Communications Specialist At International Justice Mission

International Justice Mission (IJM) is the global leader in protecting vulnerable people from violence around the world. Our global team of over 1,200 professionals are at work in 33 offices. Together, we are catalyzing a global revolution that will rescue millions, protect half a billion, and make justice unstoppable

The capacity building model of criminal justice system transformation implemented by IJM includes individual support for survivors, support for government initiatives and jointly proposing policy changes to strengthen criminal justice systems (CJS) to respond effectively to human trafficking.

The Need

International Justice Mission (IJM) is seeking a talented, passionate, professional, who is highly motivated to use their communications skills and experience to develop and distribute compelling story content and key messages that amplify the voices of survivors of human trafficking, to impactfully call for action to end human trafficking.

The Communication Specialist will lead the IJM (HUB) European Cross Border team to develop and implement an innovative program communications strategy as an integral part of a global, regional and European activation strategy and advocacy plan that rallies actors within the formal justice system, traditional, political, government duty bearers and religious structures to action in the protection of survivors in human trafficking in Europe. The Communication Specialist works closely with all regional offices and function managers.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Development & Implementation

• Design, plan and lead the implementation of IJM European Cross Border Program’s Communications Strategy and Media Engagement .
• Participate in all ongoing program design, redesign, and analysis efforts, identifying communications and media strategies to strengthen the overall impact of the program.
• Develop media and communication plans for key advocacy cases and ensure the relevant case studies are covered by media;
• Track the Communications and Media Engagement Plan, adapting to emerging trends that impact the program theory of change and overall program activities.
• Work with program leads, partners and other stakeholders to develop survivor stories to be used for awareness creation, behavior change and social demand for an end to human trafficking.
• Manage all social media platforms for IJM European Cross Border Program ensuring innovative content, consistent messaging and branding, optimal posting schedule, and constituency engagement metrics which also attends to security concerns and the protection of staff and clients.
• Manage all communications and media required for grant-specific projects in line with donor requirements.

Networking & Partnership:

• Establish, maintain and strengthen strategic relationships with external stakeholders, local and international media representatives and journalists to drive positive media coverage through proactive and innovative approaches including press releases and creative media events that is survivor-informed.
• Prepare media briefs, develop external communication to media to sustain positive media engagement while sharing critical news pieces within the organization on timely basis;
• Ensure the successful tracking of media mentions for the IJM European Cross Border Program and key partners, and other significant events relating to protection of survivors of human trafficking, as well as analyzing trends and impact;
• Develop and sustain a media (mainstream and social media) information – education campaign on human trafficking through various regional contexts;
• Update media contact list/database for both local and international media;
• Work with IJM regional office Africa & Europe and global team to plan and execute storytelling projects for use by advancement team.
• Ensure that media messages and media interactions are conducted in line with the highest professional standards and comply with existing European laws, professional ethics and IJM’s policies and procedures.
• Build a civil society network of communications and media personnel for joint messaging and ensure consistency and reinforcement of partner messages on trafficking in human beings throughout the region;
• Identify quality vendors and contractors to provide printing, photography, graphic design and video support as needed for IJM European Cross Border projects.

Policies and Procedures

• Prepare and keep updated a Communications Memo for IJM European Cross Border Program and IJM Global on the Communications Strategy for the European Cross Border program.

Communication:

• Under the guidance of the HUB Director, manage IJM European Cross Border Program internal and external communications;
• Contextualize survivor-informed messaging for target audiences; from professional networks, government officials, religious and cultural and traditional leaders, survivors and mass media consumption to increase public awareness of trafficking in person;
• Prepare and develop communication materials to support media, policymakers, and constituency (religious, cultural, traditional and survivor groups) engagement, including key messaging briefs, digital and other media types, newsletters and publications;
• Lead video and photo documentation of IJM European Cross Border Program office activities and manage the communication’s clients and staff photo and video database;
• Develop stories to activate IJM’s audiences locally and globally (creating content, proactively and reactively pitching ideas, fact checking);
• Inform IJM European HUB leadership of communication risks, and take a lead role in local crisis communications, including drafting messaging and keeping the global communications team informed of developments; and

Training and Development:

• Identify, develop and train a network of communication and media professionals that are trauma-informed and use their influence and voice to highlight the situation of trafficking in person in Europe; and
• Organize journalists and media cluster meetings regularly and provide all year-round media coverage of activities organized by IJM and partners to ensure a strong coalition of the media and partners.

Documentation, Reporting & Data Management

• Documentation of the success of the HUB Office work including case studies, success stories and best practices and collaborate with leads and supporting them to develop strategies for when and what to publish.
• Generate a monthly European media reporting trends on trafficking in person and analyze emerging themes and trends to inform program strategy and response.
• Support program teams in review of appropriate and relevant IEC materials for use by the HUB office and work with outcome leads to develop position papers, policy briefs, presentations and materials for presentation in international, regional and HUB conferences e.g. compendiums, best practices documents, research fact sheets & briefs.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in media, journalism, communications, broadcasting or related field.
• At least four years’ relevant experience in media broadcasting, public relations or communications (experience working in media reporting within the justice sector preferred);
• Strong experience in development, analysis and implementation of communication and media strategies, including to affect public opinion, and tracking of media trends;
• Demonstrated active involvement in development of messaging for social media channels (including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Blogging, Twitter, and Snap Chat) with verifiable digital presence;
• Experience developing and managing social media publishing and monitoring software;
• Proficient in group facilitation, with demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with partners, staff and colleagues with a high level of tact, diplomacy and confidentiality;
• Demonstrated ability to respond effectively and with an appropriate degree of urgency to the needs of a dynamic team, internally and externally;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Romanian languages;
• Valid driving license
• Computer literate – highly proficient in Microsoft Office programs and publishing software packages.

Critical Qualities:

• Proven ability to present complex data and information in a clear and compelling manner to a wide range of stakeholders.
• Experience with Adobe Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) or similar program.
• Exceptional expertise in photography and videography;
• Fluency in English and Romanian languages, with excellent writing and speaking in both.
• Computer literate with proficiency in MS Word and Outlook.
• Exceptional organization skills and attention to detail
• Exceptional ability to work independently and autonomously
• Passionate commitment to IJM’s mission and values including humility and a servant leader.
• Professional in demeanor, appearance, writing and oral communication.
• Works well under stress with a sustained positive attitude.
• Exceptionally high level of honesty and integrity.
• Intelligent, organized, creative and proactive problem solver.
• Ability to cooperate effectively in a multi-cultural environment

Location: This position is based at IJM Romania in Bucharest and reports to the HUB Director (full time 40h/week). The postholder must have and be able to maintain the right to work in Romania