Communication with Refugees Adviser

Job Posting Organization:
NORCAP is an organization that works to improve aid to better protect and empower people affected by crises and climate change. Established as part of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), NORCAP focuses on providing expertise and solutions to humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding partners. The organization believes in collaborative efforts to reduce needs, risks, and vulnerabilities over time. NORCAP operates globally, engaging with various partners to enhance the effectiveness of aid and create opportunities for vulnerable populations. The organization has a significant presence in multiple countries, particularly in regions affected by conflict and crisis, and aims to strengthen national systems to ensure inclusive and accessible education responses for displaced communities.

Job Overview:
The Communication with Refugees Adviser plays a crucial role in delivering NORCAP’s commitment to enhancing the capacity of the Ministry of Education and Research (MER) in Moldova. This position is essential for ensuring that refugee families receive accurate and timely information regarding educational pathways for their children. Given the recent influx of refugees due to the war in Ukraine, the adviser will work closely with the MER to address the challenges faced by these families in accessing education. The role involves developing effective communication strategies that facilitate two-way dialogue between the Ministry and refugee families, thereby removing barriers to school enrolment and participation. The adviser will also be responsible for creating sustainable communication systems that will remain in place beyond the duration of the assignment, ensuring that the Ministry can continue to engage effectively with displaced communities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Communication with Refugees Adviser will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including:

• Collaborating with Ministry colleagues to build sustainable capacity through strategic planning and hands-on support.
• Conducting a rapid communication and needs assessment to identify existing channels, information gaps, misconceptions, and language barriers.
• Supporting the development of a Communication with Refugees Strategy that aligns with Ministry priorities, including crafting clear messages and audience segmentation.
• Translating the strategy into a practical action plan with timelines, responsibilities, and measurable indicators, ensuring joint ownership through workshops and mentoring.
• Developing accessible information products for refugee families in appropriate languages and formats, such as FAQs, visuals, and videos.
• Strengthening public communication regarding education access, enrolment campaigns, and policy updates, ensuring consistency across various platforms.
• Designing and operationalizing two-way communication and feedback mechanisms in collaboration with schools, local authorities, and refugee-led organizations.
• Building the Ministry’s capacity to analyze community feedback and manage rumors, ensuring that learning informs communication products and policy messaging.
• Contributing to NORCAP’s knowledge exchange and collaboration with other experts, participating in relevant meetings and learning activities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Communication with Refugees Adviser position should possess the following qualifications:

• A minimum of five years of experience in community engagement, accountability to affected populations, and public communication, particularly in designing and implementing evidence-based strategies and feedback mechanisms.
• Proven experience in developing communication products and utilizing media and social platforms for outreach to diverse audiences.
• A strong understanding of education systems and public sector communication, ideally within humanitarian or refugee-response contexts.
• Experience working with government institutions, humanitarian actors, and coordination mechanisms, with familiarity in refugee protection principles and education standards being an asset.
• Knowledge of the Interagency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) Minimum Standards and refugee protection principles is preferable.
• Experience in training, mentoring, and delivering capacity strengthening sessions to multicultural teams.
• Familiarity with international, EU, and European Commission policies and benchmarks in education is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
The ideal candidate should hold an advanced university degree in education, communication, social sciences, international development, or a related field. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of communication within the context of education and refugee support.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least five years of relevant experience in community engagement, public communication, and accountability to affected populations. This experience should include the design and implementation of strategies that effectively address the needs of diverse communities, particularly in crisis situations.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Russian is mandatory, with a minimum proficiency level of B

• Knowledge of Ukrainian and/or Romanian is considered an advantage, as it would facilitate communication with refugee families and enhance the effectiveness of outreach efforts.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Chișinău, Moldova, and involves field visits within the country. It is a fixed-term contract until 31 December 2026, with the possibility of extension subject to continued funding. The role reports to the Head of the Interethnic Relations Policy Section at the Ministry of Education and Research, with technical reporting to the NORCAP Education Thematic Manager. NORCAP offers a rewarding work environment within a renowned global organization, access to a network of humanitarian, peace, and development professionals, and eligibility for NORCAP membership and future assignments, contingent on successful performance reviews. All applicants must undergo reference and background checks, and an approved Health Certificate will be required prior to contract commencement.