Communications Specialist

DRC has been responding to various humanitarian crises in Lebanon since 2004, working with Palestinian, Iraqi and Syrian refugees. DRC received registration from the Ministry of Interior in 2011, and since then has focused primarily on responding to the Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon and the resulting impact on Lebanese host community. DRC Lebanon’s focus is to ensure that we are able to respond to critical emerging humanitarian needs whilst improve the living conditions of displacement-affected populations and contribute to the achievement of durable solutions.   With an annual portfolio of $12million, and with approximately 200+ staff, DRC is focusing its response in protection and economic recovery (Ec-Rec) sector in Bekka, North Lebanon and Beirut. DRC is also contributing to the evidence base and coordination structures in country through our Evidence Generation and referral information management (RIMs) teams.

About the Job

The Communications Specialist provides overall leadership, coordination and strategic direction to DRC’s communications work in Lebanon. S/he is responsible for identifying priority concerns and opportunities for communications, strengthening the integration of communications into DRC’s programmes, raising DRC’s visibility and influence, ensuring these products are in line with DRC’s policy and guidelines, donor guidelines, programme priorities and are sensitive to the context in Lebanon. The Communications Specialist will also work closely with the Advocacy Coordinator to ensure that advocacy messages are part of communication products.

Reporting directly to the DRC Country Director, the Communications Specialist will engage with DRC staff, beneficiaries, media and key stakeholders in communications initiatives across Lebanon’s humanitarian response.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Communications

• Lead on the development and implementation of DRC Lebanon communications strategy which will broaden internal and external stakeholders’ awareness of DRC’s work in Lebanon, advance its advocacy work, further build relationships with local and international partners, media, donors.
• This includes development of an annual communications and content plan, which specifies monthly outputs and thematic focuses.
• Lead on the development and dissemination of relevant DRC programme communication and visibility materials as per DRC donor commitments.
• Implement the communication and visibility plans agreed with donors in line with donor and DRCs visibility and communication policies and guidance
• Lead on the generation of high-quality communication and visibility materials, especially stories, case studies, testimonies , photographs, graphics, short videos for the use of media, websites and others.
• Produce effective, engaging storytelling which focusses on relaying the voices and perspectives of beneficiaries.
• Create and manage an internal communication database (photos, stories, quotes)
• Assist in the development of communications schedules, liaising with staff to ensure reports (annual report, etc.), publications (factsheets, etc.) and other products are produced in a timely manner.
• Support DRC program team in new proposal drafting by providing inputs for communication and visibility activities
• Contribute to regional communications efforts by amplifying their voices and sharing their products on DRC Lebanon social media platforms
• Plan and manage DRC Lebanon’s social media accounts in coordination with relevant departments and as per country communication strategy
• Regularly visit projects in the field, for both DRC and LINKED partners, to ensure a direct link between program work and communication, and identify and generate content for social media and communication products
• Support Head of Programme or designation focal point in leading (or participating in) regular coordination meetings with the Communication focal points of partners & consortia
• Manage and oversee the work of communications consultants (i.e. web developers, video producers, media consultants etc.) 
• Manage and foresee communications-related costs/budgets under various ongoing projects
• Ensure that all external communications products are in line with DRC, partners and donors’ guidelines and requirements. Maintain an up-to-date document with all donor communication and visibility guidelines.
• Support country management and other programme staff in developing communications capacity including meaningful and safe participation of affected populations in communications.
• Safeguard DRC’s overall brand and identity

Media

• Maintain and up-to-date media database for in-country media
• Support Advocacy Coordinator in development of and distribution of proactive or reactive press releases, OpEds, etc on both an opportunistic/responsive basis and a strategic, planned basis to support advocacy and programme priorities.
• Work with the Advocacy Coordinator and Country Director to develop spokesperson capacities

External Representation

• Prepare background communication and visibility materials for donor, media and other identified external visits.

• Attend Public Information/Communications coordination meetings via LHIF, UN Agencies, or any other relevant fora

Represent DRC in any external meetings for communication purposes or as assigned by the line manager

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have a university degree or higher education in mixed media, communications, journalism, media, or related discipline. Moreover, we also expect the following:

• Minimum 3-years’ experience working in communication on humanitarian issues, human rights, development issues or journalism
• Prior experience working in communications department for NGOs or media, news outlets, preferably focused in a humanitarian context.
• Strong understanding and experience in managing social media for public communication.
• Experience in effective storytelling, which ensures that beneficiaries’ perspectives are at the forefront of external communications outputs.
• Experience working directly with, and in, refugee and/or vulnerable communities, with extensive time spent in the field.
• Strong understanding of the political system and context in Lebanon.
• Experience in photography, videography, graphic design, and/or journalism is an asset.
• Experience of and strong skills in developing and implementing humanitarian communication strategies and campaigns.

Behavioural competencies:

• A passion for communications and humanitarian outcomes
• Creativity and attention to detail
• High level analytical and strategic thinking skills
• Cultural awareness and ability to build relationships quickly with a wide variety of people.
• Patient, tolerant, adaptable, flexible, able to improvise and remain responsive and communicate clearly and effectively under pressure.
• Excellent planning, management and coordination skills, with the ability to organise a substantial workload comprising complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities.
• Strong communication (written and spoken), and interpersonal skills, with experience in coordinating multicultural teams.
• Commitment to Danish Refugee Council values and vision.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies: 

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process. 

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback. 

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation. 

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly. 

Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length: 12 months (renewable depending on funding and performance)

Band/Level: G1- non management

Duty Station: Beirut

Expected Start date: December 2022

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to drc.ngo under Vacancies. For questions regarding the vacancy please contact lbn-jobs@drc.ngo

Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: 2nd of December 2022

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.