Communications Officer

Project HOPE is an international NGO with more than 1,000 engaged employees and volunteers who work around the globe, responding to the world’s most pressing global health challenges. Throughout our 65-year legacy, Project HOPE has treated millions of patients, provided more than $3 billion worth of medicines to local health care organizations around the world helped build hundreds of health programs from the ground up, and responded to humanitarian crises worldwide.

Code of Conduct

It is our shared responsibility and obligation to treat each other with respect, take affirmative steps to prevent matters involving Sexual Exploitation & Abuse and Trafficking in Persons, and to disclose all potential and actual violations of our Code of Conduct, which may include Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption, Discrimination or Harassment. Together we can reinforce a culture of respect, integrity, accountability, and transparency.

Program Summary:

Project HOPE is providing humanitarian assistance to the conflict-affected population in Gaza. The current response portfolio focuses on Health, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, Protection, and WASH programming through Project HOPE programs and local partnerships.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The primary responsibility of the Communications Officer is to increase Project HOPE’s visibility and raise awareness of our humanitarian activities in Gaza. This position is responsible for Project HOPE’s in-country media relations and the creation of stories, interviews, and other content that can be used to promote Project HOPE’s response. The Communications Officer will contribute to these efforts by serving as the field lead with the support and oversight of Project HOPE’s Global Communications department as needed.

This position will be based in Gaza. Local Nationals Only.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• In coordination with the regional and/or headquarters communication focal points, develop a communication strategy to advance advocacy and awareness for Project HOPE’s programming in Gaza.
• Identify success stories and news angles that Project HOPE’s headquarters communications team can use for website, social media, and media relations purposes, including interviewing program staff and participants for external comms needs.
• Prepare communication materials and statements to support Project HOPE’s Gaza programming.
• Deliver specialized emergency communications, and social mobilization and advocacy plans, in the event of program disruptions, such as weather events, security incidents, and outbreaks.
• Coordinate and prep spokespeople for media interviews with Gaza-based staff and occasionally act as an on-camera spokesperson, if needed.
• Coordinate with HQ media team and act as on-the-ground point of contact for media inquiries in support of interviews and site visits.
• Build and maintain contacts with key media and communication counterparts to ensure regular media coverage of Project HOPE’s work.
• Advise country office leadership on strategic external and internal communications and country office staff on communication related matters.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, or related area.
• Three years minimum in a similar role overseeing and delivering communications services; experience with communications strategy at other NGOs is desirable.
• Fluency in English and Arabic
• Proven skills in the development and implementation of communication/media products, including solid writing skills.
• Strong knowledge of social media use and tools.
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills
• Ability to develop messaging and positioning for an international organization.
• Ability to elicit and communicate success stories.
• Ability to transform technical information for different target audiences.
• Strong commitment to the humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence.
• Flexibility and adaptability to changes in work environment.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Teamwork and cooperation, including the ability to cope with a stressful workload.
• Essential computer literacy (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and internet).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be mobile in an office environment and able to use standard office equipment.
• Must be able to communicate in verbal and written form and must be able to travel.
• Project HOPE employees may be required to travel or work in countries where working conditions are classified as “hardship.”

Work environment:

• This position is based in Gaza. Given the current conflict conditions, candidate must be able to work in a rapidly changing environment.
• Position will be in resource-deprived environment with austere living conditions.
• Travel for extended periods may be by air and/or other modes of transportation.
• Project HOPE employees may be required to travel or work in countries where working conditions are classified as “hardship.”

Due to the substantial number of inquiries, we receive, only candidates who have met the required experience & qualifications for this position will be considered. No phone calls please.

However, since we are active around the world in the field of public health, we may wish to retain your CV in our database for other/future opportunities, unless you direct us otherwise.

Thank you very much for your interest in Project HOPE.