Advocacy & Communications Specialist, Africa & Eurasia

POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS seeks an Advocacy & Communications Specialist, Africa & Eurasia to join its growing and dynamic team supporting Kenya and Chad. This position reports to the Deputy Regional Director, Africa & Eurasia and works closely with colleagues in the Global Public Affairs division.

In the field of advocacy, HIAS supports laws and policies that reflect the principles and values of welcoming the stranger and protecting the refugee. It also is committed to the promotion of refugee rights and humanitarian principles. This role will contribute towards building greater synergies through advocacy initiatives, whilst in the process, broadening such efforts to include a more global audience. The incumbent will also contribute to HIAS’ communications strategies that aim to continually raise HIAS’ profile in editorial and production projects.

Please note, this position can be based in Kenya, Chad, Belgium, Greece, Israel, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania and Poland. French fluency is required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Leads advocacy and communications efforts in the region with humanitarian partners and other relevant stakeholders in relation to refugee and humanitarian priorities, and frequently participates in humanitarian communications working groups.
• Provides oversight on implementation of advocacy initiatives in country offices and monitors the fulfillment of the objectives in line with the broader strategic vision for the organization.
• Supports in the development of strategic plans for the country offices; ensures cohesion of strategic plans and approaches across the team.
• Builds partnerships and coordinates work with other networks and allies in the humanitarian and human rights field in Africa and beyond, to maximize the chance of securing advocacy wins.
• Represents HIAS in advocacy-related working groups and networks in Africa, and feeds into advocacy conducted by HIAS headquarters on Africa-related refugee response.
• Coordinates closely with counterparts in HIAS’ headquarters covering international communications and advocacy in the implementation of strategies implemented in HIAS’ operations in Africa.
• Coordinates the compilation of stories, pictures and videos covering HIAS’ humanitarian and emergency response activities for communication and advocacy purposes.
• Drafts and produces country office annual reports, brochures and promotional materials showcasing advocacy recommendations, programs and other relevant communications for visibility, including relevant social media.
• Drafts communications sections of reports and proposals to existing and prospective donors.
• Supports country offices in development and management of budgets that support communications and advocacy activities.
• Guides relevant country office communications focal points on compliance to various or emerging donor communications requirements.
• Trains and provides oversight on the development of content for HIAS Chad’s and HIAS Kenya’s social media channels.
• Supports in organizing media outreach within the country offices and leads on regional media outlets by arranging for media contacts, press briefings and interviews; provides talking points and other materials as needed for colleagues.
• Performs other duties assigned by the Regional Director, Africa & Eurasia.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Undergraduate degree in Communications, Public Relations or International Relations.
• 3-5 years of experience in communications and advocacy in Africa.
• English and French fluency are required.
• Working experience in an international humanitarian NGO.
• Strong background in humanitarian and/or refugee-related advocacy in Africa.
• Understanding and commitment to the values of HIAS.
• Experience managing social media for an NGO.
• Basic graphic design skills; video and photo editing experience preferred.
• Enthusiasm to learn new communications and advocacy skills.
• Flexibility to travel up to 20% of the time.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to work in a team and independently, take initiative, prioritize competing tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

HIRING PROCESS:

We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process:

Step 1: Submit your application!

Step 2: Phone screen with a HIAS recruiter.

Step 3: Video interview with the hiring manager.

Step 4: Video interview with a panel of HIAS employees.

Step 5: Online reference check with SkillSurvey.

Step 6: Offer and background check with Shield Screening.

Step 7: Start your professional journey with HIAS!

Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.

ABOUT US:

Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.

HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission and values.

VISION:

HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity.

MISSION:

Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

VALUES:

Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité • Hachnasat Orchim

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice • Tzedek

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • Chesed

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • Chevruta

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage • Ometz

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • Ruach

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

DIVERSITY:

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation, or other legally protected status.

SAFEGUARDING:

HIAS is committed to the protection of children, vulnerable adults and any other person from any harm caused directly or indirectly due to their coming into contact with HIAS. We will not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse or any form of child abuse or neglect by our staff or associated personnel. Any candidate offered a job with HIAS will be expected to sign and adhere to HIAS’ Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records. HIAS also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. Likewise, HIAS will share this information when other organizations inquire about current and former HIAS staff as part of their recruitment process. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Please submit your resume, cover letter and application to our website: https://hias.hrmdirect.com/employment/job-opening.php?req=2409957&&&nohd#job