Communications Officer

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Position Title: Communications Officer
Location: Port Sudan
Country: Sudan
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is a part of the United Nations Secretariat. Established to enhance the effectiveness of humanitarian response, OCHA plays a crucial role in mobilizing and coordinating humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors. The organization aims to alleviate human suffering in 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 to ensure effective communication and advocacy for humanitarian needs. The incumbent will report to the Head of Communications and will play a pivotal role in shaping the public narrative around humanitarian issues, ensuring that the voices of those affected by crises are heard and addressed. The position requires a strategic thinker who can manage complex communications campaigns and engage with diverse audiences to raise awareness and support for humanitarian initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Communications Officer will undertake a variety of key duties and responsibilities, including but not limited to: supporting the strategy, planning, development, and implementation of large-scale communications campaigns; identifying funding sources for major campaigns; drafting and distributing reports on the humanitarian situation; managing media relations for senior officials; providing expert advice on public affairs issues; developing strategic partnerships with key constituencies; preparing diverse information communications products; evaluating the impact of communications activities; representing the institution in meetings and conferences; organizing media coverage and public events; building information networks; managing the publications program; and supporting day-to-day communications operations. The role may also involve mentoring junior officers and coordinating a team of public information staff.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong set of qualifications, including knowledge and understanding of humanitarian issues, the ability to analyze and resolve problems, and the capacity to conduct independent research. The ideal candidate will demonstrate professionalism, teamwork, and effective planning and organizing skills. Managerial competencies such as judgment and decision-making are also essential, as the role involves identifying key issues in complex situations and making informed decisions that impact the organization and its humanitarian objectives.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of humanitarian communication and advocacy.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration, or a related field, with a Bachelor's degree. Alternatively, five years of experience is acceptable with a Master's degree. Experience in engaging with the media, writing professionally on humanitarian crises, and crisis communication is desirable. Additionally, three years of experience in communications within aid operations in the field and experience working in a UN or comparable international organization communication environment are preferred. Familiarity with managing social media content is also beneficial.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and Arabic is required for this position. This bilingual capability is essential for effective communication with diverse stakeholders and for ensuring that humanitarian messages reach a broad audience. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This position is open exclusively to Sudanese Nationals. The job may involve frequent interaction with various humanitarian sectors, UN agencies, international and national NGOs, and government entities. The organization emphasizes a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, ensuring that all selected candidates undergo rigorous reference and background checks. OCHA is committed to diversity and inclusion, and does not discriminate based on race, gender identity, religion, nationality, or other statuses. The organization also warns applicants about potential scams related to job applications, emphasizing that no fees are charged during the recruitment process.