Action Aid JOB ADVERT : COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER 18 mars 2014 (THIS IS A RE-ADVERTISMENT !!! POSITION NEEDS TO BE FILLED URGENTLY) ActionAid is an international anti-poverty agency working in over 47 countries, taking sides with poor people to end poverty and injustice together. Job Title : Communications Officer Reports to : Fundraising and Partnership Development Manager Department : Fundraising and Partnership Development Location : Bujumbura, with frequent field visits to locations in Burundi where ActionAid is implementing programmes. Job Role : To coordinate the development, implementation and monitor the organization’s communications, public relations and campaign plans in line with the organization’s strategic direction and programme objectives Application deadline : 26 03 2014, at 17:30 (Bujumbura time) Duties and responsibilities Develop and roll out ActionAid Burundi (AAB) Communications Strategy and Monitor its implementation in line with national and international six-year strategy priorities • Develop, roll out and monitor AAB communications strategy to maximize public awareness/engagement, donor support, advocacy and social change • Develop and roll out national communications Key Performance Indicators, Monitoring &Evaluation tools, policies and protocols to evaluate and measure impact of communications work nationally and internationally • Develop and roll out campaign frameworks and protocols to ensure maximum effectiveness with international and national strategic goals and objectives • Develop a national and regional lead system to harness network capacity and achieving greater impact from the resources available to us • Develop and roll out national protocols for communications work during emergencies and duress • Develop best practice in gender sensitive communication Liaise with programmes, policy, fundraising and sponsorship departments to plan, develop, roll out and monitor campaigns, documentation, brand profiling to increase public awareness, donors base, advocacy, and influence attitudes and behaviors • Develop and roll out campaigns at national level for mobilizing general public (youth, and women) to increase social engagement and advocacy • Strengthen media relations ; organize media breakfasts /dinners editorial meetings etc. (regular meetings with media) • Build capacity for all staff and partners for effective media work. Media training for on camera, radio, social platforms (blogs). Effectively write compelling stories, liaising with the media. Basic photo and video skills, basic website training etc. • Develop common programme framework that ensures integration of communication, campaigning and fundraising in programme design • Engage all units with media engagements collaboration (events, visits, contacts) • Draw up media plans for specific events, campaigns and events : - Hiring, coordination, contracts, accountability, budget, finance, monitoring & evaluating • Publicize organizational events and publications • Coordinating visits by supporters, potential donors, national and international media to project sites and ensuring that they are availed information in the most suitable way to profile the organization Maintains and upholds AAB standards of documentation, branding and profiling of AAB in line with international priorities to deepen our positioning as a ‘challenger brand’ in fighting poverty and injustice. • Ensure that communication is focused on people – the communities we work with, people who support our work and the impact of our collective action with more participatory and interactive communication approaches • Create new brands to deepen our position as a ‘challenger brand’ where AA’s progressive approach promotes reappraisal of our issues and the role of Non overnment Organisations • Commitment to women’s rights central to our theme in our identity development and tactical approaches • Develop strong linkages with child sponsorship into our identity narrative • Carryout audience mapping to include young people (youth) • Develop toolkit and materials to support identity building and rebranding • Develop, maintain and grow digital media usage and platforms such as website, Facebook,Twitter, SMS usage Develop staff and partner communication capacity, roll out and uphold robust internal & external communications policies, practices and systems to ensure efficiency, timeliness and effective interactive communications practices compliant with global communications policy and strategy • Supports the process of systematic collection of Stories of change and case studies, engaging partner organizations, programmes units, sponsorship, and Local Rights Programmes (LRP’s)by developing and implementing training • Document and share AAB’s development models and participatory approaches. • Develop a systematic ways of conserving institutional memory • Develop capacity of LRP staff and partners, support the organisation with workshops for partners, LRP staff to work with the media and engage on social platforms • Maintain and manage the organizational resource Centre • Publish regular updates on communications activities across AAB • Showcase partners on website and train them to develop digital media and engage in virtual social platforms Develop & strengthen best practices in development communications and create practical tools for mainstreaming communication planning into programming to give poor and marginalized communities a platform to raise their concerns on rights issues and secure public knowledge and awareness on these issues • Develop robust internal and external communications policies, practices and system to ensure efficiency, timeliness and effective interactive communication practices • Develop a national interactive file sharing photo / case study library to be shared among staff, partners & communities where we work • Apply national communication practices compliant with Accountability, Learning and Participatory Systems ALPS for more interactive and participatory and further engage stakeholder in training and video / photo activism • Develop participatory models of communication practices and digital tools for staff, partners, beneficiaries to enhance communications work • Roll out an AAB quarterly newsletter for internal and external purposes and updates Qualification and Experience : • Academic degree, equivalent to at least 4 years university, in in journalism, public relations, marketing, communications, or field related to international development. • A minimum of 3 years of relevant professional experience in a communications, public relations or public information officer role. • Demonstrated experience in writing and editing publishable text (writing samples may be requested ; a written test written test will be conducted) Skills and Abilities :  Communication (strategic) planning and implementation  Communication monitoring and evaluation  Media management and social media  Events management  Documentation and reporting  Materials development and publishing  Web site designing and management  Video production and editing  Public speaking  Excellent communication (writing and speaking) both at English, French and Kirundi as well.  photography and photo editing  graphic design and layout  Human rights and development communications approaches (communications activism)  Language : high level of written and spoken English and French is essential Applications must be received by email, at recruitment.Burundi@actionaid.org, no later than26rd March 2014, at 17:30 (Bujumbura time) Applicants must include the following documents :  a brief cover letter, in English, explaining why the candidate is an outstanding candidate for this job.  CV (in English)). Contacts for three professional referees , Please note that incomplete applications will be disqualified. Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply. Candidates who already applied need not re-apply. Please note that this is a national position. In case of need of clarification, please contact HR person at 25722217814.