Communications & Advocacy Officer (For Filipino Nationals Only)

Job Location:

The Communications & Advocacy Officer position will be assigned at Islamic Relief Philippines Country Office, Cotabato City, Philippines.

Supervision Received:

The Communications & Advocacy Officer reports to the Area Programme Manager in close coordination with the Communications & Advocacy Officer.

Job Summary:

The holder of this position will be responsible for developing and implementing overall communication and advocacy plans for Islamic Relief’s projects on education, livelihood and climate change in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur and BARMM island provinces, producing project visibility and campaign materials, and ensuring consistent usage of donor and IR brand and integration of advocacies in all projects.

Key Roles/Responsibilities:

Within delegated authorities, the Communications & Advocacy Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

Communications:

• Design and implement communication plans with appropriate strategies in order to generate greater awareness, understanding and support for IRPH programs and campaigns;
• Lead the collection and promotion of content for media materials from case studies, photos, and videos of beneficiaries and stakeholders while ensuring compliance to organisational policies including safeguarding and data privacy;
• Facilitate the development of knowledge products including print, audio and visual materials;
• Prepare content for and maintain online presence of IRPH in multiple social media platforms;
• Prepare and edit written materials from press releases, feature articles to briefing notes, Questions and Answers (Q&A) and other materials for use in the media and distribution to the public, educational institutions, non-governmental agencies and donors;
• Handle media inquiries, establish and maintain contacts with media representatives and others focusing their attention on IRPH activities and achievements that are of interest to targeted groups;
• Respond to emergencies when requested by quickly travelling to the site and preparing information for public release on IRPH’s operations and activities, preparing all needed materials for internal and external use, particularly multimedia materials;
• Ensure that project activities promote an accurate image of the organization and its intended objectives amongst its targeted audiences;
• Provide support in the finalization of reports for donors, ensuring appropriate edits and packaging to coordinating timely and high-quality technical inputs, and institutional reporting requirements of IRPH and the donor, in close coordination with the Area Programme Manager;
• Stay current on IRPH operations, trends and issues which impacts the activities of the organization;
• Evaluate the relative effectiveness of strategies and make recommendations for future actions to the CMT and other senior officials accordingly;

Advocacy:

• Develop and implement advocacy plans specific to project needs while mainstreaming IRW’s global campaigns on gender justice, climate action, refugees/IDPs, and child protection;
• Strategize and ensure integration of these global advocacies to various IRPH’s projects;
• Facilitate production of media materials to support the implementation of campaigns both online and face-to-face advocacy activities;
• Prepare position and policy papers, backgrounders and press materials based on research to support various advocacy campaigns;
• Establish and maintain relationships with key networks that support advocacy campaigns including government, non-government organizations and community-based organizations.

Expected Results:

Contribution to IRPH visibility and external communication efforts and global advocacies through good research, analysis of project needs and assigned area of work and timely preparation and distribution of information to target audience(s). Consistently applies appropriate policies, guidelines and procedures. Effectively, and in timely manner, liaises and interacts with colleagues and concerned parties internally and externally. Work implies close coordination with other team members in the Communications Unit and frequent interaction with Communications Officers at the HQ level and other specialists throughout the organization, partners/donors, new BARMM government, INGOs, media entities, etc. In addition to the above, independently prepares information about IRPH activities that favorably impact the views of the public, opinion leaders and donors. Plans, manages and evaluates public communication campaigns. Prepares communications products that effectively convey the desired information/message to targeted audience (s). Builds and facilitates strategic contacts and partnership to ensure effective public communications.

Required Qualifications:

1. University degree in Development Communication, Mass Communication or any related field
2. At least 3 years of relevant working experience in a variety of humanitarian and development projects; experience in Communication for Development (C4D) is an advantage;
3. Experienced in developing and implementing advocacy campaigns;
4. Skilled in using various social media platforms for marketing;
5. Functional knowledge of photography and videography;
6. Excellent written and communication skills;
7. Fluency in English and Filipino; Fluency in Maguindanaon, Iranon, Maranao and any other dialects in Mindanao is an advantage;

Competencies Required:

Teamwork: Work productively with broad range of team members, actively participates in and supports team decisions, openly shares knowledge, expertise or experience with team members. Takes constructive actions to resolve conflict. Gives constructive feedback to team members.

Client Orientation: Actively seeks information and opinions of client to understand their requests and to identify their needs and expectations. Meets deadlines for delivery of products or services to clients. Keep clients informed of progress or setbacks. Explains the rationale for decisions/outcomes to the client. Solicit ongoing feedback from clients.

Action Management: Effectively manages own work related to multiple tasks or activities. Recognizes opportunities or threats and acts on them with the agreement of supervisor. Responds quickly to emergencies with a solution or a decision. Evaluates own strengths and developmental needs and modifies behavior based on feedback or self analysis.

Communication: Presents information clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing. Listens to and shows understanding of ideas and views of others. Adapts level of language and/or complexity of content to audience. Shares information and knowledge with colleagues, staff and supervisors. Communicates respectfully with all individuals regardless of gender, nationality and cultural background.

Interpersonal Relations: Respects differing needs and viewpoints. Resolves personal and professional disagreements constructively. Builds effective working relationships within unit/division/office. Demonstrates sensitivity, tact and empathy for others.

Organizational Awareness: Develops a sound understanding of own area of activity as well as IRPH structure, mandate, vision and key priorities. Prioritizes own work activities in accordance to the Unit’s mandate. Develop a sound understanding of policies and procedures that are related to own work. Recognizes operational problems and issues as opportunities for improvement. Knows key clients and beneficiaries of IRPH services.