Communications and Media Adviser

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization dedicated to assisting people who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict and crises. Established to provide life-saving and long-term assistance, NRC operates in 40 countries worldwide, employing approximately 15,000 staff members. In the Middle East alone, NRC has over 3,000 employees focused on aiding those affected by conflict in countries such as Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Libya, and Palestine. The organization is committed to addressing the needs of vulnerable displaced individuals through its core competencies, which include Shelter, Education, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), Livelihoods and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Food Security, and Information Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA). NRC's mission is to uphold the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons, ensuring they receive the support and assistance they need to rebuild their lives. The organization fosters a culture of empowerment, encouraging employees to share ideas and take responsibility, while also promoting diversity and inclusion across all levels of its operations.

Job Overview:
The Communications and Media Adviser position at NRC Syria is a pivotal role that focuses on the development, coordination, and effective delivery of communications and media initiatives aligned with the organization's advocacy priorities and communications strategy. The successful candidate will be an exceptional storyteller with a keen eye for detail, capable of amplifying the voices of those served by NRC. This role demands the ability to work under tight deadlines while managing multiple projects simultaneously. The adviser will provide strategic vision and editorial leadership, transforming both existing and new content into high-quality communications materials. Responsibilities include crafting compelling written content such as stories, blogs, and designing communication products that resonate with diverse stakeholders. The role also involves gathering program content, editing, writing, and collaborating with local and international press to highlight Syria's humanitarian conditions. This position is ideal for an all-rounder who thrives in a dynamic environment and is passionate about storytelling and media engagement.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Communications and Media Adviser will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including but not limited to: developing and implementing monthly communications and media action plans in collaboration with the Media and Communications Coordinator; conducting regular field visits to gather high-quality content, including photos, videos, and interviews; producing and organizing multimedia content for both internal and external platforms to enhance NRC Syria's visibility; identifying and developing human interest stories that adhere to NRC's guidelines and ethical storytelling principles; mentoring and coaching relevant staff to strategically gather content in line with NRC Syria's priorities; analyzing complex program and humanitarian information to create accessible and newsworthy communication products; pitching media stories and facilitating interviews with relevant staff and stakeholders; and systematically building the capacity of field teams through training and on-the-job support in storytelling, photography, and communications practices. Additionally, the adviser will collaborate with program and grants teams to produce compliant visibility and donor communications materials.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Communications and Media Adviser position must possess a minimum of five years of experience in media and communications, preferably within an NGO or similar context in Syria. A relevant university degree is required, along with demonstrated skills in communications, content development, storytelling, media engagement, and interviewing. Extensive experience managing social media platforms and digital communications is essential, including the ability to measure data analytics for impact. Candidates should have significant experience producing high-quality content for traditional media and working with the press. Proven skills in photography and videography, including short-form production and editing under pressure, are also necessary. The ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to train, mentor, and collaborate with diverse teams, possess proficiency in English and Arabic (both spoken and written), and have strong analytical and computer skills, including proficiency in MS Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, data analytics or visualization tools, and experience with multimedia content production.

Educational Background:
The position requires a relevant university degree that demonstrates the candidate's skills in communications, content development, storytelling, media, and interviewing. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of media engagement and the nuances of effective communication in a humanitarian context.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of five years of experience in media and communications, ideally within an NGO or similar context, with a preference for experience gained in Syria. This level of experience is necessary to ensure that the candidate is well-versed in the challenges and dynamics of working in a humanitarian environment, particularly in a conflict-affected region.

Languages:
Proficiency in English and Arabic, both spoken and written, is mandatory for this position. Additionally, knowledge of Kurdish is considered a plus, as it may enhance communication with diverse communities in the region.

Additional Notes:
The duty station for this position is Damascus, with travel requirements of approximately 50% to areas of operation. The salary and benefits are classified as Grade 8 on NRC’s salary scale. NRC is an equal opportunities employer, committed to diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability. The organization encourages innovative thinking and empowers employees at all levels to take responsibility and share their ideas. Candidates should be aware that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, and applications that do not meet the minimum standards in terms of experience or qualifications will generally not be considered. Unsolicited applications not related to this specific job advertisement will not be accepted.