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Roving Regional Communications Adviser - Central and West Africa, Oslo/Dakar

Oslo

  • Organization: NRC - Norwegian Refugee Council
  • Location: Oslo
  • Grade: Mid/Senior level - Mid/Senior - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Communication and Public Information
    • Emergency Aid and Response
    • Communications / PR
    • Journalism
  • Closing Date: Closed


The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a non-governmental, humanitarian organization with 60 years of experience in helping to create a safer and more dignified life for refugees and internally displaced people. NRC advocates for the rights of displaced populations and offers assistance within the shelter, education, emergency food security, legal assistance, and water,sanitation and hygiene sectors.

The Norwegian Refugee Council has approximately 5000 committed and competent employees involved in projects across four continents. In addition, NRC runs one of the world’s largest standby rosters -NORCAP, with 650 professionals, ready to be deployed on 72 hours notice when a crisis occurs

Background

In Central and West Africa, NRC runs humanitarian programmes in Cameroon, Central African Republic, DR Congo, Mali and Nigeria. During the next 6 to 8 months NRC aims to expand its presence in the Lake Chad Basin region by establishing additional programmes in Niger and/or Chad. The regional office for Central & West Africa, currently based in Norway, is expected to move to Dakar in Senegal by mid-2018. In June 2017 it was decided that the Central and West Africa Office should move closer to its operations with the establishment of a regional office in Dakar, Senegal by July 2018 and there is a wish that the new Roving Regional Communications can start working in Oslo and then move to Dakar when suitable.

Role and responsibilities

The Roving Regional Communications Adviser will provide communications and media support to the humanitarian programmes in the region. The main purpose of the position include:

  • Initiate, produce and support the production of strong communications and media products, including press releases, photos, video and social media material.

  • Promote, advocate and raise awareness around NRC’s activities, results and initiatives through a variety of communication vehicles.

  • Mentor, train and support NRC staff in the region on media and communications.

    Generic responsibilities

  • Develop and implement the regional communications plan based on Regional strategy and plan of action, and in line with the Global Communication Strategy.  Monitor the impact of the plan and adjust accordingly.

  • Develop and maintain a strong media network for the region, including building relations with journalists in all countries in the portfolio.

  • Proactively pitch interviews, press releases and field visits to international and local 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 take TV and radio interviews. Manage interviews for other NRC staff.

  • Initiate, produce and support the production of strong communications and media products, including web stories, photos and video in accordance with set objectives for the region.

  • Produce regular talking points on relevant issues, and support NRC’s contingency communications plans.

  • Produce, collect and edit material for NRC’s social media platforms from the countries in the region, and Manage NRC’s regional social media platforms, and utilize innovative and emerging tools to produce relevant content to these platforms.

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

  • Ensure that communication and media documents are archived in an easily retrievable electronic based filing system, including filing photos in line with existing guidelines. Prepare periodic reports and summaries for the management on regional media activities.

  • Mentor, train and support NRC staff in the region on media and communications.

    Specific responsibilities

  • The Roving Regional Communications Adviser will have a special focus on the Lake Chad Basin region (i.e. Nigeria, Cameroon, and possible new programmes in Chad and/or Niger).

  • The Roving Regional Communications Adviser is also expected to provide support in case of new emergencies in any of the existing programmes     

     

    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.

    Experience in producing photos and videos, and in editing is an advantage.

    Experience in managing a variety of producing social media content.

    Experience in training, coaching and management is an advantage.

    Field experience from complex emergencies is desirable.

    Behavioural competencies

    Good communicator and strong networking skills.

    Good understanding of public advocacy work. 

    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 French and English is essential.

             

    Contract period: 1 year with possibility to extend
    Salary/benefits: According to NRC’s general directions.
    Duty station: Oslo, Norway/ Dakar, Senegal
    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

          

This vacancy is now closed.