Regional Communications Advisor - CARE International

The Regional Communications Advisor (RCA) at CARE International is responsible to oversee, monitor and coordinate the development and implementation of CARE’s communications and public outreach in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).  The RCA will provide strategic responsibility to raise CARE’s profile in order to maximize positive global, and regional media coverage.  The RCA will also support accountability to key stakeholders by communicating the humanitarian situation and CARE’s emergency operations in the MENA region.  The RCA will work closely with the global communications team to ensure solid pipeline of updates, content, media messages and increased media exposure to CARE in MENA.

The role holder will support the Region and the Country Offices (COs) as needed on all communications issues and be responsible for supporting the core Communications functions within CARE MENA.  The RCA will also provide technical support to CARE Country Offices responding to crisis situations.

Key internal contacts include the Regional Director, Deputy Regional Director for Programs and Impact, Regional Program team, CARE USA (CUSA) Communications team, CUSA COs, CARE International (CI) Communications Officers and CI Humanitarian Communications Coordinator.  Key external contacts include major media outlets, journalists, photographers, media/communications officers from other NGOs, government, etc.

The RCA reports directly the MENA Regional Director with a dotted line reporting to the CUSA Communications Director/ CI Humanitarian Communications Coordinator.  

This competitive regional position is open to any of our MENA country offices.

Responsibilities:

Liaison and Communications:

• • Develop and amend as necessary an initial media strategy for CARE MENA access to regional and international media
  • Build a clear outreach plan for journalists/reporters covering similar topics as CARE’s regional strategic and geographical priorities
  • Act as the main point of contact for media and respond to requests for information from journalists, members of CI, and donors, including arranging interviews and field visits in support to CO teams

Delivery on Regional Communications Priorities:

• • Produce and oversee the production of written and graphic materials which ensure consistency and compliance with the CARE brand, values, key messages and style guidelines
  • Provide support to the Regional Management Team and Regional Leadership Team on communications related issues

Media Monitoring and Evaluation:

• • Monitor print and electronic media for mentions of CARE and other topics of interest to the organization and inform CARE Secretariat media focal point and CI
  • Actively look for existing media angles and CARE programming initiatives in the regional that CARE can conduct media outreach around and flag to CI media teams

Country Office Support:

• • Work with COs to provide communications training, coaching and mentoring as needed to CO comms focal points
  • Serve as point of contact and initial escalation point for questions about policy, procedure and requirements for CARE communications

Administrative and Other Responsibilities:

• • Support the Regional Director on different external communications tasks
  • Support in conducting surveys and benchmarks that will ensure CARE MENA stays competitive and relevant in communications

Qualifications:

• Master's degree preferably in communications, media studies, journalism or similar field
• Minimum of seven (7) years' experience in a similar role including general communications, including crisis communications and situation reports and communications (on site) in emergencies, with a strong use of social media
• Proven ability to work with data, analyzing, evaluating and summarizing quickly and accurately
• Well organized, self-motivated, and have the ability to work under pressure and in high paced environment
• Proven excellent and extensive IT skills especially in communication apps and packages and social media
• Fluent English and Arabic language written and oral communication skills (writing samples in both languages will be required)