Communication Specialist - IQ Talent Marketplace

Blumont is a global organization working with local communities to design and implement innovative approaches to building infrastructure, delivering lifesaving humanitarian assistance, and bridging the gap from early recovery through long-term stability and development. Blumont serves underserved populations, refugees, internally displaced persons, victims of conflict, and tackles development challenges through programming tailored to local contexts and needs in order to empower communities from relief and recovery to sustainable resilience.

Blumont is seeking a Communications Specialist to design and implement a strategic communications plan for SAFER II. Supervised by the SAFERII Program Director, the Communications Specialist will be an integral part of the team, working across areas of program implementation to improve understanding and visibility of progress and successes amongst key audiences, including USAID/BHA and relevant coordinating partners. The Communications Specialist will also work closely with the Blumont Communications Team based in Arlington, VA to amplify program activities and ensure alignment with Blumont and USAID/BHA communications policies and standards.

The Communications Specialist will collaborate with technical experts to create a range of tools and materials, including success stories, reports, and social media content. In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, s/he may be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

This position requires a high degree of organization with the ability to engage with colleagues in Erbil, Syria, and the United States. A strong candidate for this position will prioritize and embody Blumont’s core values:

Put people first

Prioritize empathy and humility; respect those we serve and work with

Engage all perspectives

Value diversity and equity; assume positive intent from one another; appreciate feedback

Act with integrity

Demonstrate professionalism; be accountable to communities, donors, and each other

Keep moving forward

Learn and adapt; focus on solutions; get things done

JOB FUNCTIONS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Developing a strategic communications plan to guide messaging, content collection, and reporting for SAFERII.
• Coordinating with the SAFERII Program Director, managers of program components, the monitoring and evaluation team, the HQ-based Program Quality and Learning team (including technical team and program manager), Blumont Communications Team, and other colleagues to monitor progress and identify opportunities to capture, develop, and amplify information.
• Participating in SAFERII team meetings to build understanding of activities, follow progress, provide strategic guidance, and identify opportunities or potential challenges that communications activities can support.
• Working with SAFERII team members to identify and develop success stories, including conducting interviews with program staff and beneficiaries to illustrate impact and outcome of interventions, collecting photos and video content (with relevant release forms), writing stories for submission to USAID or the Blumont website, and working with the Blumont Communications team to refine content for publication.
• Regularly work with camp-based teams, including protection and gender teams, to identify stories that illustrate the impact of activities, while demonstrating an understanding of how to work with and handle personal and sensitive information in a way that protects the well-being, safety, and dignity of all involved.
• Working with the SAFERII Program Director and program manager to define roles and responsibilities for required reports (monthly and semi-annual).
• Working with the SAFERII Program Director and program manager to compile, edit, and finalize required reports—refining input and drafts submitted by technical leads and component managers.
• Review and refine all SAFERII materials for use with external audiences, including reports, presentations, and fact sheets.
• Ensuring that all communications and materials are in line with USAID/BHA branding and marking plan and Blumont policies.
• Developing social media content for the Blumont Communications Team to amplify program progress via Blumont social media channels. (No SAFERII-specific social media channels will be created.)
• Coordinating with Blumont Communications Team to respond to or address any media inquiries, communications crises, or related needs.
• Capturing and tracking visual assets, including photos and videos, in line with Blumont policies.
• Regularly capture and share visual and story content with Blumont Communications Team.
• Coordinating with Blumont Communications Team on outreach campaigns which may include international days (e.g., International Women’s Day, World Food Day).
• Participating in relevant cluster, partner, or working group meetings to build understanding of the context SAFERII works in.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as communications, marketing, journalism, or international development. At least 5 years of directly relevant professional experience, preferably in international development.
• Prior experience working on donor-funded projects, preferably with USAID
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic
• Proven experience developing and editing a range of written materials in English, including reports, success stories, presentations, fact sheets, and social media content
• Strong analytical capacity, including the ability to synthesize complex/technical information for non-technical audiences
• Ability to multitask without losing attention to detail
• Proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results in a fast-paced, fluid, and challenging work environment
• A proven self-motivated individual capable of working with diverse teams of both national and international staff as well as local government authorities, I/NGOs and other partners
• Strong knowledge of MS Office applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint
• Demonstrated ability to handle routine administrative tasks and operational issues

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

• Knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere, InDesign, or other design tools
• Ability to travel to program sites in northeast Syria

EXPECTATIONS:

The selected individual is expected to carry out duties in accordance with Blumont’s values and policies, including the Code of Business Ethics and Conduct and Communications policy.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• CV outlining relevant experience, in line with requirements and expectations described above

Other Considerations:

• Candidates from the local area are encouraged to apply.

Blumont is an equal-opportunity employer, values diversity in its workforce and continually strives to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates. Due to the large volume of applications we receive, we are unable to respond to all applicants, therefore, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Blumont will review the applications on rolling basis and may close the advertisement before the deadline if the ideal candidate was found. One or more similar/different positions maybe filled in this recruitment activity depending on the applicants’ qualifications.

Blumont’s selection process will include rigorous background checks and all team members will be expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our core values, anti-harassment policy and PSEA policies