Position Title: Communications Officer

Activation Date: 24 August, 2023 Announced Date: 23 August, 2023 Expire Date: 01 September, 2023

Job Kabul
Location:

Nationality: Afghan

Category: Communication

Employment Full Time

Type:

Salary: As per the

organization salary
scale

Vacancy IRW-CO-127-2023
Number:

No. Of Jobs: 1

City: Kabul

Organization: Islamic Relief

worldwide
Afghanistan
 Years of Minimum 3 years
Experience: work experience in
the relevant field
(Communication
and external
relations)

Contract one year with

Duration: possibility of
extension

Gender: Male/Female

Education: Bachelor's degree in

communication,
Journalism or
related discipline
from a reputable
university

Close date: 2023-09-01

About Islamic Relief worldwide Afghanistan:

Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) is an international, non-profitable, non-governmental
humanitarian relief organization with its head quarter in Birmingham, UK. It enjoys
consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and is a
signatory to the Code of Conduct for International Red Cross and red Crescent
Moments and NGOs in Disaster Relief. Islamic Relief has been working in Afghanistan
for more than 23 years, providing emergency relief and implementing life-changing
development projects for some of the most vulnerable people in the country. Islamic
Relief set up our first Afghanistan office in 1999. Since then, IRA continued providing
assistances in emergency relief, food security, livelihood, education, health, nutrition,
shelter, orphan sponsorship, Ramadan and Qurbani programmes.
 Job Description:
The Communications Officer will be responsible for producing high-quality
communications materials to clearly illustrate the work of Islamic Relief in Afghanistan.
The successful candidate is also expected to support in communications and external
relations work of IR Afghanistan, specifically development of communications tools,
gathering and diffusion of content, management of local and regional media and
organization of events. He/she contributes to IR’s visibility and communication with
external audiences and ensures the preparation and dissemination of the organisation’s
messages are in line with IR’s national and global strategy.

1. Media Management and Monitoring:

 Under the supervision of the Communications and External Relations Manager, the
Communications Officer establishes and maintains regular relations with key local media
contacts (journalists, bloggers, photographers, translators and cameramen).
 He/ she will handle local media requests and contact local media proactively to pitch IR
Afghanistan.
 He/she organizes events for local media (Press conference, Press briefing etc). The
Communications Officer may act as a spokesperson for local media, particularly in local
languages not spoken by members of the field coordination team. The Communications
Officer monitors local media and flags significant articles, trends, news or reports of
importance for IR Afghanistan or on the context to the Communications and External
Relations Manager.
 He/she produces strategic reports on the local media landscape (key media, audience
numbers, political affiliation, ownership, freedom of speech, use of social media) and
regularly reports on new developments. He/she provides guidance on how to deal with
local media at time of crisis.
 Work on increasing the visibility of IRAF operations through organizing media
profiles/interviews and submitting articles on our work once approved.

2. Content Production and Diffusion

 The Communications Officer is responsible for the production of local communication

tools and products (leaflets, brochures, posters, radio spots, articles, case studies, human
interest stories, fact sheets, photos, videos) according to local strategy and budget. In
particular, he/she will help identify the right communications tools and will adapt/translate
communications materials to targeted local audiences.
 Where relevant, and in close coordination with the Country Director and Communications
and External Relations Manager as well as IRW’s ERA Division, the Communications Officer
 actively diffuses IR Afghanistan content in the country in local languages and among local
media. If judged applicable by the Country Director and Communications and External
Relations Manager as well as IRW’s ERA Division, he/ she uses social media (twitter, blogs,
Facebook etc.) to promote this content.
 Support in creating and implementing an integrated and innovative communications
strategy that reflects Islamic Relief Afghanistan’s evolving goals
 Document results and best practices including compiling stories of change, developing
presentations and other communication materials.
 Publish articles to increase the visibility of projects and their results and disseminate
communication products, as agreed in the communication strategy.

3. Social Media Management:

 The Communications Officer is responsible for creating and administering content on IR

Afghanistan on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram to build an
audience and ensure community engagement, in close coordination with the Country
Director and Communications and External Relations Manager as well as IRW’s ERA
Division. The Communications Officer will also monitor site metrics and respond to
comments.
 Plan and set up campaigns in diverse channels using contemporary platforms i.e., social
media Ads and other traditional media including TVs and Radios

4. Internal Communication:

 The Communications Officer will assist in promoting IRW's Brand Guide – Corporate
Identity and Style Manual, IRW’s Organisational social media Policy, IRW’s Personal social
media Policy, Islamic Relief’s Writing and Style Guide, Case Study Collection Guide,
Children Protection Policy and other relevant internal policies and guidelines to IR
Afghanistan staff. He/ she will sensitize IR Afghanistan staff about potential external
communications risks. If need be, he/ she can edit the production of internal
communication tools (newsletter, etc.) under the supervision of the Communications and
External Relations Manager.
 When applicable the Communications Officer will provide communication training for
other staff, and identify training needs to be communicated to IRW’s ERA Division for
further action.
 Disseminate project materials and flash updates/news on Yammer and other internal
platforms

5. Reporting:
 The Communications Officer will participate in communication data-collection and
reporting as required.

 Develop comms monthly situation report (SITREP) and share in timely manner

6. Delivering External Relations Components:

 The Communications Officer is responsible for developing and delivering the external
relations component of IR Afghanistan and IRW’s External Relations and Advocacy
strategy, to protect and improve the organisation’s profile and reputation nationally and
globally, working closely with the Country Director, the Programmes Department and
IRW’s ERA Division.
 Develop a stakeholder engagement strategy for IR Afghanistan – to enhance visibility and
build up the reputation of IR Afghanistan and IRW at the global level, working closely with
IRW’s ERA Division.

 Representing IR Afghanistan and articulating IRW’s policies and work at high-profile

engagements, conferences and events.
 Helping to organise and support public engagements on behalf of IR Afghanistan, and
where relevant, for Afghanistan specific events organised by IRW’s ERA Division.
 Monitoring potential reputational issues and crisis communications, working closely with
IRW’s Crisis Communications lead.
 Identification and/or follow-up of donor or media missions

Job Requirements:
Education:

 Bachelor's degree in communication, Journalism or related discipline from a reputable

university

Skills and Experience:

 At least three (3) years’ experience in in the field of communications, knowledge

management, and external relations, with proven track record of managing media
platforms, producing articles and social insight reporting
 Excellent writing skills both in English and local languages (Dari and Pashto)
 Cultural awareness and ability to build relationships quickly with a wide variety of people
 Excellent planning, management and coordination skills with the ability to organize a
substantial workload comprised of complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities
 Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-ethnic team and take on diverse tasks
 Strong understanding of the humanitarian and development context in Afghanistan
 Strategic thinker with strong intuition.
 Ability to identify communications opportunities both internally and externally and
present it in a creative manner

 Photo & Video production and editing skills are desirable but not a requirement.
 Ability to leverage proper marketing across key social media and communication
platforms;
 Analytical reader, especially for deliverables to be developed for external stakeholders (e.g.
donors & partners);

The successful applicant job includes interviewing and regular communication with our
rightsholders, who are primarily women and girls. As a result, suitable female candidates
with a solid command of both written and spoken English are encouraged to apply for
the position.

Submission Guideline:
nterested and qualified national candidates should submit a cover letter explaining their
motivation and updated CV to the following link:

https://jobs.af/jobs/communications-officer-bfaL92Pdq

The closing date for accepting applications is 01 September 2023.

Please clearly state the Vacancy Announcement number and title of the position you are
applying for in the subject line.

Please note that applications received after the closing date will not be considered and
only short-listed candidates will be called for an interview

Submission Email:
https://jobs.af/jobs/communications-officer-bfaL92Pdq