Adeso NRM-MDG Initiative Project Communications Officer Job Vacancy in Garowe Somalia May 2014

 

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Organization: Adeso – African Development Solutions

Position Title: Communications Officer, NRM-MDG Initiative Project

Reporting to: Communications & Advocacy Manager

Working with:  Programs team
Program / Duty station: Garowe, Somalia
Duration: 1 year, renewable
Starting date: Immediate
 
Organizational Context: Adeso is an expanding and vibrant African based international development and humanitarian organization. At Adeso, we work with African communities who are yet to realize their full potential; working inside these communities to create environments in which Africans can thrive. 

Our belief that economic, social and environmental security is the bedrock of a healthy community drives the nature and intent of our programming. We work to prevent and overcome situations that adversely affect community well-being by: reinvigorating the economy, developing skills for life and work, providing humanitarian aid, and influencing policy.


For the past 20 years we have strengthened rural livelihoods through environmental awareness, training, technology transfer and innovative humanitarian projects in pursuit of a peaceful, self-reliant, and greener future. 
At present, Adeso has programs in Somalia, Kenya and South Sudan.

Adeso is an exciting and dynamic organization experiencing managed rapid growth. It offers sound employment conditions with opportunities for personal growth and development.
 
Position Summary: Adeso is seeking to fill the following position for a 48-month European Union (EU) funded project which started on 1st February 2013. The MDG Initiative for Somalia: Reducing Hunger and Food Insecurity in Puntland Region through Improved and Sustainable Use of Rangeland Resources. 
The program seeks to reduce hunger and food insecurity by improving rangeland conditions in Puntland regions of Somalia. 
The program will improve the state of natural resources management through implementation of land rehabilitation and restoration work on degraded rangelands, improving sustainable use of natural resources through community based range management programs. 
The program will integrate environmental consideration into all economic planning and programming activities in the region and galvanize community support for environmental protection and sustainable use of resources. 
The action will also improve the capacity of the communities to avert resource-based conflicts and to protect the rangeland resources through implementation of local customary laws, establishment of community based environmental courts and by strengthening communities to prevent misuse of natural resources at local level. 
Furthermore, the action will support development of alternative source of energy that can create jobs and reduce current dependency on firewood and charcoal.
Awareness raising campaign branded as “stewardship Puntland” will also be launched to sensitize both rural and urban communities on environmental issues and to instill general public sense of ownership and stewardship of the environment.
 
Position Purpose: Adeso is seeking a qualified and committed individual to join its team as Communications Officer for the MDG Initiative for Somalia project. 
The primary role of the Communications Officer is to facilitate communication flows to ensure that key external stakeholders and Adeso decision-makers receive the information they need regarding the project in a timely way and format that is adapted to the target audience. 
As such, the position holder will manage the day-to-day communications needs of the project and oversee the implementation of the project’s communication strategy, which includes a wide-range of public-information and outreach activities in support of project goals.

Specific Roles and Responsibilities

1. Public information and publicity materials
  • Lead the drafting, editing, and dissemination of timely and accurate information, fact sheets, for requests for information, and other public-information materials relating to project activities. These documents must be written in clear, concise language, both in English and Somali;
  • Undertake field visits as appropriate to collect and produce human interest stories from the field, carry out interviews with staff and beneficiaries in the field and remain up to date on the unfolding context;
  • Provide guidance to project team on EU visibility requirements and ensure regulations are implemented;
  • Manage, prepare and maintain an updated standard information package on the project;
  • Support production and procurement of public communication materials;
  • Manage the project website and social media presence;
  • Work with external consultants for website development, photography, video production and translation;
  • Act as a reference/contact point for Adeso staff in Somalia on general information requests related to the project.
2. Media Relations and Press
  • In consultation with the Communications and Advocacy Manager, carry out targeted information and media outreach activities. These activities are designed to push accurate information about the project to local, regional and national markets in Kenya, Europe, the United States, and elsewhere, through magazines, newspapers, radio, television, public service announcements, and other outlets;
  • Coordinate with relevant counterparts within Adeso to produce and release accurate, timely, useful and well-written information to local and international news outlets;
  • Write and distribute press releases and follow up to encourage and support news coverage;
  • Monitor the project’s news coverage;
  • In close coordination with the Communications and Advocacy Manager, expand opportunities for coverage by arranging briefings, interviews, and tours for journalists.
3. Community outreach / Awareness campaigns
  • Work with radio producers/stations and other providers to develop and implement an awareness raising campaign branded as “stewardship Puntland” to sensitize both rural and urban communities on environmental issues and to instill general public sense of ownership and stewardship of the environment;
  • Work with partners to develop themes and messages for radio programs, and identify relevant resource people for these programs;
  • Oversee implementation of the awareness campaign across 4 regions of Puntland.
4. Advocacy
  • Build relationships with stakeholders in the field i.e. staff and beneficiaries.
  • Collaborate with the Communications and Advocacy Manager to identify and respond to key advocacy issues.
  • Build and maintain local media contacts
Other
  • Any other duty as may be assigned
Skills and Qualifications
  • Degree in Communications, Social Sciences, Information Management or similar;
  • At least three years’ experience in communications and information dissemination within a humanitarian or development context;
  • Proven experience of communicating information to a wide range of different audiences;
  • Ability to review and edit reports and other written documentation for dissemination and publication;
  • Ability to collect information and undertake research under potentially difficult and constraining conditions;
  • Ability to develop and present information and communication products for a range of different audiences;
  • Experience overseeing the design of radio programs and campaigns;
  • Experience of media liaison and media tools e.g. photography, video etc;
  • Awareness of potential sensitivity of information in the context of Adeso’s work and development programming and ability to differentiate between information for internal versus external audiences;
  • Willingness to work and travel in difficult circumstances and adhere to agreed security procedures;
  • Written and spoken fluency in English and Somali;
  • Excellent communication skills.
Application Process
This is a challenging opportunity for a dedicated and highly motivated professional. 
If you would like to join this dynamic team, please submit your application to jobs@adesoafrica.org, quoting the position in the email subject matter, by May 9th , 2014.

Each application should be addressed to the Human Resources Manager and include the following:
  • An updated CV (maximum 3 pages);
  • An application letter which should include remuneration requirements and contact information for three work-related referees.
Applications not including all of the above information will not be reviewed.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 
Adeso is an equal opportunity employer.

This position is only open to Somali nationals.



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