A vital information link between beneficiaries and Medair's target audiences, the Field Communication Officer (FCO) works to actively support the work of the Communications and Fundraising (CFR) department at HQ, by providing and facilitating relevant and timely information for Medair’s communication and fundraising activities. They lead and advise field teams in dealing with external communication (publications, media, etc.), monitor visibility in the field, and support internal communications of the country programme.
Project Overview
Medair is working in the central Highlands region of Afghanistan. The communities in this region are marginalised and very vulnerable to shocks such as drought, flooding and landslides. Medair is working to improve access to WASH services, improve food security, to reduce the risk of disasters via improved natural resource management, and to provide assistance when disasters occur.
Starting Date
As soon as possible
Initial Contract Details
Full time, min. 12 months, 18-24 months preferred
Workplace
Based in Kabul, with frequent field trips to Central Highlands. Take a look at Medair’s work in Afghanistan.
Key Activity Areas
Communications and Fundraising Resources
- In order to support Medair’s communications and fundraising strategy, plans and activities, travel frequently to field projects to pro-actively and re-actively gather and pitch resources (testimonies, interviews, quotes, photos and video footage) and updates on programmes and projects.
- Brief all staff during in-country briefing about their role in communicating about the organisation.
- Support the HQ Communications Resources Officer by gathering, preparing and adapting communication and fundraising material for input into the HQ CFR dept. document management software and online photo database.
- Provide regular visual resources from field programme activities to always keep the photo and video database in the HQ CFR department supplied with up-to-date content.
- Provide update reports on programmes and projects previously communicated about in campaigns, stories, fund appeals or private major donor proposals.
- Prepare, facilitate and accompany field visits of photographers, journalists, or media crews accredited by the HQ CFR department. If and when applicable, draft terms of reference and contracts according to standard guidelines.
- Report monthly to HQ CFR using the FCO Situation Report.
Media and Public Relations
- Be aware of and get information about local emergencies, surveys or topics of interest to the media.
- Act as an expert/advisor to the programme leadership and team in regard to media and communication.
- Proactively liaise with local, regional, national and international media in the field.
- Act as media spokesperson for Medair in the field in close coordination with the Country Director.
Digital Social Media
- Actively facilitate, produce, publish, and/or promote short content updates on Facebook and other social media such as Twitter, in coordination with the HQ Digital Communications staff.
- Train and encourage field staff on the appropriate use of online social media.
Institutional Donors Relations
- Review proposals and reports in collaboration with HQ CFR, to ensure compliance on communication agreements and opportunities.
Brand and Co-branding Coordination
- Advise Programme Managers upon institutional donor marking visibility budgets and conditions according to Medair and institutional donor guidelines.
Internal Communication
- Assist field leadership team in developing tools and structures to pro-actively support the team in improving internal communication within the programme, e.g. internal news, team meetings.
Donor Relations Management
- Support the country team leader in maintaining efficient donor relationship management (e.g. providing appropriate and timely feedback to ensure they are fully informed of project progress and success) with all new and existing donors.
- Administer the drafting of some proposals related to the country programme for submission to institutional donors.
Qualifications
- Professional qualification in Communications / Fundraising / PR / Media or a related field
Languages
- Strong working knowledge of English (spoken and written)
Experience / Competencies
- 2 years of professional experience in media /communications or private fundraising
- Excellent writing skills with the ability to target different audiences and to tailor output accordingly
- Competent with photo-editing software desirable
- Strong grasp of online social media tools and techniques
- Self-starter while being a team player; ability to work alone (in terms of own objectives) yet in collaboration with others who are working towards very different objectives
- Ability to relate well with many kinds of people, and to establish rapport and trust with people who may be nervous or suspicious to share their story or have their photo taken
- Able to cope with basic living conditions in the field and during field trips
Medair Standard Working Requirements for the Field
- Experienced professionals in a relevant field; Overseas intercultural experience
- Committed Christians; commitment to the Medair values
- Strong working knowledge of English, spoken and written
- Working knowledge of French, spoken and written, for French-speaking field programmes
- Single or married (with no children under 18). If married, your spouse must also apply.
- Successful completion of Medair Relief & Recovery Orientation Course (ROC)
- Reflect the vision and values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, external contacts
- Able to live and work in a multicultural team under difficult conditions
- Strong character traits, including emotional stability, adaptability, ability to handle stress, cultural and gender sensitivity, honesty, and physically fit
Benefits
- A salary based upon the grade of the position and the experience of the position-holder
- Comprehensive briefing at our Swiss headquarters, as well as an in-country briefing
- Security training for those going to particularly insecure environments
- Accommodation, food, and transportation in-country
- Return flights to and from the country programme (one return flight for every year of service)
- Rest and recuperation (R&R) leave (including travel, accommodation, and food)
- Annual leave; Disability Allowance; Contribution matching programme for retirement savings
- Additional contract benefit allowance for those who commit to longer contracts
- Comprehensive medical and emergency rescue insurance, with up to 60 days post- assignment coverage, including debriefing
Working Conditions
- Winter conditions in Afghanistan prevent field access for 4 months of the year, so the FCO should be prepared to use creativity and close collaboration with team members to provide resources during this time. He/she should also be willing to support training, proposal/report-writing, and various other tasks during these months.
Application Process
- See more at: http://relief.medair.org/en/jobs/positions/field-communication-officer-afg/#sthash.ppF4CmK6.dpuf
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