Communication Officer

OVERVIEW OF POSITION

Action Against Hunger is a globally renowned organization in taking innovative approaches to reduction of hunger and malnutrition.  As an organisation focused on ending world hunger, Action Against Hunger is primarily focused in Pakistan on ending nutrition insecurity both by addressing immediate and underlying causes. Action Against Hunger believes that sustainability of our actions, relies on close engagement and collaboration with the Government of Pakistan. Action Against Hunger considers Government of Pakistan as an ultimate stakeholder when it comes to dealing with reduction of hunger and malnutrition in all its form. In this regards, Action Against Hunger consider it necessary that the key stakeholders have profound understanding of the framework in which we are working, be able to provide workable solutions to the government in an advisory role, advise on improvements to the frameworks/policies from a technical perspective and support review of implementation of policies by the Government.

The position of Communications Officer (CO) will be supporting Action Against Hunger in developing and implementing a communications strategy for the Pakistan Mission. The Communications Officer will be responsible for recording, documenting and filing all project internal and external communication. She/he will develop and edit program products for external audiences and assist in developing and populating the Action Against Hunger website along with overseeing the development and delivery of on-site communications training for field offices. Responsibilities of the Communications Officer will include press and media engagement and assuring quality control of all communications and visibility related products. 

This is an Islamabad based position and will require extensive travel throughout Pakistan.

OBJECTIVES

Objective 1

To support in development of communication strategy in line with Action Against Hunger’s Pakistan Country Strategy

Tasks & responsibilities

·         With the guidance and support from supervisor, develop a comprehensive mission communication strategy;

·         Engage BCC and other technical positions in the development of the C&V;

·         Align strategy with required donor rules and regulations;

·         Identify necessary resources required for the implementation;

·         Develop creative concepts for Action Against Hunger’s communication strategy;

·         Close liaise with CD, DCD, PD&Coms department and program department while developing the communications strategy and plans;

·         Stay up to date on HQ changes in Comms and Visibility.

Objective 2

To lead implementation of Action Against Hunger Pakistan’s Communication Strategy

Tasks & responsibilities

·         Lead in the development of key communication materials, such as designing and finalization of case studies, IEC material, human interest stories, Annual Reports etc.;

·         Provide support in identifying, developing and disseminating evidence based media and outreach products for key stakeholders by ensuring uniform language, style sheet, syntax, formatting for the program;

·         Regularly update Action Against Hunger Pakistan website content with strategically chosen content and pictures (in-line with Action Against Hunger branding and communications policies);

·         Provide support in identifying, engaging, and networking with print and electronic media professionals across Pakistan;

·         Set up and maintain social media platforms for the mission;

·         Assist in the development, filing and cataloguing of program documents i.e. work-plans, contracts, meeting minutes and program reporting;

·         Provide program/project specific support, including development of IEC materials (manuals, posters, etc.), as well as short term managerial support as needed;

·         Primary responsible for setup and implementation of archive system for all Action Against Hunger Pakistan communication documents (internal and external);

·         Help resource mobilization related to communications.

Objective 3

To lead preparation and use of visibility materials

Tasks & responsibilities

·         Maintain an up to date and varied store of photos and videos;

·         Ensure correct use of logos including on procured items;

·         Ensure visibility of ACF offices;

·         Maintain framework agreements with printers, publishers, photographers or other visibility related contractors;

·         Prepare any materials required for events in line with visibility requirements of ACF and the donor.

Objective 4

To support in capacity development related to C&V across the mission

Tasks & responsibilities

·         Provide relevant training and orientation to field teams on ACF Pakistan’s communication strategy, including content development training and creating guidance documents for case studies, human interest stories, etc.;

·         Provide editorial support for reviewing program reports / documents to maintain highest standards of written communication;

·         Expertly coordinate with a wide range of stakeholders for arranging meetings / consultative sessions as and when required;

·         Ensure effective coordination within Action Against Hunger wider network especially ACF-HQ and ACF-France for technical guidance and support for any specialized communication and branding related expertise with focus to build in-house capacities/expertise.

Objective 5 (Gender)

To ensure inclusion across departmental work and within/by the team

Tasks & responsibilities

·          Support mission level qualification for gender marker;

·          Encourage inclusion within recruitment, training and promotion;

·          Ensure inclusion within departmental planning, implementation and reporting.

INTERNAL & EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIP

Internal

Under the guidance of

Program Development & Partnerships Coordinator, HQ Comms

In coordination with

CD, DCD, Deputy PD Coordinator; Other Coordinators, Technical Advisors, PQA team, and PMs, BCC, SE Co

Line manager of

N/A 

Technical manager of

N/A

External

NGO/ INGO

NGOs and INGOs particularly those with whom we have partnerships

Donors

European Union, DFID, ECHO and UN (comms staff only)

Government of Pakistan

N/A

International

N/A

Other

Printers, publishers,

REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES

Internal National

Monthly report

Internal Global

Internal reporting on C&V

External

As required

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Mandatory

·         Master Degree in Mass Communications, Social Sciences or other relevant discipline with at least 4 years of overall experience and 02 years in relevant field (communications and visibility related positions) in development sector. OR Bachelor's degree in relevant field with minimum 06 years overall experience with 04 years in communications and visibility related positions

·         Good communication skills, fluent in English (professional English needed).

·         Excellent drafting and writing skills, able to represent Action Against Hunger

·         Ability to write various types of high quality communications material (case stories, IEC material, posters, flyers, brochures etc.)

·         Good understanding of humanitarian/development issues in Pakistan

·         A high level of creative ability including competence in creative computer applications

·         Proficient in MS PowerPoint, MS Excel, MS Word, Outlook, and creative applications

·         Willing to travel to the field on occasion

Preference

·         Good analytical and communication skills and ability to deal with multi stakeholders

·         Demonstrate strong work ethics with a keen eye for detail.

·         Demonstrate enthusiasm in program activities and actively participate in ideating on achieving the program objectives.

·         Proactive, persuasive, and ability to work under stress

COMPETENCIES

(1 being lowest, 4 being highest)

Team work (Level 3)

Organisation and planning (Level 2)

Analysis and resolution of problems and conflict (Level 2)

Adaptability and flexibility (Level 3)

Motivation (Level 4)

Resistance to pressure, and capacity to deal with difficult situations (Level 3)

Results orientation (Level 3)

Effective and synthetic Communication (Level 4)