Communication Specialist

Danish Refugee Council (DRC), one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently seeking a highly qualified and motivated candidate to fill the position of Communication Specialist. If you are a results-driven professional passionate about humanitarian response and partnership development, this is an opportunity to contribute to meaningful and life-saving work in challenging contexts.

About the Job

Reporting directly to the Country Director the Communications Specialist will support the implementation of DRCs communication, visibility in South Sudan, with support and guidance from Partnerships, Advocacy, Engagement & Resource Mobilization (PAER) department. The specialist will promote DRC's mission, mandate and effective work in South Sudan both internally and externally. The Communications specialist will work to raise DRC's profile and reputation amongst peer agencies, donors, LNGOs and other stakeholders by drawing on project activities, findings from assessments and evaluations, and participating of advocacy strategies in country. As a result of the efforts of the Communications specialist DRC will have an enhanced reputation and will be better positioned for partnership and funding opportunities. Additionally, DRC staff will be better informed about the Country Office's initiatives, communication goals and standards

Key Responsibilities

• Work with Area and Project Managers to develop and execute communication and visibility plans, ensuring compliance with donor communications requirements.
• Participate in drafting relevant communication sections of funding proposals and implementation of the communication component of the project
• Source content in the form of video, photos, stories related to communities' needs, in collaboration with project teams and partners.
• Support the Business Development unit in the design of outward-facing products, including concept notes and proposals, ensuring they all adhere to branding guidelines.
• Monitor and analyze local and international media related to the local situation
• Ensure materials produced contribute to the positioning of DRC as a key partner in responding to displacement
• Contribute to the recruitment and use of freelance and consultant capacity to produce the resources above, where needed.
• Adapt content to be shared across multiple different styles of external communication e.g. long-form blog posts and short-form social media channels
• contribute to the development of communications standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Ensure that approaches to informed consent and ‘do no harm’ approaches to communications are followed.

External Communication

• Develop and produce DRC information and communication materials such as brochures, newsletters, success stories, lessons learned, blogs, photos, videos, and regularly update DRC website, social media and other publications.
• Take an active role in organizing public events for field teams and the country office.
• Support the Country Director in preparing responses to media requests
• With support from Advocacy & Communication Advisor and in coordination with Country Director, draft press releases
• Supporting Country Director, Head of Programmes, Area Managers and other key focal points to conduct their external representation tasks through feeding of relevant information and advising on coherent and solid key messaging
• Ensure that visibility requirements linked to country products are met
• Represent DRC in communication, and support Country Director in drafting communication points for donor engagement. Build relationships with other like-minded organizations (eg NGOs, UN agencies) to coordinate and collaborate on joint communication.
• Work with UN and INGO/LNGO colleagues on interagency initiatives and provide input on NGO joint briefing papers and situational reports.
• Strengthen the understanding of the stories DRC's local partners want to tell and build communications capacities within each organization

Internal Communication

• Ensure DRC branding standards are uniformly implemented, working with global Advocacy & Communication Advisor and partner organizations as appropriate
• Produce of a periodically staff newsletter
• Support and train communication focal points to collect photos, stories and captions to promote DRC's work.
• Maintain regular engagement with HQ communications counterparts, and share information with country team on available resources and latest DRC guidelines for communication
• Support Technical Coordinators and project staff in developing position papers on sectoral issues that can contribute to policy dialogue, especially protection in South Sudan
• Maintain and update Communications SharePoint folder

Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in communication, Journalism, Public Relations and Advocacy.
• Master’s degree in communication, public relations, journalism (print, broadcast, media) or social sciences (human rights, gender/women's studies, international development) or a related field would be an added advantage.

Experience

• A minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience in communication, journalism, project or programme management, campaign management and advocacy within INGO or NGO sector
• Relevant experience of delivering a range of communications products, including physical and online content. Desirable experience working in the aid sector.
• Demonstrated Experience in generating content and storytelling with an understanding of the protection risks and ‘do no harm’ approaches and ability to capture programmes impact through photography and video and share via relevant platforms.
• Experience in data visualisation and in map design
• Have experience and hands on knowledge on planning and designing of communication activities and communication media (print or electronic or social media).
• Excellent oral, written and copyediting skills and demonstrated ability to write and develop strong communication and advocacy materials
• Experience in photography and handing a professional camera and accessories.

Technical Skills

• A passion for communications and humanitarian outcomes.
• Good attention to detail.
• High level analytical thinking skills.
• Cultural awareness and ability to build relationships quickly with a wide variety of people.
• Patient, adaptable, flexible, able to improvise and remain responsive and communicate clearly and effectively under pressure.
• Excellent planning, management, and coordination skills, with the ability to organise a substantial workload comprised of complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities.
• Strong communication (written and spoken), and interpersonal skills, with experience in coordinating multicultural teams.
• Commitment to Danish Refugee Council values.

Core Competencies

• Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills.
• High attention to detail and commitment to quality assurance.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and proactively in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated integrity, professionalism, and commitment to humanitarian principles and DRC values.

Languages

• Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required.
• Knowledge of Arabic or other local languages is an added advantage.

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