Communications Specialist 29 views

BBC Media Action

BBC Media Action uses media and communications to reduce poverty and promote human rights in countries around the world. To achieve this, BBC Media Action partners with civil society, local media and governments to:

• Produce creative programming in multi-media formats, based on robust research, which inform and engage audiences around key development issues.
• Strengthen the media sector through building professional capacity and infrastructure.

BBC Media Action has delivered a wide portfolio of media projects in Ethiopia. It seeks to expand this portfolio of work, but also ensure that existing projects are delivered to time, to budget and to the highest standards, and in accordance with BBC editorial values as well as BBC Media Action methodologies.

BBC Media Action is part of an international consortium led by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) to deliver a £21 million programme which aims to protect would-be migrants and refugees from unsafe irregular migration through and from the Amhara and Tigray regions of Ethiopia. The four-year programme, funded by the Department for International Development, UK (DFID, UK) will address the barriers to reducing unsafe irregular migration from Ethiopia and ultimately reducing unsafe irregular migration through and from Ethiopia, taking into consideration the most vulnerable groups — women, girls and unaccompanied irregular migrants. The programme will coordinate and engage in high level national and regional advocacy with key stakeholders. The programme is anticipated to be innovative, cross-sectoral and solutions-oriented with strong emphasis on research, learning and adaptive management.

The project will be overseen by a central Project Management Unit (PMU) which will consist of representatives from consortium partner organisations. The role of Communication Specialist will be split between the PMU and BBC Media Action’s offices in Addis Ababa.

Main duties

• Represent BBC Media Action as part of the PMU, coordinating with consortium partners to ensure that the design of SBCC activities is as effective as possible and that project milestones are achieved throughout the inception phase.
• Contribute to the design and planning of project related communication activities, providing support and advice to consortium partners as required and as appropriate, through coordination with BBC Media Action teams in Ethiopia, the UK and internationally.
• Act as the main focal point between BBC Media Action and the PMU, ensuring the effective two-way flow of information and communication between the parties, and that all requests for information are responded to quickly and effectively on both sides.
• Utilizing the relevant formative research, work closely with BBC Media Action Research, and Production and Advisory teams in both Addis Ababa and London to contribute to a Communications Strategy which will inform BBC Media Action’s SBCC activities during the implementation phase.
• Work closely with the BBC Media Action Production team and consortium partners to develop the design and specification of the communication hubs in the target areas.
• Comply at all times with BBC Media Action’s Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Policy and ensure that all direct reports, freelancers and external suppliers are aware of their responsibilities under these policies. Report any related concerns as soon as they become apparent, including those in relation to the actions of consortium partners.
• Any other tasks which may arise through delivery of the role.

Job Requirements

Required skills, knowledge and experience

• At least seven years’ experience in communications with a development focus, with demonstrable experience in designing, planning and implementing communication activities.
• Experience of designing, planning and implementing outreach activities with a strong awareness of cultural contexts and the safeguarding risks involved in working with vulnerable groups.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, ability to build relationships with PMU members and partners, maintaining collaborative working practices between the PMU and all relevant staff at BBC Media Action.
• Strong writing skills, experience writing project briefs, reports, Terms of Reference and other project documents.
• Experience in humanitarian focused initiatives is an advantage.
• Ability to make sound judgments on potentially sensitive programmatic issues.
• Experience of working with vulnerable groups including young people, displaced populations and refugees.
• Strong commitment to – and understanding of – development issues in Ethiopia, with specific reference to migration within and across the country’s borders.
• Fluency in English and Amharic. Fluency in Tigray and Somali a definite advantage.

Key competencies

The following competencies (behaviours and characteristics) have been identified as key to success in the job. Successful candidates are expected to demonstrate these competencies.

• Analytical Thinking – Able to simplify complex problems, processes or projects into component parts, explore and evaluate them systematically. Able to identify causal relationships, and construct frameworks, for problem-solving and/or development.
• Decision Making – Is ready and able to take the initiative, originate action and be responsible for the consequences of the decision made.
• Planning and Organisation – Is able to think ahead in order to establish an efficient and appropriate course of action for self and others. Prioritises and plans activities taking into account all the relevant issues and factors such as deadlines, staffing and resources requirements.
• Resilience – Can maintain personal effectiveness by managing own emotions in the face of pressure, setbacks or when dealing with provocative situations. Can demonstrate an approach to work that is characterised by commitment, motivation and energy.
• Influencing and Persuading – Ability to present sound and well-reasoned arguments to convince others. Can draw from a range of strategies to persuade people in a way that results in agreement or behaviour change.
• Communication – The ability to get one’s message understood clearly by adopting a range of styles, tools and techniques appropriate to the audience and the nature of the information.
• Managing relationships – Able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people.

How to Apply

Interested applicants who meet the above requirements should ONLY send cover letter and CV with three names of reference to [email protected] before OR on August 26, 2019.

Note: copies of transcripts, academic degrees or recommendation letters should not be included with your application. You will provide the documents upon request.

Only applicants meeting the minimum qualification will be short listed and contacted.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities and duties.

The BBC is an equal opportunity employer.