OUR WORK IN ETHIOPIA

Job details

DIVISION: Supporter Engagement

TEAM: Advocacy, Communications, and Campaigns  

LOCATION: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with frequent travel to Oxfam operation areas  

CONTRACT TYPE: Fixed Term contract for 1 year with the possibility of Contract Extension

GRADE: C2 National                        

JOB FAMILY:  Communications

SALARY: As per the Oxfam benefit package

HOURS: 37.5 per week

FLEXIBLE WORKING

We believe flexible working is key to building the Oxfam of the future, so we’re open to talking through the type of flexible arrangements which might work for you. This is a full-time role; however, Oxfam offers various flexible arrangements which candidates can discuss with the Recruiting Manager at the interview stage.

TEAM PURPOSE:

The Advocacy, Communications, and Engagement Team (ACE) are responsible for guiding Oxfam in Ethiopia’s (OIE) external relations including public awareness, research, visibility, and campaigning. The team works closely with Oxfam’s programs to conduct evidence-based advocacy aimed at ending inequality and injustice while supporting the rights and voices of the populations we serve. The team develops policy positions, facilitates networking and coalition building, supports internal and external capacity strengthening, and disseminates key learning.  We aim to support activities that will achieve change at scale at all levels. Raising the voices of the communities we work with is critical to influencing a sustainable shift in local, national, regional, and global policies and practices.

JOB PURPOSE:

The Media and Communications Coordinator’s main purpose is to drive media and communications activities as a component of Oxfam’s influencing and advocacy work. This work involves all traditional media sources, as well as new media, and social networks (such as Facebook and Twitter) and other more innovative digital communication platforms with a higher impact on civil societies, communities and other stakeholders.     

POST HOLDER REPORTS TO

Advocacy, Campaigns, and Media Manager

JOBS REPORTING TO THIS POST

Senior Communication and Influencing Officer

BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY

No

DIMENSIONS OF THE ROLE

The Media and Communications Coordinator:

• Designs and reviews Oxfam communications, influencing, and promotional materials,
• Oversees and manages Oxfam's social media presence,
• Research ways to expand a support base and serves as a liaison to media outlets,
• Plays a key role in producing regular situation reports on humanitarian responses.
• Drafts, reviews, and edits communications materials for external release.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical:

1. Develop the media and communications strategy and delivery with inputs from internal actors in the country and the Oxfam network as well as external interlocutors.  

• As per the Advocacy & Media Advisor’s leadership, develop the Oxfam Media and Communications Strategy and ensure its delivery, in partnership with other Oxfam staff, making effective use of various and innovative communication channels and technologies.
• Develops and executes the communication plans, both at the organizational and programme level.
• Conducts needs assessments of external and internal constituents so that communications are targeted, timely, and effective.
• Prepares a variety of communication materials for both internal and external use (web content, background briefings, case studies, press releases, reactive lines) for the Oxfam programme, advocacy, campaigning and fundraising work, ensuring all media and communications work is gender sensitive and follows Oxfam’s sign off procedures.
• Research, compiles and analyse information from media, other agencies, and Oxfam programmes.
• Develops and maintains communication processes and internal systems.
• Supports the Advocacy & Media Advisor as the point of contact for internal and external queries relating to the Oxfam Ethiopia programme.
• Networking, relationship building, information gathering and dissemination, with all relevant external actors in Ethiopia (i.e. other agencies, the media) and internal actors across Oxfam in Ethiopia.
• Identifies new and emerging mediums for effectively communicating with a wide range of audiences.
• Plans and organises profile-raising opportunities including media opportunities and events.
• Advises Oxfam staff and partners on internal and external communications needs, ensuring best practices and providing training where necessary.
• Participation in all staff meetings and planning sessions in a proactive way; acts as ongoing liaison as needed and works closely with Oxfam in Ethiopia programme teams.
• In cooperation with the logistics team, manages contractors from project inception to completion, including creating scopes of work, obtaining competitive prices, and overseeing the timely deliverable of quality contract work of media and communications products.
• Be familiar with and abide by Oxfam International procedures and international standards (e.g., Sphere Minimum Standards), (where relevant) the NGO / Red Cross Code of Conduct, International Humanitarian Law (IHL) as well as protection issues.
• Responsible for brand management, and ensuring that Oxfam’s branding procedures are used correctly, consistently and clearly, in media, communications and influencing materials.
• Provide technical assistance to Oxfam staff to monitor and adhere to Oxfam brand identity standards. Make sure all digital, as well as visibility materials, are produced in line with the Oxfam Global brand identity

2. Ensure that Oxfam policies and organizational values are included in all materials produced by Oxfam Ethiopia

• Ensure that the materials developed to communicate Oxfam’s work internally or externally follow policies, procedures and guidelines, especially gender equity. This post will advise technical staff and programme services as needed on issues of Media, Communications and brand guidelines.
• Following line manager requests, the coordinator will be ready to act as Oxfam’s representative at local and national levels when engaging with local authorities, partners, etc. as required in events relating to communications activities

3.    Any related assignments assigned by the line manager

Other

• Required to adhere to Oxfam’s principles and values as well as the promotion of gender justice and women's rights.
• Understanding of and commitment to adhere to equity, diversity, gender, child safety and staff health and wellbeing principles.

Person specification

1. Be committed to equal opportunities: demonstrating sensitivity to culture differences and gender equality.

2. Be willing to learn and apply gender mainstreaming, women’s rights, and diversity and inclusion across all aspects of your work.

3. Be committed to undertaking Oxfam’s safeguarding training and adhering to relevant policies, to ensure all people who come into Oxfam are as safe as possible.

For this role, we have selected two of the most relevant feminist Leadership practices for this role (which you can read more about here.

1 Self-Awareness

2 Mutual accountability

3 Relationship Building

Essential

•  Bachelor (BA) or Degree from a recognised university/college in Media & Communications, Journalism, International relations or any other related areas that can bring added value to the job
• Relevant Media and Communications experience of 5-7 years (i.e., in the development and delivery of media and communications strategies) preferably in an international NGO and out of which 2 years should be supervisory/managerial experience
• Understanding and expertise in the use of media and communications in advocacy and influencing programmes
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Amharic to a variety of audiences
• Deep commitment to Oxfam’s core values, and standards for informed consent and dignified representation
• Understanding of development issues and knowledge of the role of NGOs in development, humanitarian, and advocacy work
• Experience in writing articles, press releases, and communication material productions including print and audio-visuals, and experience in providing media interviews/ briefings
• Ability to anticipate media opportunities and to devise and deliver imaginative plans
• Strong interpersonal skills, sensitivity to cultural differences and ability to work in a wide variety of cultural contexts
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise work issues to meet deadlines with minimal supervision and adjust to constantly changing situations while maintaining focus on delivery and follow-through
• Ability to provide specialist communications advice, training and support to the Oxfam Ethiopia team, and key external partners
• Ability to engage with a variety of complex issues such as gender, humanitarian response and livelihoods and translate these into simple messages
• An understanding of the importance of gender on poverty and suffering and a commitment to promoting diversity
• Good computer skills (MS-word, MS-Excel, MS-PowerPoint, publishing and editing software) as well as strong social media experience (Twitter, Facebook)
• Flexibility in terms of travel and working hours. The position holder will work away from the office for periods of up to 2 weeks at a time on a regular basis
• Willingness to travel including to medium/high-risk areas

Desirable

• Knowledge of the opportunities and constraints of working with the Ethiopian media
• Strong photographic and video skills
• Communication skills in other local languages
• Understanding of international humanitarian principles, standards, and guidelines (e.g., International Humanitarian Law, Guiding principles for Internal Displacement, protection, Sphere minimum standards, etc.)