Communications Officer, VAcancy at Jesuit Refugee Service in Johannesburg in South Africa

Post:Communications Officer, Organisation:    Jesuit Refugee Service
Country:    South Africa
Location::    Johannesburg
Theme:    Protection and Human Rights
Job years of experience:    0-3 years
Job type:    Job
The Regional Communications Officer is responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of the regional communications strategy.

Established in 1980, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is an international Catholic organisation with a mission to accompany, serve and advocate on behalf of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons. JRS programmes are found in 51 countries, providing assistance to: refugees in camps and cities, internally displaced persons, asylum seekers, and to those held in detention centres. The main areas of work are in the field of education, emergency assistance, healthcare, livelihood activities and social services. At the end of 2011, more than 600,000 individuals were direct beneficiaries of JRS projects. 

Direction of the work

•     Develops and reviews the regional communications strategy, including the media strategy, of JRS
•     Communicates the mission, vision, values and activities of JRS throughout the region to specific target groups as well as to a wider audience.
•     Facilitates and encourages communication within JRS Southern Africa.
•     Implements JRS International guidelines on the production of quality content.
•     Overall responsibility for the JRS regional website and supporting the International Office in its website development work.
•     Oversees the production and dissemination of e-publications and other information materials.
•     Coordinates contributions from the region to JRS International publications and identifies non-JRS publications and websites for publication of JRS-related content.
• Finance and budgeting
•     Works closely with those responsible for fundraising to identify and produce materials for specifically defined donor groups.

Care for personnel
    Provides, or procures, training for field and other key staff in the region on communications, media and photography skills.

Communication

•     Maintains regular contact with the JRS International Office, country directors and where appropriate, with field personnel and project directors.
•     Edits and supervises production and dissemination of regional publications.
•     Maintains database of photos in the region and produces high quality photographic images of JRS activities for publications, donors, partners and the media.
•     Maintains and regularly updates the JRS regional distribution list; creates and manages database of online donors and supporters.
•     Provides limited support to staff in the region related to the management of jrs.net e-mails on the JRS server.

Representation of JRS

•     Prepare press releases/statements and responds to media requests for information.
•     Facilitates interviews and other cooperation between the media and JRS personnel in the region.
•     Implements the regional media strategy.
•     Develops and maintains relationships with specific media contacts / targets and refugee community representatives and, if necessary other stakeholders.

Advocacy

•     Updates the Regional Director and staff and country directors on relevant information, research related to forced migration.
•     Works closely with the Regional Director and country directors to identify key public advocacy issues in-country and keeps International Communications and Advocacy Coordinator informed of same.
•     Tertiary education in communications, international relations or related discipline.
•     Minimum of two years working experience in managing websites and social media tools, preferably with a human rights or development organisation.
•     Minimum of two years of working experience in editing and writing material.
•     Experience of working with media/journalists and developing and implementing media plans.
•     Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, and a good working knowledge of French. Portuguese an advantage.
•     Two years of working experience in the use of Photoshop software, as well as good understanding of photography and photo management software.
•     Demonstrated ability to work and deliver under pressure and tight deadlines.
•     Ability to produce short videos, as well as design printed materials with Adobe InDesign.
•     Demonstrable experience of, and capacity for, working collaboratively as part of a team

Other

•     Good understanding of, and compatibility with, the values of JRS
•     Compassion for refugees and displaced people, and strong motivation to work with them.
•     Good pastoral sense, with the ability to listen and negotiate, good personal communications skills and capacity to work in a multi-cultural environment
•     Willingness to work and travel extensively in the region and live and stay in simple conditions
•     Flexibility and ability to work in less than optimal infrastructure conditions.

To implement the goals of the organisation JRS seeks to recruit people who:

•     are ready to share in its mission
•     have the capacity to understand the plight of refugees
•     are committed to service and to justice and
•     are willing to offer their talents and skills to support and encourage those who desire to serve refugees
•     Contract is for 1 year renewable with an initial probation period of four months.
•     JRS remuneration policy is in keeping with the JRS ethos to offer effective and professional services and at the same time express solidarity with the people served. The salary scale is calculated with the use of a post adjustment multiplier and takes into account years of relevant experience and degree of responsibility of the role. Details will be discussed with candidates short-listed for interview.

Closing date: 30 Jul 2013
How to apply:

Job ID: #589093
http://reliefweb.int/job/589423/gra%C3%A7a-machel-trust-nutrition-programme-manager