Regional Communications Manager

Location

Field based position in Goma, DR Congo with travel to Afghanistan and Madagascar.

Starting Date & Initial Contract Details

September 2022. Full time, 12 months.

Role Overview

Collect and produce materials used to communicate Medair’s mission, life-saving work and unique selling points, and highlight humanitarian needs in the countries of responsibility. Communications materials are vital for connecting our work with people who are needed to ‘give, go, and pray’ in support of people in humanitarian emergencies. The Communications Manager is a member of the global communications team and is involved in supporting the communications needs of the programmes in DR Congo (60%), Afghanistan (20%) and Madagascar (20%), as well as the Engagement team and Affiliate offices.

Project Overview

In DR Congo, Medair has emergency health projects, targeting displaced, war affected and vulnerable populations in regions that are in crisis. In Afghanistan, Medair is implementing multi-sectoral projects in health and nutrition, WASH and food security in vulnerable communities in the Central Highlands and Southern Afghanistan, In Madagascar, Medair contributes to the development of resilience of the most vulnerable and exposed population to natural hazards via Disaster Risk Reduction activities.

Key Activity Areas

Communications Strategy and Resources

• Identify where the country programme activities, staff and context enhances Medair’s reputation as a global humanitarian aid organisation focused on Emergency Response and develop communications materials.
• Participate in the global content and communications strategy planning including editorial meetings and annual workshop, and identify opportunities to leverage multi-media and online content.
• Gather high-quality resources through field visits or by working with field staff and freelance photographers.
• Prepare communications guidelines, First Stop documents, gift handles, and any programme overviews required to support Engagement and Affiliate colleagues in preparation of external materials.
• Produce donor-facing materials, social media content, corporate materials and facilitate timely reviews with programme leadership.
• Identify and support field staff to participate in gathering photos, quotes, and other materials; submit approved materials to global libraries.
• Prepare, facilitate and accompany field visits of high-profile visitors, photographers, journalists, or media crews. If and when applicable, draft terms of reference and contracts according to standard guidelines.

Media and Public Relations

• Identify opportunities for media coverage of Medair’s programme activities by monitoring global humanitarian media coverage, key developments related to the context, and programme milestones.
• Prepare press releases, editorials, pitch stories to journalists on behalf of Medair and the country programmes.
• Act as media spokesperson or support programme colleagues in providing interviews to approved journalists.
• Respond to requests for media outputs from affiliate offices as approved by leadership.

Institutional Donor Relations

• Contribute to proposals regarding communications and visibility. Provide visibility reports as required.
• Build relationships with comms representatives of institutional funders to provide materials and develop opportunities related to global recognition days or programme milestones.

Standard Materials Required

• Submit material annually for the Annual Report.
• Update the First Stop programme overview quarterly, media kit, website country programme page.
• Contribute to the Medair News – three issues per year.
• Update the programme gift handles quarterly or as programmes change.
• Contribute to the quarterly content themes, campaigns, social media channels, private funding initiatives.
• Submit website content monthly (story, photo story, interactive content etc).
• Contribute to social media campaigns related to global recognition days.
• Submit photographs, quotes from staff, beneficiaries, humanitarian partners after each field visit.

Local Management

• Functional line management of field communications colleagues or focal points with guidance and skills development.
• Assist field leadership team in developing materials and methods for improving internal communication.
• Work with programme managers/project coordinators to manage communication budget lines and ensure accomplishment of communication and fundraising objectives.
• Provide oversight of branded/co-branded materials with programme procurement colleagues.
• Advise colleagues on the importance of branding and co-branding; provide guidance on quality and presentation.

Team Life

• Reflect the values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.

This job description covers the main tasks that are anticipated. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary.

Qualifications

• Degree in communications or marketing. Training or experience in multi-media production and editing.
• Strong working knowledge of English and French (spoken and written).

Experience

• 2 years of professional experience in media, communications, marketing, or fundraising.
• Excellent and inspiring communicator. Keen to share information internally and provide training.
• Ability to relate well and to establish trust with people who would share their story or have their photo taken.
• Excellent writing skills with the ability to target different audiences and to tailor output accordingly.
• Ability to process technical information into layman’s language with engaging angles.
• Skilled photographer and videographer. Proficient with video editing, video production and photo editing.