Senegal: COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA OFFICER

COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA OFFICER

Contract Type: fixed term, one (01) year

Location: Dakar, Senegal

Job Grade: National D1

Reporting to:Country Director

Job Ref No: 12578

WHO WE ARE

Oxfam is a global organization working to right the wrongs of poverty, hunger, and injustice. We work with people in more than 90 countries to create lasting solutions. Oxfam saves lives, develops long-term solutions to poverty, and campaigns for social change.

OXFAM has been active in Senegal for more than two decades. In recent years, our focus has been on supporting sustainable livelihoods, promoting good governance and ensuring sustainable human development in the face of crisis and human/natural disasters.

Job purpose

To maximize coverage of Oxfam Senegal’s programme and campaign messages by developing and delivering effective media and communication strategies and visibility products.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Key responsibilities of the Media & Communications Officer include:

· To coordinate all internal communications in the Oxfam Senegal country programme.

· To regularly generate high quality media coverage of Oxfam’s programme and advocacy work, primarily for national media but also occasionally international outlets. This includes collecting case-studies developing press releases, reactive lines, questions and answers and to organize press conferences, media briefing, organizing visits of journalists and celebrities to programme locations where Oxfam and partners have programmes (including logistical arrangements).

· To produce digital contents (stories, photos, blogs, videos) to be used on Oxfam and other websites and to liaise with relevant staff at regional and affiliate levels to maximize the use of the contents generated.

· Lead and assist country team members to maintain a social media presence for the country programmes.

· To act as spokesperson for the county programmes in media interviews if required, and brief other staff ahead of media interviews or press conferences

· To contribute to media and overall campaigns strategy planning for the country programmes

· To regularly visit country programmes to ensure a direct link between programme work and media coverage, and to identify and generate high quality media and communication opportunities.

· To build relationships with media colleagues in other organizations (eg NGOs, UN agencies), to coordinate and collaborate on media projects

· To build and maintain excellent relationships with regional media outlets and maintain a database of media contacts

· To monitor and evaluate media coverage on inequalities, extractives industries, climate change, and other key issues, and to draw lessons to improve coverage, and provide regular analysis on issues relevant to Oxfam’s programme and campaigns work

· Undertake any tasks which are necessary to deliver country programmes across the country as required, including technical support to staff, partners and allies.

· Flexibility to work out of normal offices hours is required, recognizing media is not a standard “office hours” job.

Technical Skills, Experience & Knowledge

Essential

· Minimum 3 years’ experience in a similar position for an INGO or as a journalist, with a proven record of generating media coverage

· University degree

· Strong writing skills, preferably with a history of writing for media, and ability to produce quality communication materials within tight deadlines

· Strong organisational and personal management skills, with ability to prioritise work issues to meet deadlines.

· Strong social media skills (eg using websites/Twitter/blogs) and knowledge of up-loading photos/videos, experience of using online fora for corporate purposes

· Good interpersonal skills and ability to develop and maintain relationships

· Good analytical and conceptual thinking skills with good strategic perspective, able to understand complex issues and information from different sources and present this clearly and simply

· Ability to work creatively, effectively and in an innovative manner and to identify and develop new ways to use the media to Oxfam’s advantage

· Excellent communication skills, in written and verbal English and French.

· Photography and Videography skills, with experience working with Photoshop, InDesign, and other design software and/or Filming and editing skills for short video packages

· Good understanding of sustainable development issues and a rights-oriented approach. Experience with Oxfam or similar INGO a plus

· Able to travel to programme/project areas on a regular basis

Equality and diversity

We are committed both to promoting equality and diversity within the organization and to Equal Opportunities in employment. We believe in equality of opportunity regardless of race or racial group, religion or belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, sex, gender re-assignment and gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy, maternity and paternity. This also includes any incidents of perceptive or associative discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are made entirely on merit.

HOW TO APPLY:

This opportunity is for a dedicated and highly motivated professional with strong commitment to Oxfam's values and beliefs. If you believe you are qualified for this post and you are the candidate that we are looking for, please submit your cover letter and CV to:

https://app.jobvite.com/CompanyJobs/Job.aspx?j=okAV4fwD

THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 26 JULY 2017

Given the urgent need for this position, suitable candidates can be shortlisted and interviewed before the closing date.

ONLY SHORLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED