Closing date of application: May 14, 2011
IBIS is hiring a communication advisor for Liberia, Sierra Leone and Ghana covering IBIS’ work in all three countries, to be stationed in Monrovia, Liberia. Period of assignment is 1 year from August 15th , 2011 (possibility of extension)
Background
IBIS is hiring a communication advisor (hereafter the advisor) for Liberia, Sierra Leone and Ghana covering IBIS’ work in all three countries, to be stationed in Monrovia, Liberia. The primary tasks of the advisor is to communicate IBIS’ work in West Africa as well as the general political, social, economic and cultural situation in the region to a Danish and international audience. Furthermore, the position entails some programmatic work such as programme documentation and supporting partner organisations in communication work.
IBIS in West Africa
IBIS’ engagement in West Africa began Ghana in 2001 with activities including a regional focus on human rights and democratisation. Currently, the portfolio has expanded to include the following programmes: Citizen Rights in Governance; Education for Change and West African Human Rights and Democratisation. In 2005, IBIS began working in Liberia and in 2006 in Sierra Leone with a focus on supporting both countries recovery from devastating civil wars through complementary basic education for young people who missed their education as a result of the wars. Over the last two years new programmes have been developed in both Liberia and Sierra Leone in the area of education and governance and IBIS is now focussing more on long-term development in both countries. All the programmes work with a rights-based and gender-sensitive approach. Each Country Office, based in the capital of each country has responsibility for policy and strategy development, support to programme development, quality assurance, methodological development and fundraising as well as administration of programmes.
As IBIS works both in the North and the South, accurate, regular and professional communication on the actual situation in the regions and countries of cooperation is crucial and the communication work has expanded to focus on programmes, projects and partners. The advisor has the responsibility for communicating this information to regional, international and Danish media.
Key areas of responsibility:
• To assist Country Directors in the countries that they cover in communicating and branding the activities of IBIS nationally in these countries.
• To build the capacity of IBIS and partners in communication nationally in agreement with the country directors in the countries that they cover. Proportions of this task will have to be discussed with the CD’s in question when several countries are covered.
• To supply HO with communication outputs for specific medias such as articles, reports, photos, video etc. for communication and fundraising purposes in Denmark, in line with the communication strategy and the fundraising strategy of IBIS HO.
• To develop and implement national/regional communication strategies in accordance with the global communication strategy of IBIS DK.
Based on these responsibilities, the advisor will have the following tasks
• Plan and carry out communication tasks directed towards supporting IBIS communication and other activities, in accordance with IBIS strategies, and in coordination with the priorities of the HO communication and fundraising teams,
• Plan and carry out communication tasks directed towards supporting IBIS communication in the country in question, in accordance with the country strategy, and the national communication strategy, in coordination with the priorities of the Country Directors in the countries covered by the Communication advisers.
• Facilitate the integration of lobby /advocacy into the communication work of the counterparts as part of the capacity building.
• Facilitate creation of communication networks with national / regional press; counterparts; Alliance 2015 partners and other relevant actors in the respective countries.
• Facilitate the communication work of the Alliance 2015 partners when relevant.
• Plan and carry out communication capacity building of IBIS and partners in the country in question (including needs assessments analysis, creation of communication strategies, etc.) in accordance with the Thematic Programme strategy, the country strategy, (and the national communication strategy), in coordination with the priorities of the Country Directors in the countries covered by the Communication advisers.
• Facilitate visits of journalists from Danish media to the countries covered as and when necessary.
• Function as web editor of IBIS’ national web pages (structurally sub-sites in the CMS of IBIS DK), as agreed with the IBIS webmaster.
• Communication adviser develops and maintains a rolling annual plan of tasks on a quarterly basis, taking into account the needs and discussions with the country directors and the communication and fundraising teams at HO. The plan is approved by the Head of North Department after consultation with the country directors in question, and afterwards circulated by the communication adviser to relevant parties.
• Participate actively in regular (monthly) Skype meetings with HO teams
• Take part in necessary and agreed coordination with the Country Directors
• Support CO’s in developing and implementing communication strategies in the country
• Advise CD’s on media issues and media engagements with persons and institutions outside IBIS in the specific countries
• Upon request from the Country Directors the communication adviser can provide support to the Thematic Programs, project descriptions and institutional fundraising in order to secure the quality of the communication. In accordance / coordination with CDs the communication adviser can provide advice on how to make the communication work and integral and transversal part of the country programs.
Profile
• Degree in communication and/or journalism
• A sound background in communication/journalism
• Fluency in written and spoken Danish and English
• Practical experience from work as information/communication officer or journalist, preferably experience from working with both written and electronic media in both Danish and English
• Organisational experience and used to navigate in an environment of different professional levels
• Familiar with media, current affairs and trends in Denmark
• Familiar with development issues and the social and political situation in West Africa
• Experience with developing and maintaining web-pages
• Social commitment and political flair
• Ability to work in teams as well as individually
Terms of employment
Begin of contract August 15, 2011 initially for a 12 month period
The terms and conditions for the position follows “Regulations for Expatriates assigned by IBIS”, Category 1, Junior Advisor. IBIS’ salary package for junior advisors: a monthly basic salary of DKK 16,976.63, a monthly pension contribution of 10% of the basic salary and a monthly gratuity allowance of DKK 1,500.00 (payable after expiry of contract). Furthermore, IBIS offers payment of an allowance to cover expenses in connection with expatriation and repatriation, free unfurnished housing, payment of outward and return travel as well as an insurance package.
Application guidelines
We look forward to receiving a motivated application and a detailed Curriculum Vita completed in English
Please state application no. COM.WA and forward application by email to job@ibis.dk
Interviews are planned to take place in Copenhagen on June 14, 2011. Background information on IBIS West Africa to be found at www.ibiswestafrica.com
Closing date of application: May 14, 2011
IBIS consider diversity as an asset and encourage everybody regardless age, sex, race, religion, sexuality or ethnicity to apply for vacant positions.
