Communications and Media Officer

Background

Centre for Education and Development (CED), Somalia is a non-governmental humanitarian and development organization working in Somalia. CED responds to emergency and development needs in Somalia and assists Somali communities towards self-reliance. CED works with poor local communities through sustainable community development programs to overcome ignorance, hunger, injustice and inequality.

Interventions initiated are focusing on women and youth empowerment and development livelihood & food security, education, Human Rights and Civic Education, emergency aid, water and sanitation, Income Generation Activities peace building and reconciliation and environmental protection. CED also implements programs on early recovery as well as sustainable development initiatives.

CED is seeking a dynamic, innovative and self-motivated professional to fill the position of Communications and Media Officer

Job Title: Communications and Media Officer

Location: Based in Mogadishu with frequent travel to the projects sites in Somalia and
Kenya.

Reports to: Program Manager

Contract length: One year with the possibility of extension.

Job Summary

Under the overall and supervision of CED Program Manager, the Communications and Media Officer will be responsible the collection and dissemination of information and communication strategy of the program, advocacy activities, donor liaising and fund-raising to ensure broader internal and external understanding of the work being done under the projects. He/she will represent CED in the UN, EU and international agencies meetings in Somalia and Kenya. He/she will make presentations and submit CED activities and achievement to all concerned partners and donors. He/she will manage the delivery of high quality media coverage of CED's programs. A communications and media officer compiles program reports and ensure that they are communicated appropriately in line with different projects implementation mandate.

Responsibilities

1. Represent CED in meetings of the UN Clusters, International Agencies, donors and other technical and coordination meetings on behalf of CED.
2. Assist CED in advocacy, lobbying, and campaigns, project funding and fund-raising.
3. Develop organisational communication strategy plan
4. Develop and implement the CED’s different projects communication and visibility plans in line with the overall communication strategy of the organization.
5. Prepare and design high quality concept papers, project proposals for humanitarian and development program interventions and seek and identify sources of funding for new programs.
6. Prepare regular daily updates, weekly field reports, narrative progress reports, monthly reports, monthly updates, quarterly, reports and yearly organizations reports.
7. The communication and media officer will analyze needs in the different projects implementation areas and identify levels of communication
8. Prepare a communication matrix specifying different levels of information needs to be communicated to different stakeholders (Community, Local community institutions, Local administration, CED internal communication and the public through the media)
9. Work with Project Managers in planning and organizing community trainings and events and ensure correct messaging in the publicity materials
10. Coordinate with local authorities for trainings and events both within CED and externally with stakeholders for training sessions and other outreach initiatives related to the project.
11. Serve as a focal person for logistics of trainings and events with support to all projects team and ensure that every training or event has prepared the relevant communication materials.
12. Oversee logistics, administration and liaison with local authorities on any training or event related to the projects.
13. Assist in the production of a stakeholders’ database. Maintain an updated mailing list for CED’s communication materials related to the project and ensure timely dispatch of human rights reports or updates
14. Maintain a log of all communications and materials shared with different stakeholders for reference in future and also to guide in reporting
15. Coordinate with the local media (print and audiovisual) to report on CEDs work and also planning for documentaries
16. Continuously document audio visual materials that will constitute video documentation of all projects work in the entire duration of implementation
17. Provide photography assistance during trainings and events.
18. Lead the training team in event management including installation of publicity material, venue setup, registration desks etc.
19. Work on documentaries and recordings and assist in logistics of documentary equipment during field visits.
20. Write up and documenting case stories, reports, newsletters and other relevant documentations required to support stakeholders and report to donors.
21. Maintain schedules of programs, events and publications and report accordingly
22. With input from the program team, produce high quality and easy to read quarterly and annual progress reports for CED program management and other stakeholders.
23. Prepare project fact sheets and distribute them during the events with a view of sharing CED project activities with other stakeholders.
24. Provide high quality editing and formatting for all projects related activities.
25. With approval from the ED upload the success of the projects on the organization website while updating the same as the projects progresses towards completion.
26. Intensify and maintain a steady flow of information on the project to the Senior Management team (PM, ED, Management Team) , donors and development partners.
27. Manage the production of range of information such as publications, leaflets, brochures, DVDs, videos reports etc in order to help CED to carry out effective programs interventions.
28. Redevelop/redesign and continuously update CED website to ensure maximum effectiveness.
29. Produce and disseminate articles, briefings, newsletters, brochures, fact sheets, short videos, press releases, short human interest stories, photographs, and other publication materials about CED activities to a wide variety of media including local and external media, donors, CED website, face book posts and other social media and variety of websites.
30. Use photography and videography to capture project activities and create high quality project communication materials in digital and hardcopy form.
31. Collect case studies, short human-interest stories, success stories, interviews, photographs, videos from the programs as appropriate.
32. Liaise with the local and international media on issues of CED humanitarian and development interventions.
33. Prepare program visits and support partners, media and the other visitors to visit and monitor CED programs.
34. Work with partners/organizations/community representatives, local authorities and help CED to strengthen collaboration and information sharing between CED and other organizations.
35. Work closely with CED field office and contribute to the development of field information management.
36. Share information and learning from experience in Somalia with relevant partner organizations.
37. Facilitates the communication and coordination with in CED sections and follow of information.
38. Responsible for all matters related to public relations.
39. Translates the main events daily news papers in to English & Arabic (daily headlines)
40. Responsible for the preparation of the minutes of CED Program, weekly, monthly, quarterly and Extra-ordinary meetings.
41. Develop and maintain up-to-date context analysis and risk assessment analysis of the context and developments in relation to the security situation.
42. Maintain close contacts with all relevant stakeholders to develop a network and build relationships with key actors to ensure gathering of reliable security information.
43. Ensure that all staff and visitors receive appropriate briefing.
44. Ensure that an appropriate system is in place to provide security information to travellers in advance of their departure.
45. Provide timely and sound advice to ED, Program Manager and Project Managers and staff on communication, public relations and fundraising matters.
46. At all times, the communications and media officer will ensure that information communicated does not have negative impact on the projects implementation or risk the security of the project staff. In all cases, information communicated externally must first be authenticated and signed off by the Executive Director, CED.
47. Any other duty assigned by CED Executive Director, Program Manager & Project Managers from time to time.

Qualifications

1. A University degree in communication, political sciences, journalism, human rights, or other relevant field in communication.
2. Minimum of 5 years proven work experience in media, communications or related field.
3. Previous experience in working with NGOs and Donors particularly in the area of fundraising, advocacy, communication and information management.
4. Proven experience in the use of social media outlets.
5. Experience in photography and video recording.
6. Knowledge of human rights and law would be an asset.
7. Experience of producing high quality written and audio-visual materials including experience in using relevant editing software.
8. Strong experience in communication, fund-raising and partnerships strategies.
9. Excellent communication skills(writing and speaking) in English.
10. Excellent networking and negotiation skills
11. Good understanding of gender mainstreaming.
12. Risk management skills
13. Good information management and analyses of information.

Expected qualities/ other duties
• Innovative, team player and exceptional communication skills
• Confidentially
• Consultative and good listener
• Excellent negotiation and problem solving skills
• Results oriented and strong analytical skills
• Good planning and analytical capacities
• Good Research skills
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently in difficult circumstances to CED project sites in Somalia.
• Ability to work effectively under extreme conditions and under pressure.
• Flexibility and patience required

Languages

Fluency in English. Knowledge of Somali is an advantage.

HOW TO APPLY:

If you are interested and meet the criteria herein please submit your motivation letter and detailed CV. Each applicant package will include the following:

1. Motivation letter explaining why consider yourself qualified for this position with the applicants current contact information
2. CV including work experience and education
3. Copies of Certificates
4. Your contact number, present salary and contact details for three professional referees with their complete contact information (including current or most recent supervisor)

All applications should be sent to (email: recruitment.ced@gmail.com) Att: Human Resource Department with the subject of the e-mail marked “Communications and Media Officer ” By January 31, 2016. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will have their applications acknowledged.

CED is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.