Communications Officer at COOPI - Cooperazione Internazionale

COOPI - Cooperazione Internazionale is an Italian humanitarian non-governmental organization founded in Milan in 1965. COOPI aims to help the world’s poorest to improve their access to healthcare, food, and financial security, and to overcome their special vulnerability to wars, civil conflicts and natural disasters. For 50 years of long-term support and constant presence in the field, COOPI has been engaged in breaking the cycle of poverty and responding to specific emergencies in numerous sectors, including Food Security, Humanitarian Aid, Health, Socio-Economical Services, Water and Sanitation, Disaster Risk Reduction, Human Rights, Education and Training, Migrations and Sustainable Energy.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Communications Officer

Location: Damaturu, Yobe (With frequent travels to Geidam, Jakusko, Bade, Nguru, Yunusari and Yusufari LGA)
Project / Programme: Programs (all projects)
Reports to: The Area Coordinator
Duration of the Project: 4 Months
Donors: WFP_MCF
Duration of the contract: 1 month with possibility of extension
Starting Date: ASAP
Employment Type: Full-time

Main Duties / Responsibilities

• The Communication Officer is responsible to execute all the tasks with respect to Communication, Supporting, and dissemination of information of COOPI – Cooperazione Internazionale Nigeria in Yobe State.

Main Responsibilities and Tasks

• Under the direct supervision of the Area Coordinator, and in collaboration with other collaborators of the projects and of the Base, he/she will:
• Develop, maintain and update an appropriate work plan for the assigned area, which implements the corporate communications strategy, in order to maintain and enhance the visibility and reputation of COOPI, and support fundraising activities, ensuring alignment with COOPI strategy.
• Plan, manage, and evaluate communications campaigns that favorably impact the views of the public, opinion leaders, and donors in order to raise COOPI’s profile and support fundraising activities and donor reporting requirements.
• Prepare communications products that effectively convey the desired message to the targeted audience(s).
• Maintain and develop a contact list of journalists and media outlets, and manage the regular flow of news/information about COOPI’s work to the media, ensuring reputational risks are identified and managed.
• Define a social media plan for the assigned area which leverages social media content, platforms, networks, and partners to enhance coverage and support of COOPI’s activities.
• Generate and/or facilitate the production of donor-specific visibility content including, text, photos, videos, and audio for use across a range of integrated online platforms, in order to support global and country fundraising activities, ensuring consistency with corporate messages.
• Track and analyze traditional and online media, to identify trends and/or issues, and propose solutions and ideas to improve the effectiveness of communication strategy and activities.
• Coordinate and prepare accurate and timely reporting on communications activities that enable informed decision-making, evaluation of objectives, and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.
• Build capacity of COOPI staff on all aspects of external relations communication, providing advice, guidance, and training to ensure consistent, quality communications activities that deliver the desired impact.
• Work in close collaboration with counterparts to align activities and ensure a coherent approach to communications within COOPI.
• Contribute to preparedness actions, providing technical recommendations and guidance and monitoring the management of communications-specific risks.
• Other duties as required.
• Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners, and other country office partners/donors on the application and understanding of COOPI and WFP policies, strategies, processes, and best practices on Communications and Public information related issues to support program visibility, reporting and success stories.
• Conduct regular program field visits and/or exchange information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress and provide technical support, take appropriate action to resolve issues, and/or refer to relevant officials for resolution.
• Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners, and other country office partners/donors on the application and understanding of COOPI and WFP policies, strategies, processes, and best practices on Communications and Public information-related issues to support program visibility, reporting and success stories.
• Treat beneficiaries with dignity and apply COOPI’s Code of Ethics and Conduct, the UN Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in the field, including sensitizing Field Monitors and vendors/agents on such principles.
• This ToR shall be inclusive of any other task specifically assigned by the Area Coordinator and indirect supervisor that concerns the implementation of the program activities.
• Profile of the Candidate (Education, Training, Experience, Competences, Skills)

Minimum Requirements
Education:

• University Degree in Journalism, International Relations, Public Relations, Communications, or another relevant field with additional years of related work experience and/or specialized training/courses.

Experience:

• 3 years working in INGO, at least 1 year of which should be in communications and reporting.
• At least one year of professional experience as a journalist or communications/public information officer.
• Development of information strategies and programs;

Technical Skills & Knowledge:

• Sound theoretical understanding of Communications concepts and principles with a broad knowledge of best practices, techniques, and processes and specialized knowledge in a specific area;
• Knowledge of common business principles and processes and the ability to quickly assimilate COOPI and donors’ processes and systems;
• Ability to rapidly analyse and integrate diverse information.

Competencies:

• Good communication and negotiation skills with the ability to persuade, influence and adapt communication style to different situations and individuals;
• Excellent oral, editing, and writing skills.
• Well organized and detail-oriented;
• Ability to work independently and on a team with other Communications Officers and other units

Essential:

• Be professional, motivated, flexible, and culturally sensitive
• Be excellent in communication skills and proficient in report writing especially success stories.
• Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office programming (Access, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word).
• Excellent communication, writing, and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication, coordination, and facilitation skills.
• Ability to work in a team, and establish effective working relationships with people from different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and simultaneously manage multiple tasks in an autonomous manner.
• Previous work experience with INGOs and UN Organization is desirable.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of the local language (Hausa and Kanuri).
• Willing and able to be based and travel regularly within remote areas, where services are limited.
• Previous experience in a similar position

Basic Salary

• COOPI Salary grid (according to experience).

Application Closing Date
22nd December, 2023.