Italy: Communications Director

Organisational Context

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is an international non-governmental organisation with a mission to accompany, serve, and advocate for the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people. The organisation was founded in November 1980 and has a presence in over 45 countries. JRS undertakes services at national and regional levels with the support and guidance of an international office in Rome. The style of JRS service is human and spiritual, working in situations of greatest need, seeking the long-term well-being of refugees and displaced people, while not neglecting their immediate or urgent needs.

Operational Context

The International Communications Director is responsible for leading the development and implementation of the Jesuit Refugee Service communications strategy, including the development of policies and procedures designed to facilitate coherent institutional branding. The role of the Director is to promote JRS target audiences to take action, give a voice to refugees, support JRS advocacy activities and promote awareness of key migration-related issues. Reporting directly to the International Director, the Communications Director works closely with the Advocacy Director, the Development Director, Fundraising and Publications Coordinators, as well as the Regional Communications Officers.

Key Responsibilities

1.Direction of the work

• Develops and evaluates JRS communications and media strategies;
• Communicates the mission, vision, values and activities of JRS to specific target groups, as well as to a wider audience.
• Guides the communications strategy for on going and future capital campaigns.
• Leads the development and implementation of policies and practices and branding designed to promote coherent communications within the organisation and the protection of the reputation of JRS.
• Establishes guidelines on the production of quality content in cooperation with regional offices for both online and print communication.
• Overall responsibility for the development of JRS website and social media accounts including editorial responsibility and coordination of publication of materials from the JRS regions.
• In close cooperation with the regional communications officers, oversees the production and dissemination of e-publications, as well as other information materials.
• Identifies non-JRS publications and websites for publication of JRS-related content.
• Review and supervises the writing, production, translation and dissemination of material on countries where JRS is at work.
• Manage the photo and video databases, produces photos of JRS activities for publications, donors, partners and the media.

2.Finance and budgeting

• Develops, manages and reports on the budget of the communications department
• Works closely with the Director of Development to identify and produce materials for specific donor groups.

3.Supervisory/training role

• Manages the work of staff and interns in the communications department, providing mentoring and direction for their work.
• Acts as a mentor and coach to regional communications officers, offering assistance in the development and implementation of regional communications plans and in the editorial process.
• Provides, or procures, training for regional officers and other key staff on communications, media, photography and videography skills.
• Develops and maintains regular contact with the JRS regional offices, with communications staff, country directors and where appropriate with field personnel and with project directors.

4.Representation of JRS

• In cooperation with the Advocacy Director and Regional advocacy and Communications Officers, the Communications Director prepares press releases/statements and responds to media requests for information.
• Facilitates interviews and other cooperation between the media and JRS personnel, as well as the visits of journalists to priority projects and regions.
• In consultation with Regional Offices, the Communications Director develops and implements a JRS media strategy and liaises with media outlets.

5.Advocacy

• Works closely with Advocacy Director to produce relevant information related to forced migration.
• Helps to identify key public advocacy issues.

Required Competencies

• Ability to work and promote effective teamwork
• Leadership
• Working with Stakeholders
• Decision Making
• Empowering and Building Trust

Qualifications and Experience:

Education and Experience

• Advanced university degree in communications, journalism, international relations or other relevant discipline.
• Minimum of six (6) years working experience in a communications role.
• Working experience with media/journalists and developing media plans as well as comprehensive communications.
• Demonstrated ability to work and deliver under pressure and tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to build staff capacity and to work in a multicultural environment.

Language

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and a professional working knowledge of French or Spanish.

Technical Skills

• Extensive working experience using Photoshop software, HTML and Web content management systems, as well as good understanding of photography and photo-management software.
• Managing multilingual websites and social media tools, preferably with a human rights or development organisation;
• Ability to produce short videos, as well as design printed materials with Adobe InDesign an advantage.
• Editing and writing material in human rights or development contexts.

Core values and ethics

• Good understanding of and compatibility with the values of JRS;
• Very good pastoral sense, listening abilities and communication/inter-personal skills;
• Demonstrated ability and experience of working in a multi-cultural environment with good multicultural sensitivities and in a flexible environment;
• Willingness and ability to travel to other countries when needed/requested.

Conditions:

Contract is for two years, renewable with an initial probationary period of six months. The JRS remuneration policy is aligned with the JRS ethos to offer effective and professional services and at the same time express solidarity with the people served. The salary is calculated with the use of a post-adjustment multiplier and takes into account years of relevant experience and degree of responsibility of the role. Details will be discussed with short-listed candidates.

Non-European Union nationals must be in possession of an Italian work visa and right of abode in Italy. Applicants will not be considered unless they meet these requirements.

All applicants are requested to submit the following documents through the online form under this link: Vacancies

1) Curriculum Vitae (CV) in English, including three (3) professional references with contact information, phone and email address.

2) A cover letter describing the candidate’s desire and motivation to work for JRS and how her/his qualifications and experience are a good fit for this position.