Communication Officer

Position Title: Communication Officer

Reporting to: Project Manager

Duty Station: Mogadishu, Somalia

Employment period: Dec 2018 (1 year) with the possibility of extension.

Background: 

FCA works to enable people to break the circle of poverty and violence. We are a rights-based actor, a Finnish organization with 70 years of experience, with operations in 15 countries. FCA is Finland’s largest NGO in development cooperation and second largest provider of disaster relief. Our action is guided by international human rights standards and principles. We realise our mission and vision through development cooperation, humanitarian assistance and advocacy work. We contribute to positive change by supporting people in the most vulnerable situations within fragile and disaster-affected areas. We consider three thematic areas as central to sustainable change: the right to peace (R2P), livelihood (R2L) and quality education (R2QE). 

In Somalia and Somaliland FCA has been working under a right to peace thematic areas since 2008 including governance and reconciliation projects and later has expanded in quality education (R2QE) thematic area.

Primary purpose of the position: 

The Communication Officer will support the implementation of the communications and advocacy strategy of the FCA Somalia Country Office, with the aim of increasing the standing and awareness of Local governance programmes with partners, the media, government partners, and the Somali public. 

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Communications Officer supports the formulation and implementation of the communications and advocacy strategies of the local governance project and promotes a client-oriented approach in FCA. Communication Officer will support public information management, including report launches and special public events, awareness and information campaigns, outreach for the local governance programmes and projects, the management of media relations, and newsletter content development.

 Main roles and responsibility: 

• Support the implementation of FCA’s country office communications and advocacy strategy;
• Support the consolidation and packaging of information to better communicate the impact of FCA’s local goivernance work to partners, media and to the general public;
• Support public information management, including report launches and special public events, awareness and information campaigns, outreach for the local governance programmes and projects, the management of media relations, and newsletter content development.
• Assist in the production of short videos that clearly illustrate the work of FCA in the local governance project and in different project/thematic areas;
• Advise field staff on communication aspects of their projects/programmes and guide them in developing the clear messages and identifying appropriate channels of communication;
• Contribute to the regular consolidation of reports highlighting  achievements, results and impact;
• Organize the creation, updating and dissemination of specific products such as leaflets and publications to the most appropriate recipients/audience;
• Organize and support publicity, advocacy, knowledge-sharing and promotional opportunities in support of project activities/milestones in the country; 

Knowledging building and management/Web site development 

• Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country goals and activities. Using this information to write success stories which can be used for the Donor Bulletin, FCA website, key public information materials including the Annual Report, and be shared corporately;
• In close collaboration with HO Communications unit, contribute to content for the FCA website and social media, through writing human interest stories (news items, features), taking photographs, and recording short videos (Flipcam) on FCA’s work with communities;
• Contribute strategic ideas for story themes, photo journals, etc.
• Support Project Managers in reporting the program results to the donors and wider public.  

Competence, experience, skills, knowledge needed           

• University degree in journalism, communications or other related studies.
• At least 5 years of professional experience in journalism or communications (both internal and external).
• Proven experience of basic photography. Experience of video production is an advantage.
• Ability to communicate flawlessly in English, both written and spoken.
• Ability to write emotionally and informationally captivating website articles and social media posts for a broad audience.
• Strong networking skills and ability to work with people from various backgrounds. Professional experience of peace building, development cooperation or humanitarian work is an advantage.
• Ability to extract, interpret, analyze data and resolve problems.
• Sensitivity to clan dynamics and understanding of the socio-economic and political situation in Somalia
• Well-developed written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work well with others and to develop and maintain good collaboration  among project staff, partners, other stakeholders and beneficiaries such as women, youth, religious and community leaders
• Considerable amount of travel is required
• References from the past professional career to highlight the quality and impact of the work is an asset. 

Impact: 

The key results have a significant impact on the reputation and standing of FCA in the country. High quality information material and well-organized public events enhance FCA’s position as a strong development partner, and therefore FCA’s ability to provide the required development support. It will also facilitate information sharing about the humanitarian and development issues with Somali public

 Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing time is 23:59 pm local time.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
• Email or paper applications will not be considered. 

Application process:

Please apply by using the link no later than on 15th of Nov 2018. Applicants will be short-listed and contacted for an interview on a progressive basis.

Female candidates are highly encouraged!

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