MEDIA OFFICER (Vacancy Reference Number-VRN MO-AD-26-003)

• Duty Station: Aden, Yemen, with frequent travel to field
• Reports to:  Country Director
• Line Management Responsibilities: N/A

JOB PURPOSE

The Media Officer is responsible for supporting the implementation of the media and communications policy, strategy and guidelines of Islamic Relief Yemen and of Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) in general, ensuring accurate, timely and context-sensitive coverage of the organisation's humanitarian and development work across Yemen.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Has regular contact with the Country Director, Emergency/Programme Managers and project teams.
• Engages with external media and journalists to provide approved, appropriate and relevant information about the programmes and projects of IR Yemen.
• Actively engages in INGO coordination networks, project staff and the wider INGO community through forums, coordination meetings and networking, including relevant clusters and the Humanitarian Country Team where applicable.

SCOPE OF THE ROLE

The Media Officer coordinates and supports IR Yemen's media and communications activities; leads on the branding and marketing of IR Yemen and its donors; takes responsibility for publications, including design, printing and final edit; assists in managing and promoting relevant events; assists in updating IR Yemen's social media accounts; and acts as a liaison between the organisation, the public and media institutions/agencies to ensure the IR brand remains visible and positively perceived across Yemen. The role also assists in developing campaigns and works closely with the Programme, MEAL and Support Services teams, operating with due sensitivity to Yemen's security context and access constraints.

RESPONSIBILITY OF RESOURCES

The Media Officer is responsible for the preparation and implementation of media and communication-related budgets, such as media consultancies, production of media materials, reports, case studies and annual reports, in coordination with Project Coordinators, Emergency/Programme Managers and the Country Director.

KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Planning for Media and Communication

• Collaborates with management to develop and implement an effective media and communications strategy in line with IR guidelines and donor requirements, and contributes to country documents (e.g. Country Strategy and plans).
• Plans and executes strategic communications activities to proactively communicate the vision, goals and work of IR Yemen.
• Develops and disseminates public relations materials that increase IR Yemen's visibility among communities, partners, donors and other stakeholders.

Project and Programme Communication and Documentation

• Plans and executes media and communication plans for each project to ensure quality delivery against donor media requirements, building the capacity of project staff to plan and execute these with decreasing support over time.
• Works closely with the Programme team to ensure the visibility and branding of IR and project donors across all projects implemented by IR Yemen, including designing and overseeing the printing of project banners and signposts, as well as photo and video documentation of projects (in line with donor-specific requirements, where applicable).
• Writes, edits and distributes content, including capacity statements, publications, press/media releases, website content, annual reports and other marketing materials that communicate the organisation's activities.
• Works closely with the Programme team to document best practices, success stories and lessons learned, supported by photography and video, for use in promoting the work of IR Yemen, as well as for fundraising and advocacy purposes to influence policy and practice.
• Works closely with media consultants and service providers to ensure the quality of agreed deliverables for respective IR Yemen projects and programmes.
• Maintains a documentation management system, both hard copy and on the IRW network, and provides editorial support on reports submitted to donors and partners to ensure a seamless flow of, and effective, communication.
• Promotes and publicises events, and assists IR Yemen departments in developing an annual events calendar, ensuring the timely progress of each event.

Capacity Building of Islamic Relief Yemen Staff

• Organises periodic orientation sessions on branding, photography, videography, case study collection and project documentation for IR Yemen staff.
• Organises orientation sessions on relevant IRW media and communication policies for IR Yemen staff.

Organisational Outreach and Networking

• Develops, supports and promotes organisational goals, including message development, social media content creation and media outreach.
• Responds to media inquiries, arranges interviews and acts as a spokesperson for the organisation, upon prior approval by the Country Director or Head of Region.
• Seeks opportunities to enhance the reputation of the IR brand and coordinates publicity events as required.
• Positively represents and promotes IR Yemen as an organisation to external agencies, in a manner sensitive to the local context and prevailing security environment.
• Participates in relevant INGO coordination networks, project staff and the INGO community through forums, coordination meetings and networking.
• Undertakes any other duties and tasks appropriate to the post, as may be required from time to time by the Country Director.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• University degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Media Studies or a related field.
• Minimum of 2 years' relevant experience in a communications/media role, preferably within a humanitarian organisation, and able to present samples of published work relevant to the job.
• Advanced skills in content writing, photography and videography.
• Experience with digital asset management tools.
• Experience managing/coordinating teams, including creatives and consultants/freelancers.
• Ability and willingness to travel to remote, harsh and insecure environments within Yemen, often for extended periods of time.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong ability to write, and to develop photographic and video materials, in an inspiring, accurate and descriptive manner that brings the reader/donor into proximity with rights-holder communities.
• Creative, inspiring and energetic, with strong attention to detail.
• Excellent written and spoken Arabic and English.
• Excellent knowledge of, and familiarity with, photo and video editing software.
• Good ability to work calmly under pressure, to tight deadlines, and to balance competing priorities within a dynamic and volatile operating environment.
• Results-focused, with the ability to plan, coordinate and deliver objectives and targets with a positive drive to achieve results.
• Good time management and organisational skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, content management systems and social media platforms.
• Sound understanding of the Yemen context, including cultural sensitivities, security dynamics and access constraints.
• Commitment to humanitarian principles and action, and to IR Yemen's child protection and safeguarding policies.
• Committed to integrity and IR Values, upholding the highest standards of conduct.