Job opportunities at African Women Peace and Security Institute (AWPSI), Ethiopia

Job Summary:

Under the guidance of the Deputy Director, assumes primary responsibility for planning, developing, and implementing communication strategies to promote AWPSI’s programs. The Communication Officer will also be responsible for developing partnerships with other relevant organizations and with AWPSI Network to disseminate information and create awareness about topical WPS issues and AWPSI’s programs and activities.

The main duty and responsibilities are:

Program Communications for advocacy and awareness

The Communication’s Officer will work closely with AWPSI Program and Research sections to ensure that relevant program materials such as Personal Stories, donors reports, proposals, factsheets, info-graphs etc. are developed and disseminated to donors and target groups through relevant media and network channels. The Communications Officer will assist AWPSI Program Officers and Research Officers in the proposal development stage to identify appropriate communication activities for the projects.

Media Relations

Develop and maintain contacts, materials and relationships with journalists and media outlets (print, TV, radio, web etc.) within and outside AWPSI to increase coverage of WPS issues in the media (print, broadcast and digital). With the approval of the direct supervisor and the executive director, the specific activities may include:

• Draft and edit articles, press releases, human interest stories and other advocacy/information materials.
• Collaborate with the media by organizing project site visits, facilitate photo coverage and TV footage and utilizing both web-based and traditional media as appropriate.
• Monitor and evaluate the use and effectiveness of media materials.
• Maintain a library of media coverage, clippings etc.
• Clarify issues the need arise

Digital Communications/Social media

Maintain AWPSI’s website and social media sites (Facebook, Twitter and YouTube) such as daily monitoring, posting, content development etc…

AWPSI Brand and Communications

Ensure timely and quality production of advocacy and branding materials such as periodicals, annual and donor reports, supplements, calendars, briefing notes, Human Interest Stories, picture stories, videos, etc. The Communications Officer will develop and store communication materials, including digital, such as publications, press releases and clippings, photographs, audio-visual materials, web resources etc.

Relations with Donor

Develop and maintain an updated list of AWPSI donors and special interest groups. Assist in developing donor visit schedules/brochures, donor gifts and cards etc. Support preparation of background materials, briefs and information kits for visiting donors and high profile guests/visitors. The task includes travel planning, logistics and administrative arrangements.

Events/campaigns

Assist in organizing and generating public support for special events and campaigns to promote strategic WPS goals. Support organization of workshops, seminars, campaigns, events and project review meetings including agendas and meeting minutes.

Monitoring and evaluation

Monitor and evaluate impact of communication materials and advocacy events/campaigns to target audiences.

Working relationships

The Communications Officer will have to work closely with AWPSI Program Officers and Research Officers on a daily basis. He/She will maintain close interaction with communications, research and program staff of AWPSI network, and with entities associated with communications and WPS work within and outside the government, including the local media and WPS partners.

Values and Ethics

The candidate should have high level of integrity, accountability, punctuality and be willing to work beyond normal working hours. He/she should also demonstrate and be exemplary in portraying AWPSI values and ethics. He/she should be a good team player and builder.

Minimum Qualification and other Requirements:

Education:

• BA and above in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or a related field.

Experience:

• At least five years of similar work experience is required. Candidate should be able to work independently – with minimum supervision and guidance from supervisors. Demonstrated and extensive social media experience is an added advantage.

Skills:

• Excellent written and oral Amharic and English communication skills are required. He/she should have advanced working knowledge of MS Office (Word, Power point, Excel and Publisher). Candidates with basic design and layout skills and adept in using Adobe Photoshop and PageMaker are an added advantage.