Background:
Ethiopia’s Multi-Year Resilience Programme (MYRP 2020-2023) aims to improve learning through equitable access, crisis-sensitive and quality education for 745,997 emergency-affected children (380,418 boys, 365,579 girls including children living with disabilities) in 44 prioritised woredas in Ethiopia
The MYRP, though Seed Funding from ECW will initially focus interventions on addressing the critical educational needs of 60,487 out of school displaced children (30,717 boys, 29,770 girls) in 81 schools, 17 woredas and 3 regions (Amhara, Oromiya and Somali).
A ‘whole school’ approach will be pursued in targeted areas through interventions that will expand access, improve quality and relevance of education, promote retention and transition of learners, and resilience of school communities. School-based interventions will be supported by system-strengthening efforts at all levels of the sector. Relevant capacities of key stakeholders (education sector officials, school management, teachers, community members, learners) will be developed to strengthen conflict and disaster risk sensitivity of education. Key aspects of the education sector (data management, planning, teaching-learning classroom practices, parental-community engagement, school-based early warning systems) will be supported to promote resilience of the sector, institutions, and communities through education.
Role/Purpose:
The Reporting and Communications Specialist will be responsible for leading on reporting and communications in relation to the Education Cannot Wait and the Multi-Year Resilience Programme (MYRP), including coordinating major programme events, leading their design and execution, holding media events, managing digital and Social media presence, producing press releases, organizing major visits, compiling key communication messages to be shared with the donor and other stakeholders accordingly as well as ensuring quality representation of the MYRP stakeholders. S/he will also be responsible for content generating including multimedia.
S/he represents the Grantees values and principles in interactions with staff and external audiences, including frequent interaction with Ministry of Education. These values and principles include commitment to the mission of the ECW MYRP, team orientation, accountability, integrity, and ambition. It is expected that the Reporting and Communications Specialist will demonstrate initiative and leadership, including introducing systems and procedures to strengthen the public image of the programme. It is also expected that the person in this position will also have a deep understanding of the political situation of the country to be able to successfully raise the external profile of the programme and partners while reducing the overall risk of the employing organization. The Reporting and Communications Specialist will also frequently travel to field locations (mainly Amhara, Oromia and Somalia regions and beyond) to support programme events organized by Save the Children, UNICEF and/or the Ministry of Education and their field level programme partners accordingly.
S/he will work very closely with the Humanitarian and Education in Emergencies teams, the Education Cluster and the Ministry of Education Communications Directorate and the rest of the programme implementation team.
Given the emergency nature of the programme and areas of intervention, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and work hours.
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY: Ownership of program communication processes and delivery
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- Develop programme related communication strategies, including parameters for the delivery of effective events and media engagements with government, donor, partners and others.
- Ensure the quality of all communications, including events and media engagements, meet global standards.
- Work collaboratively with the Ministry of Education Communications Directorate to document programme results, case stories, and lessons learnt for programme related reporting and advocacy.
- Ensure programme information is continually updated for all the relevant communication channels used by the partners (Ministry of Education, UNICEF and Save the Children) by gathering all relevant and required information from programme events.
- Train key contacts, including programme team from partners, on appropriate programme communications and reporting.
- Produce quality reports that can be shared with the donor and keep a track record on the reporting requirements for the involved stakeholders
Media and external stakeholder engagement:
- Develop a media strategy for the programme, including identifying key dates and relevant global moments,
- Identify and maintain diverse contacts in the national and international media.
- Produce high-quality, accurate, concise press releases on different topics on the MYRP in general and the ECW in particular.
- Maintain contacts with other key programme partners but also with external communication staff in collaborating organizations, including UN organizations, donors, and other NGOs.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge (and information) of the programme areas and advise the programme team and partners as well as the Head of Communications on how to effectively implement external communications strategies.
Advocacy and resource mobilization:
- Develop EIE advocacy and resource mobilization strategy for the ECW-MYRP and ensure the document is informed by gender sensitive and inclusive data.
- Organise annual advocacy events on the MYRP programme
- Support C4D efforts on the inclusion of crisis sensitive education in sector plans and strategies.
- Builds and strengthens strategic partnerships through networking and advocacy with the Education Cluster and involved stakeholders, international organizations, civil society and private sector to reinforce cooperation.
- Strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Education Communications Directorate on advocacy and resource mobilization communications materials (briefs, reports etc).
Support for external events and visitors |
- Develop guidelines and parameters for running external events.
- Support the execution of major programme related external events.
- Maintain photos, presentations, banners, and other materials to support external events relating to the ECW_MYRP .
- Document external events and communicate as appropriate through internal and external channels (with Save the Children, Ministry of Education and UNICEF).
- Support major programme related visits, including producing background information, supporting planning processes, and facilitating logistics.
- Maintain lists of external visitors and ensure that they have adequate information on security and safety, transportation, and other background information about Ethiopia and particularly areas of programme intervention.
- Document any key advocacy points and messages and bring them to the attention of the grantees for action but also guide the way forward
Strategic Development and Implementation Develop an understanding and awareness of the overall programme communication needs within the country including external communications strategies for the programme. |
Regularly assess the effectiveness of the program communication activities and how these can be improved from time to time
Maintain a database of resources related to events, visits, and media engagements
Maintain a database of resources related to events, visits, and media engagements
Develop and maintain database for all programme communication materials and strategies.
Keep programme communication support materials for use in future activities.
Share summaries of relevant programme media engagements internally within Save the Children and as may be required by the Ministry of Education and UNICEF
BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice) Accountability: Holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved Ambition: Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others Future orientated, thinks strategically Collaboration: Builds and maintains effective relationships with the team, colleagues, members and external partners and supporters Values diversity sees it as a source of competitive strength Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to Creativity: Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions Willing to take disciplined risks Integrity: Honest, encourages openness and transparency |
Job Requirements
Qualification:
- Minimum University degree in language, media and communication
- Training in advocacy, reporting and or humanitarian programming is an added advantage.
EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS: |
- At least eight years of relevant experience in a credible media organisation OR equivalent experience in Communications and/or Media in government, media agency, private sector or humanitarian or development agency
COMPETENCIES Save the Children Values: Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity and Integrity. To meet the value system the post holder is expected to demonstrate the following Competencies on ongoing basis: Leading Leading and Inspiring Others: Demonstrate leadership in all our work, role models our values and articulates a compiling vision to inspire to achieve our goals for children Delivering results: Takes personal responsibility and holds others to account to deliver our ambitious goals for children, continually improving own performance or that of the team/ organization. Developing Self and Others: Invest time and energy to actively develop self and others to help realize their full potential and to build the organization capability for the further. Thinking Problem solving and decision-making: Takes effective, considered and timely decisions by gathering and evaluating relevant information from within or outside the organization and making appropriate judgements. Innovating and Adapting: Develop and implement innovative solutions to adapt and succeed in an ever-changing uncertain work and global environment. Applying technical and professional expertise: Applies the required technical and professional expertise to the highest standards; promotes and shares best practice within and outside the organization. Engaging ( align with Collaboration, Creativity, Networking: Builds and use sustainable relationship to support the work of the education cluster and grantees: Save the Children and UNICEF. Working effectively with others Works collaboratively to achieve shared goals and thrives on diversity of people and perspectives; knows when to lead and when to follow and how to ensure effective cross-boundary working. Communicating with Impact: Communicates clearly and confidently with others to engage and influence; promotes dialogue and ensures timely and appropriate messages, building confidence and trust with others
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More Information
- Job City Addis Ababa