Communications Officer At Spark

Position:

Communications Officer

Location:

Amsterdam or Istanbul

Application Deadline:

April 16th , 2023

Duration:

Full-time

Start Date:

ASAP

Salary:

Amsterdam €1,800-2,000 p/m based on experience

OR

Istanbul €1,200-1,400 p/m based on experience

SPARK is looking for a Communications Officer to support the global communications team and programmes throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa. SPARK opens pathways to employment through entrepreneurship, internships, scholarships and supporting MSMEs to scale up and create job opportunities.

About you

The Communications Officer will be a flexible, multi-tasker with a broad range of communications skills including writing, graphic design, social media and filmmaking, as well as strong interpersonal and journalistic skills.

About the role

This new, exciting and creative position, led by the Communications Manager and Digital Marketing Specialist, will work closely with all members of the communications and programme teams across 14 countries to boost SPARK’s external profile, as well as improve internal communications. The Communications Officer will produce and edit quality written and designed content for a range of SPARK communication channels, including press, the SPARK website, social media and newsletters. As a hands-on self-starter, the Communications Officer will be involved with event organising (IGNITE conference), website development, storytelling, filmmaking and digital marketing, as well as gain access to internal training opportunities. Based either in the Amsterdam HQ office or Istanbul regional hub office for the Middle East, the candidate may be required to travel.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

The responsibilities and tasks include, but are not limited to:

  • Strategy – support and contribute to SPARK’s communications strategy targets and objectives;
  • Multimedia and communications content – produce and manage the creation of promotional video production and photography alongside filmmakers/photographers, conduct interviews with programme participants and develop written stories and articles.
  • Social media – support the Digital Marketing Manager in developing social media content and campaigns surrounding programme updates, international/UN days, events and key strategic topics;
  • Website management –proactively manage the SPARK WordPress website (English and Arabic sites), support the redevelopment of the IGNITE website, contribute to the enhancement of both websites alongside web developers, and produce and edit up-to-date written and visual content for the sites;
  • Graphic design – produce or project manage designed promotion online and offline materials e.g. social media visuals, posters, banners, event staging, etc;

provide graphic design and formatting support for programme and acquisition teams e.g., reports, briefs, templates.

  • Email marketing – support the Digital Marketing Manager in monitoring SPARK’s newsletter mailing list, designing and creating monthly newsletters for external and internal audiences;
  • Event coordination –support the organisation of SPARK’s annual IGNITE conference, as well as other events by providing ad hoc administrative support to the organisation and logistics of workshops/webinars/trainings;
  • Internal communications – support the improvement of internal communication and introduction of new internal comms systems;
  • Media relations – support the development of SPARK’s journalist database, proactively seek media opportunities and write copy for pitches and press releases;
  • Other duties as assigned.

Requirements and Skills

  • Bachelor or Master’s degree, preferably in English, Media, Communications, Journalism or a field relevant to SPARK’s work;
  • 2-3 years relevant work experience;
  • Proficient in Arabic and English languages;
  • Exceptional writing skills and be able to compose engaging and accurate content
  • Strong communicator who works well independently and with a team;
  • Superior time management skills and the ability to juggle multiple projects simultaneously;
  • Excellent IT skills, including Advanced Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and SharePoint;
  • Proven graphic design skills and knowledge of Adobe skills, including InDesign, AI, Photoshop and Premiere Pro;
  • Proven experience in organising events/workshops;
  • Journalistic skills: not afraid of picking up the phone;
  • Social media knowledge and experience are essential;
  • Familiarity with Google Drive/Docs/Analytics etc.;
  • Good communication and social skills and the ability to work in a multicultural setting;
  • Excellent organisational skills and ability to prioritise;
  • Ability to work independently;
  • Eligible to work in either The Netherlands or Türkiye.

SPARK Offers

  • International and dynamic working experience;
  • Opportunity to take initiative and realise your ideas;
  • Full-time employment contract;

Remuneration

  • Amsterdam €1,800-2,000 p/m based on experience

OR

  • Istanbul €1,200-1,400 p/m based on experience

How to apply

How to apply?

If you have any questions regarding SPARK or the position, please visit our website www.spark-online.org or hr@spark-online.org, with Reference: Communications Officer AMS/IST

Please apply through SPARK’s online application platform at https://vacancy.spark-online.org/Tab1/LoadProfileFromVacancy/509 and be prepared to provide two writing samples if selected for the first round of interviews. The deadline for application is 16th April, 2023.

All applications will be assessed on a rolling basis; interviews can therefore take place before the application deadline. However, due to the large volume of applications we receive, we cannot respond to every applicant individually. There may be a delay between the deadline and the moment we contact selected applicants.

If you have not received a reply, we regret to inform you that we have continued with other candidates.

About SPARK

SPARK develops higher education and entrepreneurship to empower young, ambitious people to lead their fragile and conflict-affected societies into prosperity. SPARK is a dynamic and growing, international not-for-profit development organisation with 80+ staff members, in more than 14 offices around the world. SPARK supports refugees in the Middle-East by providing them with scholarships in universities and higher education institutions in the region. SPARK also supports young entrepreneurs in fragile states, to start or grow their own businesses.

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