Senior Media & Communications Officer

Around the world people are fighting for their right to a decent livelihood. Oxfam Novib supports them in this. We support projects, strengthen local organizations and campaign for just policies. We do so locally and internationally because poverty and injustice are global problems and are related to unjust economic and political relationships. Oxfam Novib is a member of the Oxfam confederation. As part of its newly established Rapid Deployment Team, the Humanitarian Unit of Oxfam Novib is looking for Senior Media & Communications Officer who, together with us and many others, wants to work towards creating a just world without poverty. Senior Media & Communications Officer with extensive experience in emergency response & preparedness work Job Profile Oxfam Novib works with other Oxfams and with local partner organisations to be better prepared for emergency situations and to provide an appropriate response to those situations where needed. To support Oxfam Novib country staff and partners to realise our humanitarian ambitions and duties Oxfam Novib is establishing a Rapid Deployment Team (RDT), whose members will be deployed in countries where Oxfam Novib is working, based on need for support in their area of expertise. Apart from enhancing Oxfam's preparedness and response work, the RDT will contribute to organisation-wide capacity and profile development. As a Media & Communication officer you will be one of the RDT members. The RDT reports to the Manager of the Humanitarian Unit at Oxfam Novib's head office in The Hague, but during assignments in the field to the country based line manager. The media & communication officer will have functional reporting-lines to the Oxfam Novib Media coordinator and will work closely together with Oxfam media staff in the country of assignment or Oxfam regional media officers. You will work abroad most of the year and have to be willing to travel and/or move on short (24 hours) notice as required. This is an unaccompanied position. Key Responsibilities In case of an emergency-assignment the post holder will ensure a comprehensive media response, including social media, and produce content and audiovisual materials for web-and media use. Additionally, his or her role will be to develop media and communication response- capacity in emergency prone countries and with partners. Terms of Reference will be negotiated and agreed with relevant parties, prior to deployment and or revised in the early stages of the deployment. This will include: Response delivery in emergency context Drive media relations on behalf of the whole of Oxfam. Focal point for media enquiries in the country. Update and instruct all Oxfam media officers with latest information and talking points. Collect media materials and actively engage in communication on social media. Identify, and coach (multilingual) spokespeople, including partners, or act as a spokesperson on the ground. Develop and implement a comprehensive media and communications strategy, including social media, as part of the overall Oxfam response in the country or region. Ensure media & communication work is done within agreed Oxfam-brand and media policies and develop brand risk & opportunity assessment and strategies. Identify opportunties to gain media coverage. Produce regular press releases and reports to the media. Manage multiple internal and external sources of information and produce appropriate and timely reports to internal (Oxfam) and external audiences (the public in affected countries, in Oxfam home countries, partners and other stakeholders). Depending on scale of emergency and Oxfam repsonse, lead a Oxfam Novib or inter-Oxfam media & communications team. Participate in relevant working groups and task forces within Oxfam International and externally (UN, government, civil society). Enhancing capacity of Oxfam Novib and partners humanitarian capacities Contribute to the integration of media and communication aspects in the development and implementation of the Oxfam humanitarian preparedness strategies/contingency plans and in country humanitarian investment plans. Contribute to capacity building of Oxfam Novib field offices in relation to media and communication work and planning. Contribute to building media & communications capacity of partners. Policy development & learning Contribute to further development of Oxfam (Novib) humanitarian policies. Document experiences and draw lessons learnt. Participate in assessments, audits, monitoring & evaluation missions. Other suitable tasks as assigned.

Functie-eisen

Skills and Competence (Post) graduate degree in journalism and or communications (undergraduate degree plus relevant overseas experience may substitute, but qualification will not substitute for experience). At least 5-10 years of practical experience in international media & comms work in emergency response situations (relief & rehabilitation) in more than one country (preferably countries where Oxfam Novib works), with a mature understanding of context, dilemmas, challenges and ways of working. Good analytical and planning skills and able to analyse programming risks from a brand perspective. Knowledge and practical experience of general humanitarian standards and principles such as Sphere Standards, HAP, the People in Aid Code and the Red Cross Code of Conduct. Understanding of main programming issues in WASH and Emergency Food Security / Vulnerable Livelihoods. An good understanding of gender and diversity in humanitarian crisis contexts, and proven commitment to incorporating these concepts in your work. Experience in or strong affinity with working with and supporting local NGO partners • Ability to work in a variety of teams and to effectively support and empower Oxfam. Novib field staff and partners in a wide variety of cultural contexts using methods such as mentoring, coaching, accompaniment, training and advice. Excellent communication and interpersonal and team working skills, both written and spoken. Fluency in English, as well as working knowledge of at least one other language (preferably French or Portuguese). Willingness to travel at short notice, often in difficult circumstances and availability to typically work between 6 weeks to 6 months in complex situations and difficult locations. Knowledge and experience of working with disaster risk reduction, preparedness and development issues is an asset. Location Most time of the year, you will be deployed in countries where Oxfam Novib is involved in humanitarian programming or preparations. Your residence (in between deployments) can be in any of the countries/cities where Oxfam Novib has an office and where an international airport is nearby (at the moment: The Hague, Nairobi, Islamabad, Niamey and Jerusalem).In the near future: Dakar, Hanoi, Salary We offer a maximum salary of € 3.941,- gross a month. Other benefits are available and will be discussed during the recruitment process. Application Procedure Are you interested? Send your application before 28 July, 2011 in writing including a motivation and curriculum vitae and mentioning reference number 5-077 to jobs@oxfamnovib.nl, addressed to Mrs. Stijn Sas, HR Consultant.