Communications Officer

Reference No. IP5 2021/006

A.      Responsibilities

The Communications Officer supports the IP5 technical advisory team as follows:

• Report to the Team Leader, and work in close coordination with the Core Team in Islamabad, and the Provincial Coordinators in the provincial capitals
• Oversee the implementation of the project’s Communications and Visibility Plan (CVP) in coordination with the Team Leader and Project Manager, including publications, a project website, social media strategies, communication campaigns and all related project visibility to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of reporting project activities in accordance with the CVP
• Prepare press releases for the media and publications for members of relevant government ministries, civil society and the general public as required
• Develop and deliver a social media strategy for the project, including running campaigns, supporting the Core Team in creating an online presence for the Houses and Secretariats, and overseeing the Young Parliamentary Associates in their ‘digital ambassadorship’ for the project
• Disseminate regular project updates to internal and external audiences and media, including drafting success stories, newsletters, fact sheets, Powerpoint presentations, and other communications materials
• Act as project focal point on all in-country communications with GIZ Country Office and Corporate Communications Department at HQ by providing frequent reports and updates
• Coordinate and assure the quality of work with external communication service providers (e.g. appraisers, agencies, photographers, copywriters)

The Communications Officer performs the following tasks:

B.      Tasks 

1.       Coordination & Reporting

The Communications Officer will:

• Identify the audiences to whom the project’s progress will be communicated during the lifetime of the project and proactively pursue those audiences in message development
• Identify and establish the data collection tools (online tracking and data analytics) and reporting mechanisms (data visualizations) that enable the project to track the level and success of its visibility
• Coordinate with project management, Core Team, project advisors and the short-term senior Communications Expert to deliver the CVP, including maintaining all training, event and research related visibility
• Review all reports and communications materials to ensure their compliance to EU and GIZ standards, including donor reports, social media, training materials, event-related publications and all other project visibility
• Support the planning of project activities, ensuring adequate visibility at workshops, trainings, meetings, public events etc.
• Oversee the work of appraisers and support the production of publications including editorial direction, quality control, design, production and distribution
• Establish and maintain relationships with media outlets

2.   Communication & Visibility Plan Implementation

The Communications Officer will:

• Support in the CVP’s implementation by identifying and applying appropriate communications tools for various activities and audiences, including training and event visibility, publications, digital content & social media, TV/print media and mass communication campaigns
• Develop mechanisms for conducting periodic data verification to identify gaps in the CVP and enable the Core Team to concentrate on effective communications among its target audiences and wider public audiences through regular updates and suggested topics
• Provide support in preparing project six-month interim reports to ensure that the CVP reflects the overall messaging strategies for the EUD.
• Track public participation/contribution to the Project’s CVP outputs.

3.       Other duties/additional tasks

The Communications Officer will:

• Frequently review field reports (meeting minutes, parliamentary visits, monthly reports, study tours etc.) and other similar documents to ensure they meet communication guidelines
• Provide tutorials or other training measures to project team, non-key experts and other stakeholders on communication & visibility guidelines
• Support in the knowledge management of the project by maintaining an internal database of project related communications material
• Translate reports, texts and material if required
• Performs other duties and tasks at the request of management.

C.      Required qualifications, competences and experience

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in an area related to communications, journalism, international relations, or a related field.

Professional experience

• At least 5-7 years of working experience in strategic communications roles, particularly with projects implemented by national/international NGOs and donor organisations.
• At least 2 years of experience in parliamentary, democratic governance or public policy sector is considered an asset.
• Prior experience managing communications and social media for EU-funded projects is considered an asset.

Other knowledge, additional competences

• Demonstrated outstanding communications skills in written and verbal English and preferably writing and typing skills in Urdu or local languages.
• Very good working knowledge of ICT and computer applications (e.g. MS Office, Photoshop, InDesign, graphic design software; experiences with data base applications)
• A basic understanding of parliamentary business / practices at the Federal and Provincial level
• Excellent social media management skills particularly on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn platforms and websites.
• Excellent writing, networking and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work efficiently and independently under pressure and meet strict deadlines