Communications and Advocacy Officer at iMMAP

Length of Contract: 1st June 2017 to 30th September 2017 (with possibility of extension based on funding availability and performance)
Travel: With possible travel to Maiduguri

Background

• iMMAP has started a program to support the response to the ongoing crisis in Nigeria by strengthening the Information Management capacity of clusters' members in their response; advance the mechanism for regularly identifying needs of populations; and to provide a better data to the inter-coordination mechanism led by UN-OCHA.
• The target beneficiaries of this program are humanitarian partners (which are all sectors members) and the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs [UNOCHA] in its inter-cluster support role.

Purpose of the Position

• The Communications and Advocacy Officer will report directly to iMMAP program manager in Nigeria, and will be responsible for increasing iMMAP's internal and external communications, visibility and raise awareness of the organization’s mission and accomplishments.
• The Communications Officer is responsible for developing and maintaining iMMAP's communications activity.
• The Communications and advocacy Officer will support the work of the Joint/cross sectorial analysis with current clusters supported by iMMAP in Nigeria humanitarian response. This will include producing narrative, infographics as well as other visuals to support monthly newsletters and other iMMAP publications.
• In addition, the staff member will liaise closely with iMMAP Information Management Officers seconded to 9 UN agencies (sector leads) to disseminate IM products/analysis across multiple channels, including print, social, and digital media.

Role

• iMMAP Communication/Advocacy Officer will facilitate information sharing and elaborating on IM deliverables by sectors (monthly newsletter, periodic publications, etc).
• Under direct supervision and guidance of iMMAP program manager, the following are among responsibilities of Communication/Advocacy Officer:
  • Help better understand the impact of iMMAP program and how it contributes to a better coordination and effectiveness of the response;
  • Highlight cross-sectorial analysis/work undertaken, promote discussion around cross-cutting issues and bridge IM gaps between sectors;
  • Help further disseminate to the donor community and other stakeholders products and information on achievements of iMMAP program in the Nigeria.

Key Responsibilities, Tasks & Outputs
Communications and Advocacy:

• Develop clear, standard communication/dissemination channels to partners and stakeholders;
• Design a communication plan for the iMMAP publications, including timelines, targeted audience and suggest production medium (including editorial calendar);
• Create clear documentations on iMMAP services in the country;
  • Develop contents and design for iMMAP monthly newsletter;
  • Enhance contents of iMMAP Nigeria products;
• Manage iMMAP publications in the country including requests for contributions from partners and any other design-related tasks that require support;
• Produce graphs and visuals to be included in iMMAP publication products;
• Liaise with iMMAP focal points/staff to coordinate the information collection on content of publications as well as dissemination of publications;
• Write feature stories, fact sheets and opinion pieces in English for use in dissemination channels outlets;
• Identify and pursue media opportunities, including preparation and dissemination of press releases;
• Proposes iMMAP social media accounts and design a plan for their operation, development and expansion. The aim is to increase social media presence;
• Assist in the development and implementation of in-house creative multimedia content in various formats: online photo galleries, infographics, animations, graphs and document layout among others.
• Closely coordinate and collaborate with all iMMAP IMOs in the country, on collating information, creating visuals, success stories and knowledge sharing products;
• Humanitarian stakeholders, including UN sector leads, international NGOs, media, donors, as well as other stakeholders in recovery, resilience and development.
• Regular communications products (monthly newsletter, publications) as per the position’s roles and responsibilities;
• Clear communication channels and distribution list;
• Dissemination/communications plans for specific products.

Critical Interfaces:

• Closely coordinate and collaborate with all iMMAP IMOs in the country, on collating information, creating visuals, success stories and knowledge sharing products;
• Humanitarian stakeholders, including UN sector leads, international NGOs, media, donors, as well as other stakeholders in recovery, resilience and development.

Outputs:

• Regular communications products (monthly newsletter, publications) as per the position’s roles and responsibilities;
• Clear communication channels and distribution list;
• Dissemination/communications plans for specific products.

Requirements

• Relevant University Degree or equivalent experience, preferably in Design, Journalism, Information Management or Communications;
• At least 3 years of relevant work experience;
• Experience in the humanitarian sector and/or recovery and resilience is highly desirable;
• Experience with designing and creating easy-to-use templates for a range of print and digital media;
• Experience with creating infographics to clearly communicate concepts, data and processes to non-technical audiences;
• Experience with producing information and communication outputs for a wide range of audiences, including donors, humanitarian organisations and the public;
• Experience in interacting with communication outlets.

Competencies
Professional Competencies:
Generic professional competencies:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English (professional level fluency)
• Solid skills in Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat, In-design and Illustrator, as well as Word, PowerPoint and Excel;
• Ability to understand and adapt to complex and dynamic situations;
• Ability to work under pressure;
• Takes initiatives, manages own use of time and is self-motivating;
• Proven ability to work in teams;

Context Related Skills, Knowledge and Experience:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English (professional level fluency);
• Solid skills in Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat, In-design and Illustrator, as well as Word, PowerPoint and Excel;

Behavioral Competencies:

• Ability to understand and adapt to complex and dynamic situations;
• Ability to work under pressure;
• Takes initiatives, manages own use of time and is self-motivating;
• Proven ability to work in teams;
• Flexible and creative.