Communications Officer at International Alert

Job Summary

• We are looking for an excellent candidate to further Alert’s communications engagement and visibility of our work in Nigeria.
• Based in Nigeria, you will further develop Alert’s communications strategy and visibility work in Nigeria, including outreach and relationship development with key media organisations, partners, and donors, and ensuring excellent communications for development in peace building.
• You will oversee external freelancers and vendors, occasional consultants, interns, and volunteers.
• You will project manage the production and dissemination of communications content by the team, including publications, blogs, videos, photo stories, impact stories, etc. Write, edit and publish engaging content that demonstrates the impact of and need for our work.
• Ensure the information about our team is kept up to date on the Alert website. You will demonstrate strong communications experience, with the ability to develop and disseminate quality content, target key stakeholders with appropriate messaging, and maintain strong relationships with donors and implementing partners.
• You must be a fluent in English.
• You will practice principles of fairness and equity in your professional career, and you will be able to work together with your colleagues around common objectives.

Role Duties and Responsibilities

Content Production:

• Project manage the production and dissemination of communications content by the team, including publications, blogs, videos, photo stories, impact stories, etc.
• Write, edit and publish engaging content that demonstrates the impact of and need for our work.
• Ensure the information about our team is kept up to date on the Alert website.
• Coordinate with and update the global Advocacy and Communications team on upcoming communications projects and outputs.

Social Media:

• Manage the country team’s social media presence and engagement to ensure our communications are on message, on brand and reach our target audiences.
• Media relations
• Monitor media and social media coverage of our work and inform the country team and global Advocacy and Communications team of relevant stories.
• Coordinate responses to media enquiries and solicit opportunities for coverage where appropriate.

Event Coordination:

• Assist the team with the planning, coordination and running of events to promote our work, including liaising with partners and donors.
• Coordinate the promotion of events via email, social media and other means.
• Quality control and branding
• Ensure communications outputs comply with Alert’s brand identity and quality standards.
• Carry out training/capacity-building for the team on communications skills as and when required.

Vendor Relations:

• Manage and liaise with external vendors, including editors, translators, graphic designers, printers, photographers, videographers, etc.
• Follow the necessary donor and organisational procurement procedures when working with external vendors, including obtaining cost estimates.
• Contributing to the effective working of the team and to Alert generally
• Provide communications advice and direction to the team.
• Contribute to team-wide communications and knowledge management.
• Participate in organisation-wide events and discussions on related topics/projects as and when required.
• Any other tasks as may be reasonably required.

Essential Requirements

• Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills in English
• Experience writing for a variety of audiences and channels
• Experience managing communications projects (e.g. publications, events, campaigns, etc.)
• Experience using digital communications (e.g. websites, social media, etc.) to promote work
• Experience following and implementing brand and house style guides
• Excellent organisational, time management and prioritisation skills
• An ability to work independently
• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work with different and diverse teams

Desirable Requirements:

• Experience in coordinating the production of publications
• Experience in events logistics and coordination
• Experience in managing freelancers and suppliers
• Experience producing visual communications (e.g. photography, infographics, videos, etc.)
• Experience using content management systems
• Knowledge of webinar tools (preferably Zoom)
• Knowledge of design software (e.g. Canva, InDesign, Photoshop, etc.)