Advocacy and Communications Manager At CARE

JOB SUMMARY

CARE Jordan is seeking an Advocacy and Communications Manager to join the office management team and ensure CARE Jordan strategic communications and advocacy-related activities are in line with programmatic strategic and further CARE’s mission in Jordan. CARE Jordan has a long history of over 70 years implementing programming in Jordan with a wide geographic reach and focuses on humanitarian as well as development programs. CARE Jordan works with refugees, host communities, and other communities in need, to effectively advocate for positive change and policy influencing at national and global levels.

The Advocacy and Communications Manager will lead the Country Office efforts ineffective communication and advocacy strategy development and implementation, coordinating closely with regional CARE MENA (Middle East and North Africa) communications and capacity, as well as with CARE International members. S/he will play a significant role in shaping the external face and policy engagement of CARE and will work closely with program team members as well as CARE’s MENA Regional Management Unit to ensure the development and dissemination of targeted and measurable advocacy messages and communications.

The individual occupying this position will be expected to demonstrate high levels of personal initiative, will build excellent working relationships with local, national, and international networks and serve as lead contributor to ensure the provision of timely, quality and compelling information to the public about CARE’s work. This is a key position within the CARE International network and will be expected to cultivate and maintain strong relationships across CARE. He/she will be a member of CARE Jordan’s senior management team.

Advocacy and Communications Manager reports directly to the Country Director.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS:

Job Responsibility #1 Communications (40% of Time)

• Lead and coordinate the development of CARE Jordan’s communications strategy and alignment with programmatic objectives, donor visibility requirements, and key advocacy messages.
• Work closely with CARE Jordan program teams to identify success stories as well as highlight key areas of concern and lead efforts to “*tell our story in a compelling manner”* and maintain a library of success stories.
• Regularly share story, photos, and other resource ideas to CARE member offices through CARE-organized network meetings, where opportunities are identified, and/or as requested.
• In response to regional, member office and/or CI requests, research, write and as appropriate, publish stories about successes and needs in CARE programs.
• Ensure that all CARE Jordan communication/media activities conform with CARE International and COMMWG (Communication and Marketing Working Group) standards and principles.
• Support production and public dissemination of key documents produced, as well as documentation of key events, commemoration days, etc.
• Support CARE Jordan’s compliance with global CARE branding and corporate identity as well as compliance with donor branding and visibility guidelines;
• Coordinate and lead the development of annual newsletter and/or annual reports production for internal and external distribution.
• Manage the Azraq Film School and ensure its continuation in collaboration with colleagues at CARE USA

Job Responsibility #2 Advocacy (30% of Time)

• Lead on the development and implementation of an advocacy strategy to further CARE’s mission to advance humanitarian, development and protection needs of the most vulnerable in Jordan – including refugees and with emphasis on women and girls. Act as the key CARE Jordan focal point for advocacy coordination with different CARE advocacy leads and focal points.
• Coordinate with program teams, to develop key advocacy messages, campaigns, and documents in line with set advocacy objectives. Support/provide inputs into the Syria sub-regional (related to Syria and Syrian refugees throughout the region) and regional advocacy strategy (with a regional-wide GBV/GiE focus) and initiatives, as managed by the Sr. Syria Crisis Advocacy Coordinator and Regional Advocacy Adviser respectively.
• Facilitate advocacy capacity-building efforts for relevant program staff.
• Lead on the implementation of a collective impact model through cultivating relationships with other civil society actors and developing partnerships and coordination towards achieving joint goals.

Job Responsibility #3: Visibility, Brand Standards and Promoting CARE Visibility (15% of Time)

• Ensure that all publications including pamphlets, leaflets, posters, flyers, and all other CARE Jordan related printable material is unified and correct branding is applied
• Ensure that all staff are following the CARE Jordan visibility SOPs and Update SOPs as needed
• Design, implement, and oversee schedules for VIP visitor engagement, (CEOs, celebrities, high profile media personalities), during field visits, ensuring appropriate planning (risk mitigation, pre-visits, meetings with external partners, key messages
• Support the production of tools to help communicate CARE mission, vision and standards to beneficiaries/communities;
• Support program team in preparation of program briefs, story development and dissemination, etc to effectively tell stories from the field

Job Responsibility #4 : Staff Management (15% of Time)

• Directly manage communications and advocacy assistant and ensure clear assignment of tasks and division of labor.
• Collaborate with media and communications focal points from within different programs in the field and build their capacity to support communications and storytelling.
• Monitor the work of the team through regular follow up, and ensures the team produces timely reports, and key responsibilities.
• Support her or his team members in their everyday work through, advising and coaching.
• Ensure that the team receives the required technical and logistical support.
• Ensure that the team performs according to CARE standard practices and policies
• Conduct annual performance appraisal as per the organization’s policies and procedure
• Provide training, guidance, and support to the staff members to effectively perform their duties and promote a strong team spirit

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Education/Training

Required:

• Master’s degree in Media, Communications, or other related field.

Desired:

• Awareness of operating environment conditions
• Flexibility in accepting work assignments
• Work as part of a team
• Must be guided by sound ethical principles and transparency on work
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Experience in NGO communications or fundraising, journalism (broadcast or print), or related field such as media/public relations, and strong understanding of social (online) media;
• Experience in communicating about gender-based violence.
• Experience in communicating about humanitarian aid
• Experience in communicating about women’s empowerment
• Experience Required:
• The position requires a minimum professional experience of 3-5 years’ Experience supporting and leading related programs.
• Experience of leading communication activities (including information management) in a challenging environment
• Evidence of excellent verbal and written communication skills for a wide range of different audiences including donors, journalists and the ‘general public.
• An initiative-taking, proactive, inspiring attitude with the ability to manage and priorities an unpredictable workload and solve problems quickly with limited support
• Ability to deliver high-quality photographs and case studies from affected communities
• Excellent IT skills.
• Excellent understanding of (CO, CARE International) communication and information needs across fundraising, media and campaigning activities.
• Strong influencing skills
• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy
• Commitment to the aims and values of CARE International in Jordan.

Desired:

• Experience of creating media products such as press releases
• Multimedia and digital media skills
• Graphic design skills
• Skills Required
• Good knowledge of local operating environment
• Work as a team player with people from different cultural backgrounds
• Must be guided by sound ethical principles and transparency on work
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Flexibility in accepting work assignments
• Excellent & efficient in the use of word and excel programs
• Requires extensive written and verbal communication skills needed to motivate, convince, and/or change behavior or attitude of contacts
• Excellent writing, editing and communications skills in English required;
• Proven ability to design effective communication products, lead formulation of communication messages and strategies;
• People Skills: Ability to work independently and as a team player who demonstrates leadership and is able to support and train local and international staff and also able to work with disaster affected communities in a sensitive and participatory manner;
• Willingness to assume duties and responsibilities in all communications areas, as needed; pro-active and able to multi-task;
• Basic photography skills (able to compose a shot, interest in developing photography skills);
• Multimedia skills such as video production, photo management and graphic design;
• General finance, administration, information management and telecommunication skills and proficiency in information technology/ computer skills;
• Strong computer skills (Microsoft Office Suite, photo editing software, etc.)