Regional Media & Communications Advisor at Norwegian Refugee Council

JOB PURPOSE

• Implement the regional communication strategy, and liaise with the media to support NRC’s advocacy and promote the organization’s work.
• Promote, advocate and raise awareness around NRC’s activities, results and initiatives through a variety of communication vehicles.
• Support the media work at NRC’s country offices in the region and NRC’s global communications work.

TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Implement the regional communications strategy. Monitor the impact of the strategy and adjust accordingly.
• Develop and implement regional and country-based advocacy campaigns.
• Travel to country offices to support with advocacy and communications activities.
• Develop and maintain a strong media network for the regional office, including building relations with journalists in all countries in the portfolio. Follow up with media requests in a timely manner and keep the regional media contact list up-to-date.
• Proactively pitch interviews with international and local media outlets on NRC’s work in the region. Act as the regional spokesperson for NRC, as well as managing interviews for other senior management.
• Initiate, produce and support the production of strong communications and media products, including photos and video.
• Produce regular talking points on relevant issues, and support NRC’s contingency communications plans.
• Mentor, train and support NRC staff in the region on media and communications.
• Manage NRC’s regional social media platforms, and utilize innovative and emerging tools to produce audio-visual material on those platforms. Be prepared to establish the region on new platforms, if necessary.
• Establish good working relations with communication counterparts in other UN and NGO organizations in the region, with a view to doing joint communication work to amplify humanitarian issues. Actively participate in regional communication and media groups.
• Liaise with the communications section at headquarters and participate in the internal NRC global communications network.
• Ensure that communication and media documents are archived in an easily retrievable electronic based filing system, including filing photos in line with existing guidelines. Prepare periodic reports and summaries for the management on regional media activities.
• Supervision of the Media and Communication Officer
• Any other communication and media work as arises.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in related field, such as journalism or communication or Bachelor degree in other relevant fields such as international relations, development, human rights, combined with substantial media experience
• Five years’ work experience as a media/communications adviser or journalist – preferably related to development/humanitarian crises/foreign affairs.
• Experience doing live TV and radio interviews. Spokesperson experience is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability in finding new creative media angles.
• Experience in producing photos and videos, and in editing is an advantage.
• Experience in managing a variety of social media platforms.
• Experience in training, coaching, management is an advantage.
• Field experience from complex emergencies is desirable.
• Fluency in English, written and verbal.
• French and/or Arabic an asset.

Personal qualities

• Good communicator and strong networking skills.
• Ability to handle a large workload, to cope with stress and work under pressure, independently and with limited supervision.
• Well-structured and with an ability to deliver on short deadlines.
• Patient, flexible and creative, and it helps to have a sense of humour.
• Diplomatic and ability to communicate openly and with respect.
• To work effectively with others across a broad range of topics and contexts.

We offer

• Duty station: Nairobi, Kenya, with regular travel to field offices across East Africa and Yemen.
• Contract period is for 12 months with possibility of extension.
• Salary/benefits: According to NRC’s general directions. The candidate will observe NRC’s code of conduct.
• NRC may be required to verify the identity of its partners/employees and to check that its partners/employees have not been involved in illegal activities. NRC reserves the right to use electronic screening tools for this purpose