Head of Communications & Partnerships (HoC) At Lighthouse Relief

Department: Fundraising; Communications

Location: Athens, Greece

Start date: Mid-December to Early January, subject to candidate’s availability

Duration: Six month contract with the possibility of extension

Reports to: LHR Board of Directors

Leads & Supervises: Communications & Campaigns Officer

Contract: Greek national contract (one month probationary period)

Context

Lighthouse Relief (LHR) is a non-religious, non-political, non-profit humanitarian organisation 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 (HoC) who is able to lead LHR’s external communications and fundraising strategies, in line with the organisation’s 2021-2023 Strategic Plan. Ensure LHR is clearly and transparently represented externally and internally

Working closely with the Country Coordinator, the Communications Officer, and the programme teams, the HoC defines and implements communications and fundraising 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 oversees and manages the communications team, made up of a Communications and Campaign Officer, working together on social media, fundraising campaigns, and digital content creation, such as blog posts. The HoC also defines and upholds ethical communications policies, sharing these with internal and external stakeholders where possible.

Key responsibilities

Fundraising

• Implement a comprehensive and coherent fundraising strategy in line with LHR’s strategic objectives;
• Lead online fundraising campaigns, using online tools including social media, MailChimp, as well as direct outreach to donors;
• Build relationships with existing private donors, while reaching out to new donors;
• Diversify Lighthouse Relief’s funding streams by seeking out new opportunities from corporate donors;
• Working closely with the Country Coordinator, and the programme teams, the HoC will develop grant proposals;
• Working closely with the programme teams, HoC will provide updates and reports to institutional donors, maintaining strong relationships with them;

Communications

• Work closely with the Communications & Campaigns Officer, defines an organisational story-telling strategy that is accountable to those served by LHR programming, and elevates their voices;
• Execute multimedia and storytelling campaigns with a limited budget;
• Oversee social media production and content, providing feedback and guidance regarding, and brainstorming ideas with the Communications Officer;
• Manage social media, the LHR website and blog, 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.
• Together with the Communications, Country Coordinator and Board of Directors, the HoC will work towards strengthening the organisational advocacy strategy in line with objectives of the 2021-2023 Strategic Plan;
• 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 fundraising, with track record in executing successful fundraising campaigns;
• Excellent writing and editing skills, with ability to execute strong storytelling campaigns;
• Experience in proposal development, and reporting to institutional donors, preferably with an NGO;
• Strong understanding of, and commitment to, upholding ethics and values within the context of communications;
• Strong strategic, research and analytical abilities;
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects and project members to deliver objectives on time;
• 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, 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 living and working extensively overseas;
• Experience volunteering or working within an INGO or governmental organisation;
• Interest and knowledge of displaced populations;
• Language skills in Greek, Arabic, Kurdish languages and Farsi/Dari are an asset;
• Demonstrated budget management skills.