RDPP Reporting and Communications Specialist (national staff) (READVERTISEMENT)

Post location: Beirut, Lebanon or Amman, Jordan, with travel to Jordan, Lebanon and Northern Iraq

Regional Development and Protection Programme for refugees and host communities in the Middle East (Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq)

1. Introduction and Background:

The Regional Development and Protection Programme (RDPP) is a European initiative with the objective to support Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq to better understand and mitigate the impact of forced displacement of Syrian refugees. The RDPP aims at supporting displacement affected communities to access their rights, be safe, and participate in development through evidence-based, innovative, locally founded interventions and, once possibilities arise, be supported to avail themselves of a durable solution. The programme focusses in the areas of livelihoods, protection, research, advocacy and policy dialogue, and the programme works in partnership with government institutions, civil society, NGOs, and UN agencies. 

The RDPP is supported by a platform of donors; the Czech Republic, Denmark, European Commission (Madad), France, Ireland and Switzerland. Denmark manages the programme through the Programme Management Unit with offices in Beirut and Amman. A second phase of the programme was launched in October, which will have an increased focus on localisation of aid.

The employer will be Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.

1. The position

1. 1. Title: Reporting and Communications Specialist
   2. Place of Service: Beirut, Lebanon or Amman, Jordan with frequent travels to Jordan, Lebanon and Northern Iraq
   3. Duration: Two years with the possibility to extend
   4. Reporting to Programme Manager in Beirut
   5. Terms of employment: Full time

1. Area of responsibility / tasks

With the launch of the second phase, the RDPP is looking for an experienced and motivated team member to lead the reporting and communication tasks of the programme. S/He will be part of a lean management team under the supervision of the Programme Manager and working closely with the team members across the two offices in Beirut and Amman.

The Reporting and Communication Specialist will be responsible to compile annual and quarterly progress reporting to the donors contributing to the RDPP. Further, the Specialist will develop and implement a strategic communications strategy for the RDPP and producing key communications products for external use. The Specialist will support partner organisations to develop their communications and visibility plans, including communication with communities, support quality assurance and compliance with RDPP branding.

The post requires frequent travel to Jordan, Lebanon and Northern Iraq.

The main areas of responsibility and tasks will be:

REPORTING

• Lead on drafting the narrative annual donor reporting and quarterly (QIN) reporting, in coordination with relevant input from other team members
• Where necessary, support partners in enhancing their reporting skills (with focus on national partners) and provide input to the Partnership and Localisation Specialist on this
• Stay abreast of main development and humanitarian context development, including desk reviews of new reports and literature relevant for the strategic areas of the RDPP and for reporting
• Together with the RDPP team, identify innovative elements in partner projects and collect information for dissemination or publication
• When requests arise, compile ad hoc updates on programme elements

STRATEGIC PROGRAMME COMMUNICATIONS

• Lead the development and implementation of a communications strategy for the RDPP using a range of communications mechanisms and tools to enhance understanding of programme among partners, donors, host governments, beneficiaries and host communities
• Implement activities in the three programme countries, regionally and, when appropriate, internationally to enhance the visibility of the RDPP and the support by the contributing donors
• Source information and content for use in communications products, including testimonies and stories of change, from partners through field visits and regular communication
• Develop and implement events for specific communications plans and products for use in RDPP events and advocacy initiatives including supporting layout and simple graphic design of communications products
• Act as focal point and liaison for press and journalists for visiting donors, high-level RDPP events or similar activities
• Liaise closely the RDPP Programme Coordinator on press releases, official communication and RDPP branding
• Maintain and update the RDPP website and social media accounts
• Ensure appropriate dissemination of communications and advocacy products
• Support the organizing and related publicity of RDPP hosted events

SUPPORT TO RDPP PARTNERS ON COMMUNICATIONS, COMMUNICATION WITH COMMUNITIES

• Support partners to develop their strategy to ensure two-way communication with communities and stakeholders
• Assist partners in developing their project communication and visibility strategy and implementation plan
• Ensure compliance of partners with the RDPP communication strategy and branding, including on communication products and press engagements
• Monitoring media on RDPP supported partnerships
• Collect and file from partners reporting in the media and communication products related to the RDPP support

1. Profile / required qualifications

The ideal candidate will be strongly motivated with initiative and willingness to contribute to an innovative programme as the RDPP. S/he will have significant experience in leading reporting on large-scale programmes for donors, preferably from humanitarian settings and/or EU funded programmes. S/he will also have experience with strategic communications and visibility and excellent written communications skills in English.

Academic requirements

• University degree in social sciences, journalism, communications/media studies or other related discipline. A post-graduate qualification will be positively considered.

Work experience required

• Minimum 5 years of relevant work experience in reporting, communications, advocacy and/or media relations or journalism.
• Extensive experience of  leading on drafting and compiling reporting for donors in English for a large scale programme for UN, donor agency, NGOs, preferably from EU funded programmes or projects
• Proven experience of developing  and implementing communications plans and products for an international organisation or local NGO will be an asset
• Field experience in humanitarian or development assistance is an asset, as is knowledge of protection and livelihoods programming, including communication with communities
• Knowledge and experience in forced displacement-related programmes will be an asset.

Languages

• Fluency in English (written and spoken)
• Preference for fluent Arabic (written and spoken)

Skills and competences

• Excellent communicator with strong written and reporting skills, especially written
• Initiative and motivation to work independently and develop solutions to problems. Highly flexible in style with the ability to produce creative and pragmatic solutions to complex problems
• Strong analytical skills and a good networker
• Be a team player with willingness to work in a regional position with frequent travels and colleagues across several project offices.
• Strong planning and organizational capabilities and good analytical skills
• A flair for IT is preferred, especially related to publishing and graphic design software

Please note that the final appointment is conditional upon obtaining the required security clearance. The candidate must be able to work legally in Lebanon or Jordan.

1. How to apply

Those qualified and interested are invited to send a CV and a one-page motivation letter explaining why their skills and experience are a good match for the position to [email protected]. Please include in the subject of the email your name and “Communications and Reporting Specialist”. The CV should not be longer than 3 pages and must be in English.

Only short-listed candidates will be invited for personal interviews and a written test.

The deadline for applications is midnight (Beirut time) 3^rd January 2019.