Content Specialist- Signpost

ABOUT INTERNEWS AND SIGNPOST

Internews is an international non-profit organization whose mission is to ensure people have access to the news and information they need, the ability to connect and the means to make their voices heard.

Internews has played a pioneering role in the field of disaster, humanitarian and risk communications, working closely with community, humanitarian agencies, information providers such as local media, national disaster management agencies, community organizations and local responders to understand and support their role in the information ecosystem during crises. We strengthen existing and create new two-way information mechanisms that allow communities to access life-saving information, share questions, concerns and priorities with responders and shape the programs designed to support them.

Internews’s approaches are heavily localized, participatory and are implemented through a variety of tools and systems. Through these approaches, Internews sets up processes that translate community-driven data into clear pathways for improved local and international coordination and bring the community closer to responders and local media.

Signpost is an innovative digital initiative providing the humanitarian community with a platform to reach refugees, asylum seekers and crisis-affected communities around the world with accessible information. It began in 2015 in Greece and is a collaboration between the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Mercy Corps (MC). It has since expanded to include instances in Jordan and El Salvador.

Each Signpost platform provides users context-specific, up-to-date information on vital needs such as legal rights, transportation, and medical services in multiple languages – empowering individuals to make informed decisions at the most critical moments.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Internews is responding to the information needs of people impacted by the current war in Sudan. Our focus is ensuring people can access accurate, timely and contextual information to inform their decision making and to identify and respond to rumors and misinformation that may put communities at greater risk. Internews is partnering with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) to create a digital platform which will allow communities to receive responsive answers to their questions and referrals to services to support them. This project will form part of the Signpost global network.

The Content Specialist creates and oversees editorial procedures and standards across Signpost Sudan’s digital platforms (website, Facebook pages etc.). They are responsible for creating and leading the implementation of a user-focused content and editorial strategy that is informed by protection principles and current digital content and social media best practice. They are tasked with ensuring content is actionable, accurate, complete, easy to understand, and engaging.

The successful Content Specialist will be extremely proactive, detail-oriented and organized. They value accurate and error-free reporting above all. They are self-directed and reliably completes tasks. They are diplomatic and able to work with a range of peers. They are computer-savvy and quick to learn new tools. They have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability and regularly seeks opportunities for collaboration. They thrive in evolving and changing environments. They have an active presence across many social media platforms (Facebook, X, etc.).

LOGISTICS

This is a remote position for candidates based outside of Sudan. You must have work authorization in your location that does not require sponsorship from Internews. Additionally, there are locations in which Internews is not able to support fully remote work.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so candidates are encouraged to apply soon.

This is a limited-duration position that is expected to last 5 months.

OUR COMMITMENT TO FOSTERING A CULTURE OF BELONGING

We are an organization of dynamic, mission-driven individuals who are passionate about our core values and about supporting positive change in the world. We pride ourselves on our commitment to innovation and flexibility. We believe that diverse teams are strong teams and work to support an ethic of belonging, dignity, and justice for all people. Our current team includes a mix of genders, parents and non-parents, and people of multiple races, nationalities, ages, sexual orientations and socioeconomic backgrounds. We are an EEO employer and encourage candidates of all races, genders, ages, orientations, ethnicities, and national origins to apply, and welcome those with alternative backgrounds and experiences.

DAY-TO-DAY TASKS will include:

• Establish and maintain clear editorial guidelines and standards and ensure staff are trained in and able to use them.
• Ensure Signpost global editorial and social media guidelines are implemented and staff are trained on it.
• Maintain knowledge of, and ensure staff is trained on, editorial tools, social media tools (Website, Facebook, Facebook Ad Manager, Page Manager and Instagram).
• Develop content and train teams following search engine optimizations (SEO) tools, techniques, and increase discoverability of the published content.
• Ensure the content shared on the website and social media is actionable, comprehensive, accurate, easy to understand and engaging.
• Collect feedback on content and continually monitor content to ensure it is clear, understandable and making an impact.
• Develop and maintain an editorial workflow and coordinate with different teams to make sure content is produced timely.
• Edit, proofread, contextualize content created by editorial and other staff.
• Monitor the publish content through different analytical tools like Meta business suite, Google Analytics and organizational internal data dashboards.
• Update the published content and make sure updating is done on time.
• Teach teams how to build, engage, and retain an audience on social media and website.
• Support development of strategies to address mis- and disinformation on digital platforms.
• Build capacity of staff from a variety of different backgrounds on digital content development.
• Work with editorial teams to ensure content is aligned with the content strategy and appropriate for publication.
• Use online tools and other modes of communication to consistently share information with other members of the editorial team.
• Participate in all team meetings, workshops, strategy sessions, regular communications, etc., as established by the team leadership.
• Understanding of and demonstrating commitment to uphold Internews’ Core Values.

QUALIFICATIONS WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

Required

• Minimum 5 years editing experience required; sub-editing/copy editing experience strongly desired.
• Expert-level knowledge of English and Arabic grammar and usage.
• Experience using a CMS.
• Knowledge of online content best practices, Search Engine Optimization and social media strategy and content best practices.

Preferred

Note: Candidates who do not have these preferred qualifications, but who are interested and willing to learn, are encouraged to apply.

• BA/BS in English, Journalism, Communications or a field in the humanities is desired but not required.
• Experience in a newsroom, communications team or managing the online presence of a business or organisation desired.
• Experience in a humanitarian organization a plus.
• Knowledge of refugee issues in Sudan/East and Horn of Africa is desired.
• Experience working with refugees, migrants or displaced people in a voluntary or professional capacity.
• An accredited bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field.
• Experience managing a Facebook page or group and other social media platforms where the admin constantly assessed the digital environment and engaged with audiences.
• Basic understanding of your host country’s language (if different from your own).