Communication Officer - Disaster Response

About ZOA ZOA supports refugees and internally displaced persons affected by conflict and/or natural disasters. ZOA offers disaster relief and supports during the time of reconstruction. We work together with local people and local communities. ZOA remains involved with conflict-affected people until they are able to stand on their own feet. To further strengthen it’s Disaster Response Unit, ZOA is looking for a communication officer. Purpose of this position The Disaster Response Communication Officer is responsible for information exchange between Disaster Response programmes in the field and ZOA head office / constituency/ donor community in the north.

At the same time the Disaster Response Communication Officer is to support local coordination (UN, NGOs, governments) and local fundraising through the local donor field offices.

Tasks and responsibitities The Disaster Resonse Communication Officer 1.Supplies images and written materials of DR activities on request to support communication and advocacy activities in the Netherlands. 2.Informs the public directly about progress and results of the DR program through external media, website, social media and reports. 3.Facilitates the information exchange and provides information around Disaster Response Operations. Information is exchanged between the field, head office, donors and constituency in the Netherlands. 4.Locally facilitates field visits by visitors from the head office. 5.Initiates, fosters and maintains relations with (institutional) donors partners in country. 6.Contributes actively in knowledge and capacity of the programme management in the countries and head office in acquiring of and reporting on institutional funding. 7.Participates and contributes to regualar (at least) quarterly co-ordination meetings with fellow communication and donor management officers within ZOA to streamline co-operation within the organisation. 8.Represents ZOA in local coordination meetings (local government, UN).

Special conditions and circumstances

•For this position the duty station is the head office in The Netherlands but ability to travel on short notice for longer periods of time multiple times a year is a prerequisite. •Considering the nature of the activities and external contacts high mobility outside of the Netherlands is required, as well as independency. The duration of individual trips are expected to be multiple weeks.

Profile

Identity

•Agree with the Christian identity and vision of ZOA Refugee Care

Knowledge •Bachelor/Master degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., Communications, Journalism, Sociology, Development Studies, etc.) •At least three years practical (marketing) communications experience •Excellent facilitation and cross-cultural communication skills •Fluent in Dutch and English and preferably French •Good contextual knowledge related to the development aid sector •Working experience with the process of requesting, implementing and reporting of funding of large institutional donors (EC, USAID, UN and BZ) for several years. •Overseas experience in developing countries for at least 3 years.

Skills/attitude

•Excellent writer •Strong relationship building skills •Strategic thinker combined with hands-on attitude •Flexible •Adopts a proactive approach. •Is result oriented; initiates but also makes sure that initiatives come to satisfactory results. •Puts first things first, knows how to prioritize, and achieves this with a personal touch. •Is an excellent networker, good listener and eager to learn, striking a balance between mutual fit and benefit. •Is a natural source of inspiration and bridge builder to be able to represent ZOA and her interests and communicate them effectively externally, as well as fostering collaboration with other departments within ZOA. •Is intrinsically motivated and driven, and gets energy from serving ZOA’s target group

Questions

If you have questions about this vacancy, you can contact Mr. John Buijs (Manager Disaster Response) tel. 0031(0)55 36 63 339.

How to apply

If you are interested in the job of communication officer andyou fit the profile, please send your letter of motivation and résumé to miss Koosje Bresser k.bresser@zoa.nl before October 17th .Please make sure you mention ‘ Relief - Communication Officer Disaster Response’ in the subject line.