Communications Specialist

WHO ARE WE?

The Danish Refugee Council  assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home. The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956, and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

ABOUT THE JOB

The communications specialist promotes DRC's mission, mandate, work and influencing strategies in country, working closely with management teams to identify appropriate methods to communicate to relevant parties.

The Communications Specialist will support the visibility, positioning and external communications of DRC in Afghanistan by producing high-quality, timely and context-sensitive communications materials that demonstrate DRC’s program, impact, expertise and priorities. Working closely under supervision of with the Advocacy and Communications Coordinator and in collaboration with program teams, Area Offices and relevant support functions, the Specialist will coordinate day-to-day communications activities, develop written and multimedia content, support media engagement, ensure donor visibility requirements are followed, and strengthen communications capacity across DRC in Afghanistan.

The role will contribute to DRC’s objective of strengthening its visibility and credibility as a leading humanitarian actor on displacement.

Responsibilities:

1. Communications planning and coordination

• Support the Advocacy and Communications Coordinator in developing and implementing annual communications plan.
• Coordinate day-to-day communications activities across the Offices in Afghanistan.
• Maintain a communications calendar linked to program milestones, humanitarian events, donor priorities and DRC global communications opportunities.
• Work proactively with program teams to identify strong stories, results, evidence, photographs and communications opportunities.
• Coordinate Afghanistan content with relevant DRC Hub and Global Communications colleagues.
• Support timely internal information sharing so that potential communications opportunities from field operations are identified and developed.

2. Content development and storytelling

• Develop high-quality communications products including but not limited to: human-interest and impact stories, program and project briefs, factsheets, web articles and blogs, newsletters, social media content, photographs and short videos, infographics and other visual materials, communications inputs to situation reports and external publications.
• Translate complex program information, data and technical analysis into clear and accessible communications products.
• Ensure storytelling respects the dignity, agency, informed consent and protection of affected people.
• Promote the voices and perspectives of displacement-affected communities and local partners.

3. Digital communications and visibility

• Produce and coordinate Afghanistan-related content for appropriate DRC digital and social media channels.
• Maintain an organized repository of quality photographs, videos, stories, consent documentation and communications materials.
• Ensure materials consistently follow DRC branding, communications standards and approved messaging.
• Support dissemination of Afghanistan content through DRC global and other relevant organizational channels.
• Monitor communications performance and identify opportunities to improve reach, quality and engagement.

4. Media and external communications support

• Support the Advocacy and Communications Coordinator in responding to national and international media requests.
• Maintain and periodically update relevant media contacts and information.
• Prepare background information, key messages, media briefs and communications materials for interviews.
• Support preparation of the Country Director and other designated spokespersons for media engagements.
• Monitor relevant Afghan and international media coverage and identify communications opportunities and emerging reputational issues.
• Support communications arrangements for high-level visits, donor visits, public events and external engagements.

5. Donor and program visibility

• Work with programs, grants and partnership colleagues to identify communications and visibility requirements in donor-funded projects.
• Support teams in preparing project-specific communications and visibility plans where required.
• Ensure donor-funded communications materials appropriately acknowledge donor contributions and comply with applicable visibility commitments.
• Maintain an overview of planned and completed donor visibility products.
• Support project teams in developing donor-facing evidence of program achievements and impact.

6. Field communications capacity and quality assurance

• Provide practical guidance and coaching to Area Office and program colleagues responsible for collecting communications content.
• Support colleagues to apply DRC standards for ethical storytelling, branding and donor visibility.
• Review field-generated communications materials and provide technical feedback.
• Help establish a network of communications focal points across Afghanistan to improve the regular flow of quality content.

ABOUT YOU

To be successful in this role you must have:

Experience and technical competencies: 

• Minimum 3 years of relevant professional experience working in communications, media, and public information preferably within humanitarian and development sector.
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality communications content for different audiences.
• Excellent writing, editing and storytelling skills.
• Experience and demonstrated ability to produce high-quality communications materials including stories, publications, photographs, social media content and digital content for different audiences.
• Good understanding of ethical storytelling, safeguarding, informed consent and conflict-sensitive communications.
• Ability to communicate complex humanitarian and program issues clearly and accurately.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing deadlines and deliver quality outputs in a complex operational environment.
• Strong interpersonal and coordination skills.

Education/qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in communication, journalism, political science, international development or other relevant field.

Languages:

• Advanced professional level in English
• Fluent in Dari and Pashto

We Offer:

• Salary and conditions will be in accordance with DRC salary scale

Application process:

Application process: Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking on the below link. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in the same language.

Note. only applications ( CV) will not be considered.

Note: This position will be advertised on a rolling basis. We will begin the recruitment process as soon as we receive a suitable number of applications.