I.  JOB SUMMARY:

The communication Specialist has a main purpose to drive media and communications activities as a component of the project influencing and advocacy work. This involves all traditional sources as well as more creative once and innovative digital communication platforms with a higher impact on the civil societies, communities, and other stakeholders. Also, to produce briefs and knowledge management to be sued for advocacy at policy level.

II.  Responsibilities and Tasks:

Job Responsibilities #1: Media and communication Strategy

• Collaborate with project director and other technical team members to develop and implement an effective communications strategy based on target audience

• Develop and execute the communication plans at project level that matches with CARE principles

• Develop and maintain communication processes and internal systems for CARE, partners and government ministries that work on the project

• Sharing communication platforms and dissemination channels

• Share information about the project and on-the-ground- efforts with the public and lead the project’s exploration of targeted campaigns

• Responsible for drafting and producing information packets (Briefing papers, fact sheets, etc.) composes, edits, and manages electronic and hard-copy materials that capture the stories behind project work

• Develops deep knowledge of programs via ongoing participation in meetings, field visits, partnership meetings, and active information seeking

• Conducts filming and video recording of project activities

• Documents and maintains activities using video, photo, and electronic presentations

• Provides technical support to different project employees in the production advocacy/visibility works and PR related activities

• Networking, relationship building, information gathering and dissemination with all relevant actors.

• Produce learning brief regularly from the project

• Produce high level communication materials to be used at government and donner level for advocacy

• Share knowledge management materials produced at organization level and different platforms

Job Responsibilities #2: Responsible for conceptualization and implementation of aspects of CARE Ethiopia’s Public Relations to the project Activities - % of Time: 25%

• Responsible to work with government ministries and partners on communication issues of the project and CARE

• Responsible for Capacity Building of the project staff and government staff on communication.

• Responsible for media relation and issuing of information packets for all public relations activities.

• Develop strategic guidance for CO public relations (PR) activities and provide systematic support to project and programs.

• Responsible for developing and implementing a yearly action plan for public relations activities.

• Provide proactive recommendations as to appropriate advocacy messaging; provide leadership in putting forth ideas and recommendations; information monitoring.

• Take the lead in familiarizing stakeholders with new strategies and plans of the country office, using a variety of media:

• Produce and disseminate CARE’s stories in relation to the project and beyond demonstrating strategic plan and programmatic profiles.

• Participate and lead the organization in relevant national and international events that contribute to build organizational image and goodwill.

• Provide technical advice support to the team and stakeholder in the production of programmatic visibility works and PR-related activities.

• Document and maintain project activities at CARE and stakeholder organizations using video, photo, and electronic presentations.

• Plan concept development of PR activities related to specific project initiatives.

Job Responsibilities #3: Coordinate and manage CARE Ethiopia’s Press and Media Relations -% of time: 20%

• Provide advice to the CARE projects, staffs, and stakeholders on PR related issues.

• Responsible for decision making, recommendations related to how CARE and stakeholders can more strategically use information and the media both inside and outside of the organization

• Responsible for preparing guidance (FAQs, talking points, etc.) in anticipation of inquires from the news media regarding the project activities, specially in the event of an emergency response.

• Collaborate and share information with CI (In collaboration with the CI Communications Working Group) to maximize effectiveness and efficiency

• Responsible for the establishment and maintenance of good press and media relations.

• Plan strategic events/activities for wider media coverage, specially in the event of an emergency response

• Responsible for the identification of topics for, and development of, press releases

• Liaise with Ethiopian and International media and CARE international press officers and participate in different platforms

• Manage press visits and information dissemination

• Issue crisis management in cases of trends of media controverses, specially in relation to CARE.

• Cultivate relations with and maintain a data base of local, national, and international correspondence and Media persons.

Job Responsibilities #4: Prepare all aspects (Coordination with stakeholders and contributors, as well as production, layout, publication and working with vendors) Off quality periodic in-house newsletters - % of time – 2.15%

•  Gather information/input from projects, employees, or other sources

• Responsible for follow-up and recording of events related to CARE’s and stakeholders’ activities

• Organize, prepare, and design, and distribute the internal a monthly newsletter

• Produce and distribute newsletter of the project.

Job Responsibilities #5: Responsible for assessing training needs on communication and PR issues – % of time 2.5%

• Responsible for conducting PR training needs assessment

• Responsible for undertaking research on communities and preparing or outsourcing the development of training materials

• Organize and facilitate training to Senior staff whenever necessary.

Job Responsibilities #6: Perform other duties as assigned --% of Time: 5

III Problem Solving (Thinking Environment)

• Levels one, two, three of problem solving apply to the incumbent. The Public Relations/Communications Specialist requires a high level of technical independence as well as political acumen in understanding the complexity of media Vis-à-vis many different stakeholders. S/he is required to use interpolative skills to pick and choose the right strategy to address given problems, and to determine how and whether to communicate with various audiences in a way that ensures the promotion and protection of CARE’s Image.

Job Responsibilities #7: Perform other duties as assigned.

GENDER EQUALITY

• Understanding and demonstrated commitment to the importance of gender, youth, and social inclusion issues.

• Demonstrated commitment to principles of Gender Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and PSEAH (safeguarding), as evidenced in previous positions / programming

Job Requirements

III. Qualification (KNOW HOW)

A)     Education

Required

• Master’s Degree in public or International Relations, or other relevant discipline.

Desired

• Master’s Degree in Journalism.

B)     Experience

Required:

• Minimum ten years of professional work experience in communications work especially in producing materials for high level advocacy. Proven experience developing and implementing communications strategies through variety of means, such as traditional, digital and social media, and/or storytelling

• Ability to develop communications strategies using behavioral and social change communication, including audience segmentation and social mobilization.

• Knowledge of adolescence girls’ and women economic challenges, gender mainstreaming, and labor issues is preferred.

• Must devote project to project activities to achieve expected outcomes.

Desired

• International NGO experience

C)      Technical Skills

Required

• Knowledge of adolescent girls’ and women economic challenges, gender mainstreaming, and labor issues is preferred.

• Excellent written and verbal English and Amharic Skills.

• Computer Proficiency including desktop publishing.

• Excellent interpersonal skills

• Willingness to travel, often under difficult conditions

• Firm belief in teamwork, gender equality, sensitivity to HIV/AIDS and Participatory approach.

D)     Competencies

Respect, accountability, courage, excellence, communication with impact, political acumen, planning and organizing, initiating action, innovation, interpersonal skill, information monitoring, stress tolerance.

IV) Contacts/Key Relations

The communication specialist is expected to cooperate and work with national and international staff and partner offices. S/he also works closely with External Relations and Government Liaison Specialist and other Concerned staff. 

How to Apply

Register using this LINK

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Passionate and dedicated candidates who meet the requirement are strongly encouraged to apply, especially women!

CARE Ethiopia is committed to preventing all unwanted behavior at work. This includes sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, and child abuse. We expect everyone who works for us to share this commitment by understanding and working within the CARE Safeguarding Policy and related framework. CARE Ethiopia has a zero-tolerance approach to any harm to, or exploitation of, a vulnerable adult or child by any of our staff, representatives or partners.

CARE Ethiopia reserves the right to seek information from job applicants’ current and/or previous employers about incidents of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment the applicant may have been found guilty to have committed or about which an investigation was in the process of being carried out at the time of the termination of the applicant’s employment with that employer.

By submitting the application, the job applicant confirms that s/he has no objection to CARE Ethiopia requesting the information specified above. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks.

CARE seeks to improve the lives of the most marginalized, particularly women and girls. Our diversity is our strength. We encourage people from all backgrounds and experiences to apply.