Job Vacancy: Communications Officer

Advertisement

Job Vacancy: Job title: Communications Officer

Job description: Communications Officer

Supervised by

Programme Development and Quality Manager

Reporting to

Programme Development and Quality Manager

Advertisement

Duty Station

Abuja with frequent field travel

Area of Operation

Nigeria

Employment Period

1 year, with potential for renewal

Type of Contract (Expat/National/Trainee)

National

Salary & Benefits

Non Management H – Level 1

Introduction

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profit-making, politically independent, non-governmental and non-denominational relief organization.

Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

Background

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has had an operational presence in Nigeria since 2015, and has experience working in 33 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across the BAY states. DRC provides life-saving assistance and protection to vulnerable, conflict-affected populations including IDPs, returnees, and host communities in the sectors of armed violence reduction, livelihoods, nutrition and food security, protection, shelter and non-food items (NFI) and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). The operational context in northeastern Nigeria remains challenging, as the ongoing conflict impedes conflict-affected communities’ access to what limited basic services are available, as well as DRC and other humanitarians’ access to persons of concern.

Purpose

The Communications Officer will work to increase local, national and international understanding of DRC’s work and role in Nigeria through high-quality communications products developed in line with DRC guidelines, donor commitments, protection principles and ethical standards.

1. Duties and Responsibilities

• Under the direction of the PDQM, develop, implement, and monitor a communication and visibility plan to facilitate better understanding among partners, donors, beneficiaries and host communities, media, the general public, and government stakeholders of DRC Nigeria’s work and role;
• Under the direction of the PDQM, develop DRC Nigeria’s Communications Strategy and update on an annual basis;
• Write, edit and produce communication products promoting the contribution of DRC Nigeria to the humanitarian response;
• Undertake field visits to produce creative and engaging communications products to raise awareness of the crisis in northeast Nigeria and the humanitarian response efforts of DRC;
• Maintain and update DRC Nigeria country profile documents, fact sheets, and presentations for external audiences;
• Engage with NIF Communications Working Group and other relevant working groups and networks to ensure DRC representation and participation;
• Ensure timely publication and distribution of media content on the DRC Nigeria country webpage, DRC Nigeria Twitter account and HQ managed accounts;
• Ensure all DRC and donor visibility requirements and communications commitments are met;
• Provide training on communications and visibility to DRC Nigeria staff to improve contributions to communications initiatives and staff understanding of DRC and donor guidelines;
• Ensure there is appropriate age and gender awareness and considerations in all DRC Nigeria communications;
• Ensure all public multimedia materials have the necessary consent forms on file;
• Advise DRC Nigeria staff on media, public information, awareness raising and visibility issues in line with DRC and donor guidelines, protection principles and ethical standards;
• Contribute communications inputs to proposal development based on donor guidelines;
• In coordination with Supply Chain, maintain and update framework agreements related to visibility products;
• Provide support to PDQM and SMT on media request and interview opportunities;
• In coordination with the PDQM, liaise with DRC West Africa regional office and headquarters communications focal points as required; and,
• Perform other duties as assigned including support to other components of the Quality Assurance Unit.

2. Qualifications

Qualifications and Work Experience:

• At least three years of professional experience working in journalism or at least three years of professional experience in social media
• University degree in a relevant field such as English, social sciences, public relations, journalism, communications or similar;
• Certification or equivalent professional experience in graphic design, web, social media and video production, or similar.
• English – fluent with capacity to produce high-quality written products for formal reporting and public communication purposes
• Hausa and other languages used in northeast Nigeria an asset, but not essential to the position

Knowledge and Skills:

• Excellent writing, editing and communications skills in English required.
• Advanced skill in graphic design, web, social media and video production evidenced by a portfolio of communications products produced by the candidate.
• Demonstrated experience in training and coaching.
• Demonstrated capacity to work collaboratively in a multi-cultural environment with competing priorities, tight deadlines, and in a complex emergency context.
• Ability to live and work in an insecure and high stress environment.
• Willingness to travel to other DRC bases in Nigeria.

Note: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

3. General Regulations

• The employee shall follow DRC instructions on safety, confidentiality and ethical guidelines, including the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Accountability Framework
• Employee should not engage in any other paid activity during the DRC contract period without prior authorization
• Employee should not engage in any activity that could harm DRC or the implementation of any project during the DRC contract period
• Employee should not give interviews to the media or publish project-related photos or other material without prior authorization
• Employee shall return all borrowed equipment for the project to DRC after the end of the contract period or upon request.

4. Application Process

Are you interested? Then apply for this position online: www.drc.dk/about-drc/vacancies/current-vacancies. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English.

DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process.

However, all applicants shall take into consideration that DRC cannot offer an international work contract to a citizen of the country of assignment (in this specific case, Nigeria)

Applications close on the 8th of October 2023 at midnight (GMT-time). Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

Due to the urgency of the position, DRC has the right to recruit a candidate who matches the required profile before the above deadline.

Location: Abuja, FCT

Job date: Wed, 27 Sep 2023 03:24:59 GMT

Apply for the job now!