Media and Communication Assistant- Volunteer

Brief description of the organization

Yazda is a non-governmental, non-profit organization established in 2014 in response to the genocide committed by the self-declared Islamic State (“IS”) against the Yazidis and other communities in Iraq and Syria. Since its inception, Yazda has worked with local and international partners to provide Yazidi survivors, IDPs, and refugees with humanitarian, accountability, and advocacy services in their post-genocide recovery. Yazda has been working in Iraq since October 2014 and operates out of the main offices in Duhok in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and out of the Sinoni office in Sinjar in Nineveh Province. Yazda is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in the United States and is registered in Erbil, Baghdad, the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, and Australia.

Almost a decade following the ISIL-perpetrated genocide against the Yazidi community in Iraq, Yazda is looking for media and communication assistants to support the organization of commemorative and advocacy events, to ensure ethical media coverage, and to raise awareness at the national and international levels.

• Draft press releases, media advisories, and other materials.
• Support the creation and dissemination of multimedia content, including photos, videos, and infographics, for use across digital media platforms.
• Assist in the development and implementation of communication strategies to promote Yazda’s mission, programs, and campaigns.
• Assist in managing Yazda’s social media channels.
• Support in the organization of events: creation of communication materials, managing invites, event promotion, etc.
• Monitor media coverage and track relevant news articles, mentions, and social media conversations related to Yazda and its areas of focus.
• Collaborate with different teams, including Advocacy, program staff, and volunteers, to gather content and stories for media and communications purposes.
• Assist in maintaining media databases, archives, and press clippings for reference and reporting purposes.
• Any other tasks related to the position that may requested by the supervisor.

• Prior experience in communication, media relations or public relations, preferably within the non-profit sector.
• Strong English writing and editing skills, with the ability to craft compelling messages for different audiences and media formats.
• Proficiency in social media platforms and experience managing organizational accounts for advocacy or awareness-raising purposes.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to multitask, prioritize assignments, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Passion for social justice, environmental sustainability, or other relevant issues championed by Yazda.
• Knowledge of the media landscape and familiarity with media outlets, journalists, and editorial calendars is a plus.
• Skills in graphic design is a plus.
• Arabic language is a plus.