Job Title: Communications Officer CHARM (Fresher NGO Jobs)
Organisation: DefendDefenders
Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda
Reports to: CHARM Project Coordinator
About US:
DefendDefenders (East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project) is a regional non-governmental organisation (NGO) based in Kampala, Uganda, that seeks to strengthen the work of human rights defenders throughout the sub-region by reducing their vulnerability to the risk of persecution and by enhancing their capacity to effectively defend human rights. DefendDefenders works in Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia/Somaliland, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. More information is available on our website, and social media outlets (Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram).
DefendDefenders is hosting the Consortium for Human Rights and Media in Sub-Saharan Africa (CHARM) that aims to promote and protect human rights and media freedoms in Sub-Saharan Africa. CHARM is a partnership of CIVICUS, Civil Rights Defenders, DefendDefenders, Fojo Media Institute, The Wits Centre for Journalism, Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement, and Magamba Network. The partnership acknowledges the role that a free and active media and civil society have in the protection of robust democracies and the promotion of national development. The consortium has been operating since October 2019.
Job Summary: DefendDefenders is seeking a highly motivated, self-starting, detail oriented, and well organised Communications Officer to support and promote the work of CHARM. The Communications Officer will be responsible for developing and distributing content on the consortium’s work and maintaining its public profile. The successful candidate must be able to work effectively under pressure, be a good team player, and be willing to travel occasionally, as required.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Manage CHARM’s public profile, both online and offline.
- Develop and update the consortium’s media and communication strategy.
- Produce regular media and communications output, including press releases.
- Maintain and ensure strategic use of CHARM’s webpages and social media platforms
- (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube).
- Design print and digital promotional materials.
- Develop informative/promotional videos, photos, and infographics.
- Ensure good working relations amongst strategic media and communications partners.
- Coordinate the Communications Working Group working closely with partner communications focal points.
- Identify, explore, and utilise strategic opportunities for communication to highlight the work of CHARM.
- Lead in the development of the CHARM brand, developing branding collateral for the consortium.
- Assist the CHARM partners in collaborative advocacy, research, and communications.
- Train and support CHARM partners and human rights defenders in different communication strategies.
- Work closely with the CHARM Coordination team, in particular the communications assistant.
- Provide support to DefendDefenders’ communications department as a member of the communications team.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- The applicant must hold a post-graduate degree in a relevant field (Communications/Journalism Studies, or related field);
- At least two years of experience working in human rights, ideally working within an NGO, academic institution, civil society organisation, or other directly relevant institution.
- Excellent written and editing skills, with outstanding attention to detail.
- Experience operating audio-visual recording equipment.
- Knowledge and experience with WordPress and Adobe Creative Suite (especially Photoshop, Premier, and InDesign).
- Analytical skills.
- Create and/or coordinate original and engaging multimedia content across multiple social platforms.
- Manage social media accounts.
- Highly developed interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in a culturally diverse environment.
- Self-motivated, organised, and the ability to meet deadlines with minimal supervision;
- Willingness to travel.
- Familiarity with the human rights situation on the African Continent (including work experience from the region).
- Fluency in written and spoken French is highly desirable.
- Knowledge of Arabic and Portuguese is an added advantage.
How to Apply:
All candidates should apply with the following documents in a single submission
- Motivation letter
- CV, including two references
- Email your application to jobs@defenddefenders.org
Please do not attach copies of qualifications/diploma at this stage. Only complete applications will be reviewed. All materials should be submitted via email. We regret that, due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Deadline: 22nd June 2023