coordination with the RCM.
• Proactively liaise with local, regional, national and international media in the field each month.

4- Social Media:
• Facilitate and produce short content updates and creative interactive features on Facebook and other social media such as Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest, in coordination with the RCM and GSO.
• Support GSOs Channels team in maintaining relations with online social media users and fans.
• Train and encourage field staff on the appropriate use of online social media. Actively monitor Arabic communications initiated by field staff (e.g. social media posts, personal websites, blogs, newsletters, etc.) and if necessary propose corrective actions to ensure strong brand reputation.

5- Internal Communication
• Assist field leadership team in developing tools and structures to pro-actively support the team in improving internal communication within the programme, e.g. internal news, contributing to team meetings, etc.
• Distribute the Annual Report, newsletters and other communication material among staff and external contacts in the field as appropriate.
• Train base team in communication guidelines specific to the Syria context
• Actively manage internal information documents such as the First Stop, which shares information with GSO staff.

6- Brand and co-branding Coordination:
• Assist Medair staff on institutional donor and Medair visibility budgets, conditions, and requirements.
• Create field communication tools at the request of the Area Managers or other support staff.
• Raise awareness about appropriate branding in team trainings and meetings; ensure that Medair staff, facilities and equipment have access to appropriate Medair branded items.

7- Other:
• Report monthly to GSO CFR using the CFR Situation Repo

Interested? Then apply for this position

All applicants should send a cover letter and an updated CV no longer than four pages, both in the same language as the vacancy note. Your CV should also include contact details of three professional referees.

Cover letter should briefly summarizes how do you fit the Communications / Marketing, Fundraising, Public Relations / Media, Social Media/Digital Communications
and the functional expertise you bring to the role.

Professional references will be checked before offering this position to the successful candidate.

The successful candidate must be legally allowed to Work in Syria, need to be holder of fully valid passport for travel to Lebanon/Jordan for training.

This is a position based in Damascus with periodic field visits (subject to staff safety procedures and movement approvals). Project locations currently include Rural Damascus, Hama , Aleppo, Homs,Der Ez-Zor, Governorates Raqaa, Idlep (subject to staff safety procedures and movement approvals).

Working week is usually 5 days per week, Sunday to Thursday 8:30 - 16:30.

This position requires flexibility at times. Travel might be required to Lebanon/Jordan/Switzerland for training or meetings.

Planned start date: As Soon As Possible.

Medair may close the announcement before expiry date if suitable number of candidates are reached.

Application will close once suitable candidate is identified.
Duration of commitment : 30 June 2021, with possibility for extension dependent on project funding

Medair is a humanitarian, non-governmental, non-profit organization with headquarters in Switzerland, founded in 1989 and currently working in 14 countries throughout the world.
We bring relief and recovery to people who are suffering in remote and devastated communities around the world. Medair helps communities to survive crisis, recover with dignity, and develop skills to build a better future in core areas Health and Nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene), Shelter/Infrastructure.

Nov 03, 2020

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