Head of Communications & Partnerships At Lighthouse Relief

Department: Fundraising/Grants; Communications; Advocacy

Location: Athens, Greece

Start date: 20 December 2021 – 3 January 2022

Duration: 6 month contract with the possibility of extension

Reports to: LHR Board of Directors

Leads & Supervises: Communications Officer

Contract: Greek national contract (one month probationary period)

Context

Lighthouse Relief (LHR) is a non-religious, non-political, non-profit humanitarian organization with the mission of providing dignified immediate and long-term relief to those experiencing displacement. We use a sustainable, participatory approach, that is driven by those we serve.

LHR was founded on the Greek island of Lesvos in September 2015, mobilising to provide an emergency response to arriving refugees. In 2016, LHR expanded to support vulnerable groups such as children and youth on the mainland of Greece. Today, Lighthouse Relief is focused on providing psychosocial support to vulnerable groups in Greece, and on providing support to refugees and asylum seekers experiencing homelessness in Athens through our Streetwork Project.

LHR’s communications strategy is centered on the principles of dignity; respect; and accountability. LHR aims for our communications to be above all accountable to the people that we serve – to raise awareness about the situation in Greece for displaced people, while offering them a platform through which to elevate their messages.

Position Summary

LHR is looking for an experienced Head of Communications who is able to lead LHR’s external communications and fundraising strategies, in line with the organisation’s 2021-2023 Strategic Plan. The Head of Communications plays a vital role in the organisation, leading internal and external communication, while working closely with the Country Coordinator to ensure financial stability through institutional and private fundraising.

The HoC will balance grant and donor requirements with a robust communications policy, which supports brand integrity and established advocacy objectives. Working closely with the Country Coordinator, the Communications Officer, and the programme teams, the HoC’s defines and implements communications, partnerships, and grants management strategies geared at establishing LHR as a trusted voice and presence, promoting the LHR mission, and obtaining the necessary support and financial means to allow LHR to maintain its programmes.

The HoC leads, inspires and supervises a small but dynamic team responsible for promoting all elements of the LHR brand, developing and maintaining a network of relevant partnerships to support the LHR mission and vision, continuing to build and mobilise a community of ambassadors for fundraising and advocacy, and media relations. The HoC oversees and manages the communications team, made up of a Communications and Campaign Officer to assist with social media, fundraising campaigns and content creation.

The Head of Communications also continually defines and upholds the ethics and values of the Communications strategy, sharing these with internal and external stakeholders where possible.

Key responsibilities

Fundraising & Grants

• Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive and coherent fundraising strategy (private and public) in line with LHR’s strategic objectives;
• Develop and implement strong donor stewardship strategies, building relationships with existing donors;
• Working closely with the Country Coordinator, the HoC will develop strong grant proposals, letters of inquiry (LOIs) and programme descriptions;
• Working with the Country Coordinator & Board of Directors, the HoC will work to diversify LHR’s funding streams, seeking out funding opportunities from under-utilised avenues, such as corporate giving;
• Working closely with the programme teams, HoC will uphold strong reporting mechanisms with donors, and ensure that all donor requirements are met, and relationships are continually strengthened;
• HoC will also lead online fundraising campaigns (in close collaboration with Communications Officer), using online tools including social media, MailChimp, as well as direct outreach to donors in order to drive donations.

Communications

• Together with the Communications Officer, HoC will define an organisational story-telling strategy that is accountable to those served by LHR programming, elevates their voices, and is aligned with advocacy objectives;
• In line with this strategy, the HoC will ideate and execute integrated multimedia and storytelling campaigns with a limited budget. HoC will also work directly with the Communications Officer to brainstorm social media content, providing feedback and guidance regarding written and visual content;
• Ensure LHR is clearly and transparently represented externally and internally;
• Stay abreast of current trends and techniques, and manage social media and digital channels, LHR website and blog, press and media relations;
• Together with the Country Coordinator, represent Lighthouse Relief at events (both internal and external), as well as to the media;
• Oversees internal communications material, such as the LHR weekly report, and publishing of the monthly newsletter.

Advocacy

• Together with the Communications Officer, Country Coordinator and Board of Directors, the HoC will develop and implement an organisational advocacy strategy in line with objectives of the 2021-2023 Strategic Plan;
• HoC will work to develop, together with programme teams, methodologies by which LHR can share self-advocacy tools and training with people served by programming, and center the voices of people we serve in our advocacy messaging;
• Participate, together with the Communications Officer, in advocacy partnerships and joint advocacy efforts.

As the responsibilities listed here cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.

Qualifications

Required

• Demonstrated ability to achieve communications objectives with at least three years of experience in related fields;
• Extensive experience of both private and institutional fundraising, proposal development, and grants management using participatory methodologies and approaches, preferably with an NGO or similar capacity;
• Proven track record in resource mobilisation with strong practical understanding of fundraising (especially crowdfunding), using participatory methodologies and approaches;
• Excellent writing and editing skills, with proven ability to execute strong storytelling campaigns and social media strategies;
• Strong understanding of, and commitment to, upholding ethics and LHR values within the context of communications, fundraising and advocacy;
• Strong strategic, research, and analytical abilities;
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects and project members to deliver objectives on time;
• Demonstrated budget management skills;
• Fluency in written and spoken English, and excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills;
• Commitment to, and demonstrated ability to work well as part of a team, and to be a supportive, competent, and inspiring manager;
• Ability to work unsupervised, in a rapidly shifting context;
• Bachelor’s Degree or above;
• High level exposure to humanitarian and development issues and contexts;
• The candidate should have a valid work permit in EU;
• Minimum Age: 25 years old.

Desired

• Master Degree in fields including Migration; Human Rights; International Relations etc, or relevant work experience;
• Skilled photographer/videographer and proficient using photo, web and video editing software;
• Experience developing and implementing an organisational advocacy strategy;
• Knowledge of donor mechanisms such as DFID, ECHO and OFDA;
• Experience living and working extensively overseas;
• Experience volunteering or working within an NGO or governmental organisation;
• Interest and knowledge of displaced populations;
• Language skills in Greek, Arabic, Kurdish, Farsi/Dari, French are an asset.