Regional Communications Specialist

About DRC

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC), founded in Denmark in 1956, is Denmark’s largest and the world’s leading non-profit, independent, rights-based refugee organisation. Our vision is to assist communities affected by displacement, protecting them from harm, safeguarding their legal rights, and empowering them towards a better future.

DRC East Africa & Great Lakes (EAGL) operates in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda in order to prevent displacement, support communities on the move and help people achieve durable solutions. In addition to its programmatic response, DRC supports initiatives focusing on mixed migration, durable solutions and borderlands, as well as advocacy and policy initiatives related to the displacement agenda at national, regional and global levels.

The overall purpose of the role:

Reporting directly to the Regional Advocacy and Communications Manager, the Regional Communications Specialist is part of the Regional Advocacy and Communications Unit and will be responsible for pushing forward the implementation of DRC EAGL’s communication strategy and further develop DRC’s communications work.

The Regional Communications Specialist will be responsible for leading on and supporting the design and delivery of external and internal communications products for DRC EAGL and supporting country offices in the region in their communications work. This will include the development of a range of products to reach identified targets including (but not limited to) the donor community, public in donor countries, public in the region, decision-makers in the region and globally, and staff across the organisation.

Responsibilities

Strategic communications and development of communications products

• Collect case study stories, photos, and videos from DRC programmes across the EAGL region as part of regional communications initiatives and to support country programmes where necessary, including through regular visits to DRC operations. Ensure that approaches to informed consent and ‘do no harm’ approaches to communications are followed.
• Ensure that the Regional Communication Strategy is developed, reviewed, updated, and monitored as necessary, and aligns with relevant global and regional strategies.
• Design factsheets and regional programme profiles in support of advocacy, business development, and external representation engagements.
• Support the Business Development Coordinator in the design of outward-facing products, including concept notes and proposals, ensuring they all adhere to branding guidelines.
• Commission consultants where necessary to provide technical expertise or additional capacity on regional communications initiatives and manage the consultancy contracts.
• Adapt content to be shared across multiple different styles of external communication e.g. long-form blog posts and short-form social media channels
• Lead and otherwise contribute to the development of communications standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Monitor how communications products are engaged with and utilise feedback to adapt future communications initiatives.
• Ensure that visibility requirements linked to regional products are met; where regional projects involve working with partner organisations, ensure that partners are equitably included in design and delivery of communications strategies and work; and are promoted equally alongside DRC.
• Ensure there is appropriate age and gender awareness and considerations in all DRC EAGL communications.
• Ensure that DRC brand guidelines are followed across all DRC EAGL communications, including ensuring all country programmes are familiar with and following brand guidelines.
• Build solid relationships with the media and handle media requests.
• Regularly update DRC intranet with content from DRC EAGL**.**

Support to country programmes.

• Regularly engage with communications leads in DRC country programmes across the EGAL region to provide ad-hoc support, support in the development of communications strategies, and identify training needs.
• Support country programmes in providing communications capacity strengthening to national and local organisations and ensuring that communications strategies are co-designed equitably with partner organisations.
• Ensure that country programmes are effectively utilising funds for visibility contained with programme grants, ensuring they are put to strategic use in support of communications objectives.
• Ensure that all DRC sign-off procedures are followed.
• Where necessary and requested, provide additional support to country offices during significant communications moments e.g. the organization of public events

About you

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s 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: You act in line with our vision and values.

Experience and technical competencies:

• A minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience in communication, journalism, project or programme management, campaign management and advocacy within INGO or NGO sector
• Bachelor’s degree in communication, Journalism, Public Relations and Advocacy.
• Master’s degree in communication, public relations, journalism (print, broadcast, media) or social sciences (human rights, gender/women’s studies, international development) or a related field would be an added advantage.
• Relevant experience of delivering a range of communications products, including physical and online content. Desirable experience working in the aid sector.
• Demonstrated Experience in generating content and storytelling with an understanding of the protection risks and ‘do no harm’ approaches and ability to capture programmes impact through photography and video and share via relevant platforms.
• Have experience and hands on knowledge on planning and designing of communication activities and communication media (print or electronic or social media).
• Excellent oral, written and copyediting skills and demonstrated ability to write and develop strong communication and advocacy materials.
• Experience in photography and handing a professional camera and accessories.
• A great storyteller and content creator with the
• Expertise on computers, graphics designing and MS Office software packages, and English composing and typing skill in computer.
• Willingness to travel to all project locations.
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign).

Behavioural competencies:

• A passion for communications and humanitarian outcomes.
• Good 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, 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 comprised of 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.

Conditions

Contract: Until end of December 2024 subject to funding and performance. Salary and other conditions are offered by DRC’s Terms of Employment for National Staff; Employment band -Non-Management G1

Availability: 1st April 2024

Duty station: This position is based in Nairobi Regional Office

Reporting Line: Regional Advocacy and Communications Manager

Providing equal opportunities, we are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, age, ability, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other factor. At DRC we celebrate diversity and appreciate our employees for the people they are and their unique skills, backgrounds, and perspectives. We encourage all interested candidates to apply.

Promoting high standards: DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP, and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct about DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. DRC conducts thorough background checks as part of the recruitment process