Senior Project Officer - Communications and Learning

Job Summary

As a lead for communications and learning for JEOP, you will facilitate the achievement of project objectives through coordinating and reporting on all project activities and providing technical guidance and advice to staff and implementing partner(s) advancing Catholic Relief Services (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. Your coordination and relationship management skills will ensure that the project for which you are responsible applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve. You will collaborate closely across the JEOP Team (CRS and implementing partners) to create solid content for reporting, success story write-ups, and lessons learned pieces. You will ensure strategic alignment of communications and consistent messaging, creating engaging content and using effective communications channels to reach and provide human interest stories related to JEOP activities, tailored to different audiences: CRS internal, donors, UN agencies. Messaging will include stories, multimedia, and reports as required. You will work with the Communications Manager and the MEAL Manager to co-facilitate technical consultant visits and roll out communications campaigns. This will include content for social and behavior change communications material, particularly around protection against sexual abuse and exploitation (PSEA), safeguarding, nutrition, and youth engagement.

Job Responsibilities

• Write, design, and manage production of creative and compelling communication material – stories, photos, video, fact sheets, brochures, etc. - for various audiences, including public and private donors, local and national governments, JEOP partners, media and others as needed.
• Document challenges, successes and lessons learned for use in donor reporting, including facilitation of learning workshops and events.
• Develop and maintain relationships with local media and help identify opportunities to reach key audiences, and coach JEOP staff in effective local media representation.
• Provide communications support for events, including signage, handouts, talking points, photos, liaising with media, etc., and convene local media whenever a CRS/JEOP event takes place.
• Coordinate narrative writing and complication success stories and lessons learned with JEOP implementing partners in Northern Ethiopia and frequently prepare updated information for 1-pagers and human-interest pieces. 
• As appropriate, support content creation for social media channels and create content platforms under the supervision of the CRS Communications Manager.
• Support dissemination of relevant information among JEOP staff, partners and project participants or other relevant actors related to the JEOP.
• Support the creation of manuals and trainings for JEOP staff and partners on issues related to communications, and media.
• Serve as a communication focal person of JEOP in Northern Ethiopia.

Job Requirements

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Minimum Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Journalism, or related studies; experience in INGOs or UN preferred.
• Minimum four years in communication experience, ideally for an NGO or another organization in development and relief programming.
• Excellent Tigrinya and English oral and written language skills is required.
• Experience in Adobe Creative Suite, especially InDesign, is strongly desired.
• Highly proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and desktop publishing skills is required.

Personal Skills

• Individuals must possess the ability to influence without direct authority.
• Ability and desire to work well with diverse employees and customers in a cooperative and friendly manner.
• Ability to work under limited supervision and deliver high-quality results. Receptive to feedback and agile to changing priorities.
• Must possess ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully disseminating information to a variety of target audiences.

Required Language: English, Tigrigna. Amharic a plus

Travel Required:  40% travel within Northern Ethiopia

Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory:  None

Internal: JEOP Chief of Party and Deputy Chief of Party for Program Quality, CRS JEOP Managers and Technical Leads, CRS Mekelle, and Kombolcha PDP Managers.

External:  JEOP Implementing partners, Donors, UN agencies, Private-Sector Partners, Media, Representatives of other INGOs.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Trusting Relationships 
• Professional Growth 
• Partnership 
• Accountability

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

How to Apply

You should fill the application form through this link: https://form.jotform.com/213631210194545 and attach your up-to-date CV on/before the application deadline January 09, 2021.

You will be contacted only if selected for a written exam/interview. Phone solicitations will not be accepted. These job opportunities are open to Ethiopian nationals only.

CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. 

Qualified women are highly encouraged to apply