Job Description

The Communications officer will gather all of the communication information from his/ her area. He/she will prepare, assist and/or supervise communications outputs such as films, photographs, case studies, blogs and field situation reports other communication platforms as required by the project. Signed off communication products can be used by the program office externally, especially as necessary documentation for their reports to donors, partners and stakeholders. Hence, he/she shall work closely with external or internal consultants, technical advisers and project teams to ensure quality and effective key messaging of each expected output.

The post-holder will also be expected to host media and donor trips and support the production of high-quality reports to document the progress of the project.

Programme Support

• Responsible for collating all relevant information in the geographical area and translating all these information to an up-to- date, holistic and understandable communication products, such as: briefers, area coverage map, program/ project information sheets.
• Identify compelling beneficiary stories from the field that will reflect the impact of Education Response in the area and put these stories in the official DepEd case study template.
• Write blogs that can further engage the public on the different kinds of education response activities in the region.
• Identify potential media stories from the field, and pitch to the National Office.
• Produce films, editing them to a high standard quality film, for wider audience.
• Produce strong consistent photographs, with corresponding captions, to document stories for the response.
• Actively participate in social media conversation to highlight the different works of the Education Sector for Marawi Response.
• Take lead on hosting donor and media trips (including designing itineraries, facilitating all needed administration and logistical support, etc.).
• Keep a regularly updated Program Office Communications Databank where DepEd staff can have access to all signed off information, communication and media products.
• Closely monitor local media hits within the region and inform the DRRMS Director for proper documentation of DepEd’s media mileage for the response.
• Perform other responsibilities as agreed with your line management.
• Emergency Communications: Must be ready to be deployed in the field for the Marawi Response at a moment’s notice to produce accurate, clear and consistent information and communication outputs relating to the emergency situation and the Education cluster’s emergency response—including case studies, blogs, photos and videos.

General

• Deliver results in line with the terms of reference agreed in advance – to do this in a way which maintains the reputation of DepEd and the Education Cluster
• Comply with DepEd’s and Save the Children’s policies and practice with respect to child protection, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies and procedures.
• Help be responsible for the security of all staff. Ensure that the security, health and wellbeing of staff are ensured, and staff management and other processes and policies and systems reflect principles of equity and fairness.
• Ensure that the minimum standards of humanitarian relief are maintained in accordance with the Sphere Charter and Red Cross Code of Conduct.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Graduate of BA Communication/ Journalism/ Broadcasting or any related course
• 3-5 years work experience in a communications or journalistic capacity
• Excellent writing skills (sample works required) and interpersonal communication skills, both in Tagalog and English
• Keen eye for good stories
• Ability to take quality video and photographs
• Proficiency in using MS Word, MS Excel, Photoshop, In Design and Premiere Pro
• Excellent relationship building and coordination skills in order to effectively work with different program/ project teams
• Excellent communications and relationship building skills with children in order to gather good case studies
• Experience in working with the media
• An initiative-taking, proactive, inspiring attitude with the ability to manage and prioritise an unpredictable workload and solve problems quickly with limited support
• Ability to manage small teams and large volumes of information
• Ability to hit deadlines and deal with a number of stakeholders with varying priorities
• The capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances
• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy
• Commitment to the aims and principles of Save the Children—a good understanding of the Save the Children mandate and child focus, and an ability to ensure this continues to underpin our support
• Willingness to engage in heavy travels
• Experience working in humanitarian context
• Experience in writing press releases and pitching to the media Experience working in an international NGO