Senior Communication Expert

The expert will have overall responsibility for the formulation and implementation of activities related to the communication and visibility of the EU on other projects implemented by the EU in Iraq, contributing strongly to development of the overall working plan, and the annual working plans. The expert will identify needs and demands in this area, prepare specific ToR, and plan activities and training programmes for implementation under the project.

The project will take place for a period of 36 months. The senior communication expert is expected to work a minimum of 200 days.

Qualifications and skills

• Advanced University Degree (PHD / Masters) in a discipline relevant to the scope of this assignment, such as communication, journalism, arts, marketing, public administration, engineering, sciences, economics, development economics, international relations, law or other relevant subjects.
• Excellent communication skills in English, being able to communicate effectively and diplomatically with a wide range of contacts, including public speaking skills.
• Proficiency in Arabic is a strong asset.
• Good analytical skills, and capacity to produce clear and concise written documents in English.
• Strong project management, planning and coordination skills, with the ability to deliver a complex project effectively and under tight deadlines.
• Good people management skills; able to lead and motivate a multi-cultural team to deliver the required results.
• Relevant IT skills (MS Office Applications).
• Proficiency in all relevant specialized communication, graphics, design, video, publication software, and social media.

General professional experience

• Minimum 8 years’ experience in one of the following areas: communication, journalism, new media, public relations, digital marketing, internal communication or media relations;
• Minimum 6 years’ experience in developing, managing and implementing communication strategies in the field of democratisation.
• Minimum 4 years relevant experience within the MENA region, or in transition economies or in fragile and post-conflict states.

Specific professional experience

• At least 8 years of proven experience in managing projects related to the field of international partnership, foreign affairs, communication, public relations or equivalent;
• Knowledge and proven experience in supervising and coordinating projects;
• Experience of working on communication campaigns and outreach, managing events;
• Proven experience of writing, editing and communicating complex messages in everyday terms;
• Experience of working on communication with the EU or international organisations or public institutions;
• General knowledge of Iraq’s political and institutional framework as well as EU-Iraqi relations;
• Samples required for the specific professional experience must be provided with the offer.