Communications Officer

Job Advertisement

Position Title: Communications Officer
Location: Port Sudan
Country: Sudan
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is a part of the United Nations Secretariat. Established to coordinate humanitarian response efforts, OCHA plays a crucial role in mobilizing and coordinating effective humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors. The organization aims to alleviate human suffering during disasters and emergencies, advocate for the rights of people in need, promote preparedness and prevention, and facilitate sustainable solutions. OCHA operates in numerous countries worldwide, working with various humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies.

Job Overview:
The Communications Officer is responsible for developing and implementing communications strategies that influence the humanitarian agenda, promote public and media outreach, and mobilize support for humanitarian operations in Sudan. This role involves collaborating with various stakeholders, including governmental bodies, NGOs, and international organizations, to ensure effective communication of humanitarian needs and responses. The incumbent will report to the Head of Communications and will play a key role in managing communications campaigns, media relations, and public information efforts, ensuring that the humanitarian message is effectively conveyed to the public and relevant stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Communications Officer will undertake a variety of key duties and responsibilities, including supporting the strategy, planning, development, and implementation of large, complex communications campaigns. This includes leading common media and communications efforts, identifying funding sources for major campaigns, and supporting reporting and analysis of the humanitarian situation. The officer will also manage media relations for senior officials, prepare communication plans for high-level missions, and provide expert advice on public affairs issues. Additionally, the role involves developing strategic partnerships, preparing diverse information communications products, evaluating the impact of communications activities, representing the institution in meetings, and managing the publications program. The officer may also coordinate and mentor junior officers and oversee day-to-day communications operations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in communication, journalism, or related fields is required, with experience in engaging with the media and writing on humanitarian crises being desirable. Experience in crisis communication and managing content for social media platforms is also preferred.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in relevant fields such as communication, journalism, international relations, or public administration. Candidates with a first-level university degree and additional qualifying experience may also be considered. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of humanitarian communication and effectively engaging with various stakeholders.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in communication, journalism, international relations, or public administration, with a Bachelor's degree. Alternatively, candidates with a Master's degree need at least five years of relevant experience. Experience in crisis communication, engaging with media, and working in a UN or comparable international organization is highly desirable. Additionally, experience in managing communications in aid operations in the field is preferred, as is familiarity with social media content generation.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and Arabic is mandatory for this position. This bilingual requirement is crucial for effective communication within the diverse humanitarian context in Sudan, allowing the officer to engage with a wide range of stakeholders and ensure that messages are accurately conveyed in both languages.

Additional Notes:
This position is open exclusively to Sudanese Nationals. The role may involve frequent interaction with various humanitarian sectors, UN agencies, international and national NGOs, and government entities. The organization adheres to a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, ensuring that all selected candidates undergo rigorous reference and background checks. OCHA promotes an inclusive work environment and does not discriminate based on race, gender, religion, nationality, or other statuses. The organization also emphasizes that there are no fees associated with the application or recruitment process.