Communications Specialist, Middle East and North Africa

This position is to be based in Cairo (Egypt), Amman (Jordan) or Beirut (Lebanon) and is open to citizens, residents and those with the ability to work in these countries.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Communications Specialist will help Habitat communicate about our work in the Middle East and North Africa, in keeping with the organization’s communications standards and brand and in coordination with key internal stakeholders to support regional advocacy, fundraising and programing. This role will work with the respective country office communications representatives across the Middle East and North Africa region to develop and support communications plans and materials.

The MENA Communications Specialist will work closely with regional program leadership as well as with colleagues in the Europe and Middle East, or EME, area office and the larger global communications department. Part of the EME communications team, the MENA Communications Specialist will support social media engagement across our regional channels and help manage the regional edition of the website.

Essential duties & Responsibilities:

• Work closely with MENA leadership to ensure Habitat’s communications help advance the organization’s regional and global strategies.
• Coordinate content gathering and storytelling in MENA countries, considering the needs of key internal stakeholders in fundraising, advocacy and programs.
• Reinforce Habitat’s brand and communications standards among content-gatherers, setting clear guiderails around the development of stories, images, videos and other assets.
• Review and edit key content and tools such as stories, photos, videos, press releases and communication strategies.
• Help coordinate media interviews and other external communications opportunities related to Habitat’s work in the region, including preparation of key spokespeople.
• Support communication activities around Habitat-sponsored events and forums in which Habitat participates.
• Support EME website management and social media engagement.

Success Criteria:

• Habitat communications related to the MENA region are useful for fundraisers, advocacy and program staff within the organization.
• Number of quality communications assets produced and effectively used by the Habitat network.
• Communications consistently reflect Habitat’s brand and ethical standards.
• Number of successful external engagements via news media, events and other opportunities.
• Engagement figures on regional edition of the website and regional social media channels.

Typical Training & Experience:

Minimum:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in communications or related field.
• Years of related experience: 5 years in communications or related area.
• Proven ability to write, edit, evaluate and curate strong content and design while meeting brand and messaging needs.
• Social media expert.
• Strong communications and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural competencies as well as organizational and project management skills that demonstrate an ability to successfully collaborate with a variety of departments and stakeholders.
• Fluent in English and Arabic..

Preferred – in addition to minimum:

• Previous nonprofit experience.

• Experience with international development.

• Deep knowledge of the Middle East and North Africa.

• Knowledge of content management systems (Drupal, WordPress, etc.) is a plus.

• Experience with HTML is a plus.

• Active support of HFHI Values:

  • Humility – We are part of something bigger than ourselves
  • Courage – We do what’s right, even when it is difficult or unpopular
  • Accountability – We take personal responsibility for Habitat’s mission

• Safeguarding: HFHI requires that all employees take seriously their ethical responsibilities to safeguarding our intended beneficiaries, their communities, and all those with whom we work. Managers at all levels have responsibilities to support and develop systems that create and maintain an environment that prevents harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, safeguards the rights of beneficiaries and community members (especially children), and promotes the implementation of Habitat for Humanity’s code of conduct.