The Regional Emergency Communications Coordinator will work closely with the Country Offices communications, program and emergency staff and Care International Senior Humanitarian Communications Coordinator to maximise positive media coverage and fund-raising opportunities and support accountability by communicating the food crisis in East Africa and CARE’s emergency operations. The Regional Emergency Communications Coordinator will coordinate and identify communications/media needs and opportunities in Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda and develop materials and plans to meet those needs, including potential travel to some of the countries; work with Care International members on media and communications requests related to East Africa crises; and support CARE’s commitment to accountability and advocacy efforts.
1. External Liaison and Communications:-
Develop an initial media and communications strategy for national and international media; this should be developed in conjunction with the advocacy strategy. Develop and update regional and country specific communications/media messaging and talking points
Develop and maintain excellent relationships with visiting international journalists, other CI Communications Officers, and with representatives of other NGOs and key consortia, etc.
In cooperation with the ECSA regional unit Communications Coordinator act as the point of contact for media for regional inquiries and respond to requests for information from journalists, members of CI, and donors, including arranging interviews and field visits.
Act as spokesperson for the organization when appropriate and with approval of the COs.
Prepare, distribute and log press releases in line with breaking news, long-term program priorities and advocacy objectives.
Conduct field visits as needed to accompany media visits, interview staff and beneficiaries, write human interest stories and take photos and video.
2. External Liaison and Communications:-
Work with CI Communications Officers to be aware of which journalists are travelling to the region and report contacts of international journalists to respective national CARE offices.
Coordinate with the CO Communications Officers to disseminate a steady flow of information (updates, human interest stories, talking points and Q&As, blogs etc.) to the CI Communications Officers for internal and external dissemination as per the CI Emergency Media Management Checklist.
Regularly provide high-resolution, good quality digital still images and video of the emergency and CARE’s work; arrange for the deployment of a professional photographer and/or videographer to affected areas as necessary and where budget permits.
In coordination with the COs, the CI Senior Humanitarian Communications Coordinator and lead members for the affected countries, identify the needs for communications support at field level as necessary, and identify internal or external resources to meet that need.
Monitor print and electronic media for mentions of CARE and other topics of interest to the organization, and inform the COs & lead members and COMWG of anything important.
Identify and create talking points/Q&As for potential sensitive issues and new developments, arrange sign-off, and share with the COs & lead members and COMWG.
Coordinate closely with advocacy colleagues to support the production of advocacy materials as necessary.
Additional communications and information management duties as required. 3. Training
Give media training for designated spokespeople.
Provide immediate media coaching for those about to do a media interview.
Provide communications and media coaching to the national communications officers where appropriate.
4. Media Monitoring and Evaluation
Compile a log of media calls.
Prepare and update the list of regionally-based international correspondents. Work with CI Communications Officers to monitor media and compile a list of national/international media coverage.
Work with CI Communications Officers and the CI Senior Humanitarian Communications
Coordinator to capture ‘lessons learned’ and make recommendations for future operations
5. Communication structure/internal communications for the East Africa Crisis
Provide recommendation on the workflow between the COs, RMU and CI members to ensure timely communication on the crisis.
QUALIFICATIONS
Relevant university degree or higher education, preferably in journalism, communications/PR, international development and/or relations or political science.
A minimum five years of experience of media in the humanitarian sector.
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Media experience: Experience working in journalism, communications, media, or PR; CARE-specific media work preferred. Strong understanding of print, radio, television and online media.
Humanitarian experience: Prior experience travelling to, or working in, a developing country for CARE or another humanitarian agency in an emergency or politically sensitive environment. A minimum of five years’ experience working with an NGO or UN agency, or equivalent, is preferred. Strong understanding of the humanitarian context and procedures including Sphere and the Red Cross/ NGO Code of Conduct.
Communication skills: Fluent written and spoken English. Preference will be given to candidates who speak more than one CI Member working language. Able to communicate clearly and sensitively with internal and external stakeholders as a representative of CARE.
Photography/video and computer skills: Basic photography and/or filming skills. Additional technical skills are desirable, including proficiency in Adobe Photoshop or photo-editing software and movie-editing software such as Adobe Premier.
People skills: Ability to work independently and as a team player who demonstrates leadership. Work effectively and cooperatively with others towards shared goals.
Performance excellence: Ability to set high standards of performance for self and others, assume responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments and tasks;.
Integrity: Works with trustworthiness and integrity and has a clear commitment to CARE’s core values , humanitarian principles and code of conduct;
Resilience/adaptability and flexibility: Ability to operate effectively under extreme circumstances including stress, high security risks and harsh living conditions. Works and lives with a flexible, adaptable and resilient manner;
Awareness and sensitivity of self and others: Demonstrates awareness and sensitivity to gender and diversity. Have experience and the ability to live and work in diverse cultural contexts in a culturally appropriate manner. Has a capacity to make accurate self-assessment and assessment of the situation/ environment particularly in high stress and high security contexts.
Work style: Is well planned and organized even within a fluid working environment and has a capacity for initiative and decision making with competent analytical and problem solving skills. Experience coordinating with staff in different locations/situations and managing concurrent priorities.
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested candidates who meet the criteria above are encouraged of to send their application letters and detailed CV to SOMRecruitment@care.org by 21st July 2017. Please indicate the title of the position applied for as the subject line while applying