Media and Communication Adviser Headquarter - Head Office

Background

The Norwegian Refugee Council is seeing a constantly growing media attention and with this the need for professional and strategic media and communication approach.

The Media and Communication section is part of the External Relations Department takes global lead on developing, reviewing and implementing NRC’s media policy and strategy, including developing guidelines, tools and trainings.  The section coordinates and holds editorial responsibility for NRC’s day-to-day global media presence, including support to Regional and Country offices. It advises all parts of the organisation on media messaging.

Role and responsibilities

The Media Adviser will provide communications and media support to the entire organisation but with special responsibility for one selected region.

The main purposes of the position include:

• To implement NRC’s global communication strategy.

• Give media and communication support to the Regional Media advisers and the Media Advisers in the country offices as well as the representative offices, including IDMC and NORCAP.

• Build relationship with key media personalities globally so they take on the NRC cause.

• Mentor, train and support selected NRC staff on media and communications.

• Initiate, produce, support on and publish strong communications and media products including press releases, and social media content.

• Produce and publish op-eds in multiple international media outlets.

• Promote, advocate and raise awareness around NRC’s activities, results and initiatives through a variety of communication vehicles in close cooperation with the country offices.

• Act as a spokesperson whenever needed 

Responsibilities

• Implement the global NRC communications strategy and action plan together with the other three media advisers. Monitor the impact of the plan and assist the Head of section to adjust accordingly.

• Develop and maintain a strong media network, including building relations with journalists.

• Proactively pitch interviews with NRC staff, write press releases and arrange field visits for international and other media outlets, to draw attention to humanitarian needs and neglected crises, NRC’s work and public advocacy issues.

• Act as spokesperson for NRC, and regularly do media interviews for TV, radio and print outlets. Manage interviews for other senior NRC staff.

• Produce regular talking points for the Secretary General and the senior management team on relevant issues, and support NRC’s contingency communications plans.

• Explore, initiate and assist in developing better systems, processes, guidelines, policies, methods and tools used by NRC media and communication staff globally.

• Implement NRC’s global media policies and guidelines.

• Produce, collect, edit and publish material for NRC’s social media platforms from the countries in the region.

• Establish good working relations with communication counterparts in other organizations and the UN, with a view of doing joint communication work to amplify humanitarian issues.

• Mentor, train and support senior NRC staff on media and communications.

• Any other communication and media work as arises.

Professional competencies

• Five years’ work experience as a media/communications adviser or journalist – preferably related to development/humanitarian crises/foreign affairs.

• Experience doing live TV and radio interviews. Spokesperson experience is desirable.

• Demonstrated ability to find new creative media angles.

• Demonstrated communication and media performance high strategic levels.

• Demonstrated ability to write and publish op eds in international media.

• Experience in editing

• Experience in crisis communication.

• Experience in managing a variety of producing social media content.

• Experience in training and coaching senior management.

• Field experience from complex emergencies.

Personal qualities

• Good communicator and strong networking skills.

• Ability to handle a large workload, to cope with stress and work under pressure, independently and with limited supervision.

• Well-structured and with an ability to deliver on short deadlines.

• Patient, flexible and creative, and it helps to have a sense of humour.

• Diplomatic and ability to communicate openly and with respect.

• To work effectively with others across a broad range of topics and contexts.

Education

Bachelor degree in related field, such as journalism or communication, or Bachelor degree in other relevant fields such as international relations, development, human rights, combined with substantial media experience.

Languages

Fluency in written and verbal English is essential. Other languages are an advantage.

Contract period: 1 year with possibility to extend

Salary/benefits: According to NRC’s general directions.

Duty station: Oslo, Norway

Application procedures and CV registration: Please note that you are required to enter the geographical location for all your previous positions while registering your CV. There is no specific field for this information in our CV form, but you can use the "Company name" field for both company and location.

NRC reserves the right to conduct a full background check on shortlisted candidates