Job Advertisement

Position Title: Regional Media and Communications Adviser
Location: Dakar
Country: Senegal
Deadline Date: 31st October 2024

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a global humanitarian organization established to assist people forced to flee their homes due to conflict and crises. NRC operates in multiple countries, including those in Central and West Africa, where it provides essential support to vulnerable populations. The organization is committed to defending the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons, and it emphasizes high-quality aid delivery. NRC fosters a culture of professional growth, innovation, and responsibility among its employees, ensuring that they are empowered to take initiative and contribute to the organization's mission. The organization values diversity, equity, and inclusion, and it has a zero-tolerance policy towards exploitation and abuse, ensuring a safe environment for all stakeholders involved.

Job Overview:
The Regional Media and Communications Adviser position is a pivotal role within the NRC Central and West Africa region, which encompasses several countries facing significant humanitarian challenges. The adviser will lead and support NRC's media efforts, producing communication products that align with global strategies and support country office advocacy and Fundraising objectives. This role involves Crisis Management support, media training, and the development of communication guidelines in French. The adviser will act as a spokesperson for NRC, representing the organization in various forums and ensuring that stakeholders are well-informed about the situation in the region. The position requires a proactive approach to media engagement and the ability to work collaboratively with global and country teams to enhance NRC's visibility and impact in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead media and communications crisis management support for the regional office, including contingency planning and training in cooperation with the global Public Communications Section.
• Participate in the standby duty scheme and build media contacts in West and Central Africa, as well as in Francophone countries.
• Develop and enforce style and guidelines for NRC communication in French, including Internal Communication and training.
• Serve as a spokesperson for NRC on regional crises and represent the organization in relevant internal and external forums.
• Ensure that NRC Visuals are regularly updated for effective communication about countries in the region.
• Manage the NRC CWA X account and provide support to other regions in exceptional cases, particularly during emergencies.
• Undertake any other tasks and responsibilities as directed by the line manager.

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's degree in a related field such as Journalism or communication, or in other relevant fields like International Relations, development, or Human Rights, combined with proven media experience.
• A minimum of five years of work experience as a media and/or communications adviser or journalist, preferably in contexts related to development, humanitarian crises, or foreign affairs.
• Strong media instincts and the ability to produce and edit media products in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated creativity in finding new media angles and collaborating with teams unfamiliar with media and communications.
• Extensive experience in content production and digital communication, including photography, videography, and social media content creation.
• A practical understanding of advocacy tools and the ability to identify media and communications products that support advocacy objectives.
• Strong relationship-building skills with internal teams and external media counterparts.
• Experience in working with data from NGO programming to develop advocacy and media products for diverse audiences.
• Graphic Design skills are highly desirable. 1
• Fluency in written and verbal communication in both English and French is required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as journalism, communication, international relations, development, or human rights. The degree should be complemented by substantial media experience, demonstrating the candidate's capability to navigate the complexities of media and communications in humanitarian contexts.

Experience:
The position requires at least five years of relevant work experience as a media and/or communications adviser or journalist. Candidates should have a background in development, humanitarian crises, or foreign affairs, showcasing their ability to operate effectively in challenging environments and produce impactful media content.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and French is mandatory for this position, as the role involves communication with diverse stakeholders in both languages. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the region may be considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with various audiences.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Dakar, Senegal, and is classified as a Family Duty Station. The contract duration is for 12 months, with the possibility of extension based on performance and organizational needs. The role may require travel of up to 30%. The salary and benefits are aligned with NRC's grade 9 on the salary scale. NRC is committed to equal opportunities and diversity in its workforce, ensuring a supportive and inclusive work environment for all employees.