The Advocacy and Communications Coordinator provides overall leadership, coordination, and strategic direction to DRC’s advocacy and communications work in Ethiopia. Under the direct supervision of the Head of Programmes and the technical supervision of the Regional Advocacy and Communications Manager, the Advocacy and Communications Coordinator for DRC in Ethiopia will be responsible for supporting the engagement of key stakeholders in evidence-based initiatives to influence and lobby for the rights of affected populations on a diverse range of policy issues, as well as the development of key positions and messaging around pertinent issues to advance DRC’s principles and vision. She/he will also coordinate efforts on communications and visibility across all programmes.
Responsibilities:
Advocacy:
Lead on the development and implementation of the DRC Ethiopia advocacy strategy in close collaboration with the programme and field teams and in consultation with people of concern
Develop and update talking points, top-line messages, and advocacy asks for the DRC Ethiopia program
Coordinate policy responses and development within DRC and partner agencies regarding national policy frameworks and practices, UN coordination, funding, and security concerns that have an impact on displaced populations and their access to humanitarian assistance and protection services
Suggest key advocacy opportunities and targets at national and regional levels and develop an advocacy engagement plan
Support the Head of Programmes and Technical Coordinators to articulate priority advocacy objectives and develop programme-specific advocacy strategies, as well as developing messaging on key issues within clusters, working groups, and area specific forums
Draft and support the creation of advocacy products as outlined in the advocacy strategy for use at the country, regional and international levels
Support ongoing risk analysis and stakeholder mapping to inform implementation of an effective advocacy strategy
Ensure that all advocacy messages, documents and strategies are evidence-based, drawn from field experience and assessments, of high quality and effective
In collaboration with MEAL unit, develop indicators and framework for measuring effectiveness and impact of advocacy messaging.
Work with the regional office to support and coordinate on regional advocacy efforts.
Communications:
Implement the DRC Ethiopia’s communications and visibility strategy
Produce high-quality content to support positive communication of DRC’s programs and advocacy activities in Ethiopia, including communication and advocacy materials, digital content for DRC’s website and social medial channels, and visual materials for use by DRC
Coordinate with national, regional, and HQ offices on effective communications strategies and messaging
Regularly visit projects in the field to ensure a direct link between program work and communication, and identify and generate media and communication, as well as effective case studies, quotes, photographs, and videos for donor reporting
Develop internal guidelines for DRC Ethiopia’s communication, public messaging and visibility, in line with protection risk analysis
Provide trainings and capacity building for DRC Ethiopia teams on consistent messaging in line with communications strategy and protocols
Provide review and oversight of visibility, ensuring compliance with donor and DRC requirements.
Strategy and Representation:
Ensure DRC field teams, EAGL Regional Office, HQ, Brussels and Geneva representation offices are aware of DRC Ethiopia advocacy and communications strategies/policy lines and understand and promote its asks
Represent DRC in advocacy-related forum
Support meaningful and safe participation of affected populations in DRC’s advocacy and communications efforts.
Experience and technical competencies:
At least five years of humanitarian experience, including experience working in advocacy and communication on humanitarian issues, refugee rights, human rights, and/or development issues
Strong understanding of the political system and context in Ethiopia, including familiarity with key stakeholders from government, UN, NGOs, Civil Society
Demonstrated experience using cutting edge communication tools and technologies to engage and influence stakeholders
Experience in social media strategy planning, content creation, and community management
photography/design literacy
Proven experience crafting messages in various formats (articles, press releases, websites, photos, success stories, blog entries, tweets, etc.) targeting a variety of audiences
Exceptional, proven writing and editing skills (English) and the ability to summarise and repackage technical information in clear, compelling language
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with an ability to engage with diverse audiences
Strong literacy in Microsoft packages with knowledge of Adobe products is a distinct advantage.
Education:
University degree in communications, international relations, journalism, law, or a related field
