Advocacy and Communications Specialist – Erbil

Local - Fixed Term Employee (Fixed Term)

The  Advocacy and Communications Specialist  provides strategic leadership and technical guidance across advocacy and communications for the Response/National Office The  role ensures the development and delivery  of key advocacy and high-quality communications resources for donor and public engagement; position the ministry of World Vision with in-country and international media if and when directed by the Liaison Advisor; support external communications on a range of development and advocacy priorities; support the operations of social media platforms and engagement; assist in the development of capacity amongst staff on creating communication content; and support internal/employee communications processes which support and advance the strategic goals of the Response/National Office and its core ministry functions.

·       Develop and lead the implementation of the communications and visibility plan

·       Production of compelling evidence-based and issues-oriented fundraising, advocacy and

·       publicity materials (web-based, digital, print and video) for effective donor (including grant acquisition) and public engagement – both in-country and internationally, and in collaboration with other World Vision Offices if/as appropriate.

·       Edit and produce video content and design visual communications materials, including social media assets, graphics, publications, presentations and other branded products, in line with World Vision brand and visibility standards. Contribute to the consistent and timely offering and development of resources.

·       Ensure that stories, photos and other materials are produced to standards of quality required for informing, educating and engaging donors and public audiences  via partnership websites, magazines, adverts, donor appeals, media releases and other communications channels and outlets.

·       Hosting the partnership resource gathering visits/ Media

·       Lead and support communications during slow- and rapid-onset emergencies, ensuring the World Vision Partnership receives timely, high-quality stories, photos, videos, media interviews and other field content.

·       Build communications understanding and capacity amongst field staff, including guidance on storytelling, content gathering, visibility, consent and safeguarding.

·       Assist with translation, interpretation and transcribing interviews interviews and communications materials

·       Develop and implement social media plan

·       Assist with selection, set-up, and running of social media channels to initiate discussions around WV activities amongst target audiences, ensuring content is regularly updated to maintain engagement, raise the page's profile, and enhance its relevance

·       Lead the development of contacts with country-level media; regional media and international media to earn coverage of World Vision. Support in press releases and stories shared in media

·       Support the monitoring of national media and use of media tracking through Cision and establish the overall capacity of NO to initiate and respond to media contacts with required speed and skill.

·       Monitor the external communication resources for correct use of WV identity.

·       Collaborate with Senior Leadership team on supporting key advocacy issues, messaging, and communications channels for public advocacy initiatives. Engage media to gain exposure and credibility and increase public discussion.

·       Provide communications support reflected in applicable regional and global advocacy campaigns.

·       Collaborate with MEERO Advocacy & Comms Focal points  on strategy formulation and implementation of field office plans.

·       Work collaboratively with relevant teams in Response/NO and throughout the Partnership towards realization of Response/NOs mission. 

·       Review and update annual comprehensive and context-specific advocacy implementation plans for World Vision Iraq developed, reviewed, and approved, with a clear implementation roadmap outlining priorities, timelines, roles, and accountability mechanisms.

·       Strengthened organizational alignment on advocacy priorities through stakeholder consultations, revisions based on SLT/SMT feedback, and successful presentation and endorsement of the final strategy.

·       Create and manage a network of freelancers to assure some resource generation is outsourced, in collaboration with Regional Advocacy and Comms  Team

·       Innovation leveraging technology for strategy advocacy and communication

·       Collaborate with stakeholders in office to complete WV partnership checklists and reporting requirements – Advocacy checklists, Advocacy result area templates etc.

·       Support scale-up of innovation and digitization of advocacy and communication initiatives relevant to the context.

·       Support the programme including Coalitions to achieve and sustain visibility and recognition of the RRPI program through implementation of a communication plan, production of advocacy materials, and strengthened media engagement showcasing program impact and achievements.

·       Strategic communication products, including success stories, case studies, and media content, developed and disseminated to enhance stakeholder including donor awareness and support.

·       Collaborate with Business Development, Government Relations, and Technical Managers to develop strategic government, donor and corporate sector engagement communication products, including success stories, case studies, and media content,

·       Collaborate with REALM and MEERO to aggregated impact of advocacy programming in WV and in collaboration with external stakeholders- Government, local partners and consortiums/coalitions.

·       Lead/participate in coalition, consortiums and technical working groups with like-minded child focused organizations.

·       Sector advocacy innovative designs and approaches supporting the Programme to achieve desired changes to child well-being in alignment with field office and donor priorities and demonstrates how programming approach, activities, outputs, and outcomes contribute.

·       Collaborate with Technical Managers to achieve scale-up of WV advocacy and communication models and other evidence-based practices appropriate for the context- CVA, PROTECT, SG.

·       Collaborate with Global and Regional office to develop and deliver training sessions for staff advocacy working groups, and advocacy focal points to improve their capacity on identifying key advocacy priorities, producing high-quality advocacy reports and policy documents.

·       Build the capacity of technical managers and project managers in communication and advocacy using models/approaches such as Citizens Voice and Action (CVA) or any other appropriate approaches.

·       Provide guidance on best practices for writing, editing, and presenting advocacy materials.

·       Regularly draft advocacy outputs to ensure they meet quality standards and strategic goals.

·       Bachelor – Journalism, RadioTv, - Communications or any related field.

·       Demonstrated experience in development of communications content

·       Experience in the production of diverse communications resources such as publications, multi-media, websites/pages, photo and video reports, social media, etc. 

·       Cross-cultural communication skills. Able to travel and work in the field as an essential function of the position

·       Strong journalistic and technical photo, video and video editing, storytelling and social media skills

·       Experience or familiarity with marketing departments is an asset

·       Ability to work in difficult, insecure, rapidly changing, and stressful conditions.

·       At least two years professional experience in journalism or public relations.

Required Language(s):

·       Fluent in Arabic, Kurdish and English

Required travel and/or work environment accommodations:

·       Minimum 50% time traveling in the field

·       Position requires willingness and ability to continue to function during a crisis situation, including during a World Vision response to a manmade or natural disaster

Local Applicants Only