Communications in Emergencies Officer - Deployment Roster at Plan International

Req ID: 22703
Location: Nigeria
Reports to: Emergency Response Manager

Emergency Roster

• The Emergency Roster is a database of pre-selected deployable internal and external candidates who have the appropriate skills and experience to support emergency preparedness and response.
• It also stores information on these candidates. The purpose of the roster is to ensure that we have the right people in the right place and the right time with the right skills.
• Roster Members are expected to deploy to an emergency response within 72 hours or once an entry visa is received.
• A Roster Member is selected from the Emergency Roster as and when a roster request is received from one of our country offices.

Purpose of Role

• To deploy in support of emergency response programmes, providing media and comms surge capacity. The post holder will work to raise the profile of Plan International’s programming in the media and with supporters. In addition the post holder will provide high quality comms materials to NOs to facilitate them to raise the profile of the crisis and secure funds.

Key Responsibilities
Communication:

• Manage and / or support an emergency communications team
• Primary comms focal point for National Organisations, International Headquarters and Regional Offices
• Position Plan International as a key player in the emergency response to help us raise funds
• Through strong content highlight the humanitarian situation on the ground, cover Plan International’s response and reinforce Plan International’s advocacy and policy position on the situation
• Plan, produce and coordinate content in conjunction with designated communications contacts in Country Office/RO/IH.
• Produce press releases and a range of compelling human interest child-focused content such as: case studies, eyewitness accounts, blogs, first person account, images, audio, video
• Package and position content for sharing with key audiences including external media, digital and social media, internal and key external stakeholders.
• Ensure all content is available for everyone in the Plan federation to use by uploading all content in high resolution onto the global Media Bank or working closely with IH/RO to ensure that everything is available on the Media Bank.
• Collaborate with the country procurement and logistic staff to create a ‘price list’ of items for public appeals
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of our communications work
• Monitor the situation for challenges, risks, threats and opportunities related to the emergency context that may impact communications and public engagement approaches, messaging and operations
• Ensure our media work reflects a specific focus on the needs of girls and reflects advocacy issues
• Ensure brand visibility of Plan International in the field
• Support efforts for timely country office reports such as sit reps, weekly updates, and donor related materials.
• Develop, maintain and update the country emergency communication strategy and objectives in liaison with the Emergency Response Manager to include key messages, activities, logistics, equipment and other support needed
• Ensure that child protection guidelines for content are strictly adhered to

Media Relations:

• Manage in-country media requests and access to spokespersons
• Act as a media spokesperson or position others to do so during the emergency
• Work with designated RO/IH communications contacts to coordinate, prioritise and deliver media interviews
• Host media visits
• Prepare spokespeople and media messaging/ talking points
• Liaise with journalists/correspondents
• Develop, maintain and update media relations contact list/database
• Support VIP / celebrity visits

Knowledge, Skills, Behaviors, and Experience Required to Achieve Role’s Objectives
Knowledge:

• Experience of communications in disaster and emergency response
• Experience of managing a team
• High level of understanding of media, social media and Information Technology
• Familiarity and understanding of Humanitarian Policy and Advocacy
• Prior experience travelling to, or working in, a developing country in an emergency environment
• Experience as a spokesperson
• Understanding of Plan International’s child protection policy and brand guidelines
• Experience of working with photographers / videographers, and negotiating rates and usage rights

Skills:

• Technical Ability in writing with an excellent command of English – both written and spoken
• Strong photography skills, additional technical skills are desirable, including proficiency in Adobe Photoshop or photo-editing software
• Intermediate videography skills (including sound and microphones, and lighting), additional technical skills are desirable, including movie-editing software such as Adobe Premier or Final Cut Pro
• Good experience of using social media
• Additional languages desirable
• Script-writing skills desirable

Attitudes:

• Committed to Plan International’s core values;
  • Strives for lasting impact
  • Open and accountable
  • Works well with others
  • Inclusive and empowering
• Team player and relationship builder.
• A “can do” approach
• Able to work calmly under extreme pressure and at unpredictable hours during emergency response.