Communications Officer – Erbil / Iraq (National Post)

Position: Communications Officer – Erbil/Iraq

Location: Iraq – Erbil

Application Deadline: 30 November 2022

Duration: Full-time

Start Date: As soon as possible

SPARK is looking for a Communications Officer to support SPARK in Iraq with its communication activities in the country (Kurdistan Region and federal Iraq). The Communications Officer will be responsible for the communications and visibility of all programmes (e.g. working with programmes financed by USAID/Chemonics, EU and Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs). The specific objective of these programmes is to contribute to increased resilience and poverty reduction of refugees and vulnerable members of the communities in Iraq through higher education, entrepreneurship and SME support.

The Communications Officer will produce and edit quality content for a range of SPARK communication channels, including press, the SPARK website, social media presence and newsletter that are designed to boost visibility of the programme activities, in line with donor and SPARK branding requirements. The candidate has excellent writing skills, the ability to write for different audiences and the ability to edit texts quickly and to a high standard. The candidate has excellent interpersonal and journalistic skills. Based at the Iraq office in Erbil, the candidate will be required to travel regularly to locations throughout KR-I and federal Iraq (Mosul, Baghdad etc.)

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

The responsibilities and tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Create and execute a communications strategy for the USAID/Chemonics programme;
• Finalise the communications deliverables under the communications strategy for the EU Iraq programme;
• Support the communications deliverables in Iraq under the J&P programme financed by Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
• Produce and edit up-to-date written content for the SPARK website, newsletter and social media channels;
• Design promotion online and offline materials e.g. social media visuals, posters, banners, flyers, brochures, etc;
• Conduct interviews with programme participants and develop written stories and articles;
• Lead in creating promotional video production alongside filmmakers;
• Contribute to the enhancement of the SPARK website – update content, SEO, AdWords etc.;
• Support the organisation of programme and SPARK events;
• Lead in communication and PR on programme-related activities;
• Assist with internal communication deliverables;
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements and Skills

• Bachelor or Master’s degree, preferably in English, Media, Communications, Journalism or a field relevant to SPARK’s work;
• Proficient in Arabic and English languages (written and spoken);
• Proven graphic design skills in Adobe Creative Suite;
• Journalistic skills: not afraid of picking up the phone and giving someone a call;
• Social media knowledge and experience are essential;
• Familiarity with Google Drive/Docs/Analytics/SEO/Adwords etc.;
• Good communication and social skills and the ability to work in a multicultural setting;
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to prioritise;
• Ability to work independently;
• Eligible to work in Iraq.

SPARK Offers

• International and dynamic working experience;
• Opportunity to take initiative and realise your ideas;
• Full-time employment contract;

How to apply?

If you have any questions regarding SPARK or the position, please visit our website www.spark-online.org or call +31 20 753 0311, with Reference: Communications Officer Iraq.

Please apply through SPARK’s online application platform at https://vacancy.spark-online.org/Tab1/LoadProfileFromVacancy/480 and be prepared to provide two writing samples if selected for the first round of interviews. The deadline for application is 30 November 2022. Reference: Communications Officer Iraq.

All applications will be assessed on a rolling basis; interviews can therefore take place before the application deadline. However, due to the large volume of applications we receive, we cannot respond to every applicant individually. There may be a delay between the deadline and the moment we contact selected applicants.

About SPARK

SPARK develops higher education and entrepreneurship to empower young, ambitious people to lead their fragile and conflict-affected societies into prosperity. SPARK is a dynamic and growing, international not-for-profit development organisation with 80+ staff members, in more than 14 offices around the world. SPARK supports refugees in the Middle-East by providing them with scholarships in universities and higher education institutions in the region. SPARK also supports young entrepreneurs in fragile states, to start or grow their own businesses.