Communications Officer

Job Posting Organization:
Relief International (RI) is an international non-profit organization dedicated to partnering with communities affected by conflict, climate change, and disasters. Established with a mission to save lives, build resilience, and promote long-term health and wellbeing, RI operates in 15 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. The organization employs over 7,000 staff and local volunteers who work collaboratively to provide essential services in Health and Nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), Education, and Livelihoods. RI emphasizes the importance of developing safe, inclusive, and evidence-based local programming that is sensitive to conflict and climate issues, ensuring that aid reaches those who need it most. The organization is an alliance of four entities—Relief International, Inc., Relief International-France, Relief International-UK, and Relief International-Europe—operating under a unified leadership structure and a shared mission to deliver impactful humanitarian assistance.

Job Overview:
As a Communications Officer at Relief International, you will be instrumental in enhancing the visibility and reputation of RI’s critical work in Syria. Your primary responsibility will be to craft compelling narratives and content that effectively highlight the impact of RI’s health, protection, nutrition, and WASH programs. You will collaborate closely with program teams, community members, and external stakeholders to produce high-quality content, including success stories, human-interest articles, digital media, and other communication materials that align with organizational guidelines and donor expectations. This role requires a nuanced understanding of the complex operational and cultural landscape in Syria, as you will coordinate with both country and regional communications teams to ensure consistent messaging and brand alignment across all communications efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Your key responsibilities will include ensuring the timely and quality production of communication materials that meet RI and donor visibility requirements. You will develop engaging and context-appropriate content that showcases the impact of RI’s programs throughout Syria. It is essential that all communications uphold RI’s ethical standards, including safeguarding beneficiaries and protecting sensitive data. You will identify, gather, and produce success stories, case studies, social media content, and human-interest pieces from the field, while also supporting the production of visual content such as photos, videos, and infographics for various platforms. Maintaining an updated library of high-quality communications materials, including testimonials and project profiles, will be part of your duties. Additionally, you will assist in preparing press releases, talking points, and reactive media lines in collaboration with senior staff. You will ensure consistent application of RI branding and visibility guidelines across operations in Syria and support the design and production of various communications materials, including brochures, banners, reports, and presentations. Furthermore, you will assist in preparing internal newsletters and updates to foster team engagement and uphold the highest standards of behavior in line with RI’s Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies, acting as a role model for ethical behavior and respect for affected communities.

Required Qualifications:
To qualify for this position, you must possess a university degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field. A minimum of 3 years of professional experience in communications, media, or humanitarian storytelling is essential. You should have a demonstrated ability to write compelling content in both Arabic and English for diverse audiences, along with experience producing content in challenging operational environments, preferably within Syria or similar contexts. Familiarity with photo/video production, graphic design tools, and social media platforms is required, as well as a strong understanding of safeguarding, informed consent, and ethical storytelling. Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple deadlines are crucial for success in this role. Fluency in Arabic and professional working proficiency in English are mandatory.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field. This foundational knowledge is critical for effectively executing the responsibilities associated with the role of Communications Officer.

Experience:
The position requires at least 3 years of professional experience in communications, media, or humanitarian storytelling. This experience should ideally include working in challenging operational environments, particularly in contexts similar to Syria, where understanding the local dynamics is essential for effective communication.

Languages:
Fluency in Arabic is mandatory, along with professional working proficiency in English. These language skills are crucial for crafting content that resonates with diverse audiences and for effective communication within the organization and with external stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is likely to be full-time, and while the job ad does not specify the contract duration, it is common for roles in humanitarian organizations to be project-based or tied to funding cycles. The seniority level is not explicitly mentioned, but the role requires a significant level of expertise and experience, suggesting a mid-level position. Relief International is known for its commitment to ethical practices and safeguarding, which will be integral to your role as you engage with communities and stakeholders.