Media and Communications Senior Officer

Job Overview

The Media and Communications Senior Officer is responsible for leading the planning, coordination, and implementation of Yazda’s media and communications activities to enhance the organization’s visibility, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and effectively communicate its mission, programs, and impact.

Working closely with program teams, support departments, and senior management, the position develops and disseminates high-quality communications products, supports media engagement, promotes donor visibility, and ensures consistent organizational messaging across all communication channels. The role contributes to increasing public awareness of Yazda’s work through strategic storytelling, digital communications, advocacy campaigns, publications, and media outreach.

The Media and Communications Senior Officer plays a key role in safeguarding and promoting Yazda’s brand, ensuring that communications materials are accurate, compelling, and aligned with organizational priorities, donor requirements, and communication standards. The position also supports the coverage of projects, events, and key organizational initiatives, helping to amplify the voices and experiences of the communities Yazda serves.

 

Main Responsibilities

Communications, media and Visibility

Lead the planning and implementation of Yazda’s communications and visibility activities, ensuring consistent and strategic messaging across all communication channels.

• Manage and strengthen Yazda’s digital presence, including social media platforms and websites, through the development of engaging content, publication schedules, and audience engagement strategies.
• Develop high-quality communications products, including success stories, case studies, human-interest stories, factsheets, newsletters, multimedia content, publications, and campaign materials that effectively communicate Yazda’s mission, programs, advocacy efforts, and impact.
• Coordinate the documentation of Yazda’s programs, events, and field activities through photography, videography, interviews, and written content, ensuring compliance with ethical communications standards, informed consent requirements, and organizational policies.
• Ensure compliance with donor visibility, branding, and communication requirements across all projects, publications, events, and external communications.

Coordination and External Engagement

• Collaborate closely with project teams, support departments, and senior management to gather information, identify communication opportunities, and ensure accurate representation of program achievements, challenges, and lessons learned.

• Support media relations and external engagement by coordinating requests from journalists, researchers, filmmakers, partners, and other external stakeholders in accordance with Yazda’s communication protocols and approval processes.

 

 Digital Innovation and Knowledge Management

• Promote digital innovation and organizational efficiency by supporting the adoption of digital tools, AI-enabled solutions, and automated systems that enhance communications, knowledge management, content development, and information sharing across the organization.
• Maintain and improve Yazda’s digital media and knowledge repositories, ensuring that communication assets, publications, photographs, videos, and related materials are properly organized, accessible, and securely managed.

Compliance and Quality Assurance

• Ensure that all external communications uphold the principles of accuracy, confidentiality, impartiality, integrity, and respect for the dignity of the communities Yazda serves, while remaining aligned with Yazda’s mission, values, strategic objectives, and organizational standards.
• Perform any other duties related to communications, visibility, and public engagement as assigned by the Country Director.

 

 

• 3 to 5 years of professional experience in communications, media management, or a related field, preferably within an NGO or international organization.
• Proven experience managing a diverse team and fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively with field teams, partners, and stakeholders, and with teams from diverse backgrounds.
• Proficiency in managing social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, and Websites and experience developing social media content and social media campaigns.
• Demonstrated experience in planning events (in-person, online, and hybrid).
• Analytical skills for evaluating communication strategies and social media impact and developing innovative ideas.
• Strong graphic design skills, including proficiency in tools like Canva, Adobe Photoshop, or Illustrator preferred.
• A strong commitment to ethical engagement and respectful reporting on survivors of gender-based violence, with a deep understanding of the cultural and ethical sensitivities involved in working with marginalized communities and survivors of violence in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken) mandatory, fluency in Arabic preferred. Kurdish will be advanced.
• Knowledge of the Yazidi community’s challenges in Iraq and related advocacy areas, including transitional justice, human rights, and gender-based violence preferred.

Minimum experience: 3 to 5 years of professional experience in communications, media management, or a related field, preferably within an NGO or international organization.

Minimum education: Bachelor’s degree in communications, law, social sciences, or any relevant field.

Required travel: Potential travels to Duhok, Erbil, Sinjar, and other locations in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Interested applicants must send their CV and Cover letter to jobs@yazda.org with a subject “Media and Communications Senior Officer- JV24626“

Important Notes:

1. When applying, please specify the possible start date and Salary expectation. 

2. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Applications that do not meet the minimum requirements or are submitted after the closing date may not be considered. The interview process may include a technical written test.

3. Due to the urgency of this position, the vacancy may be closed prior to the deadline indicated.

4. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the posting period