Overview
The Senior Political and Communications Officer is responsible for monitoring and analysing political and media developments, supporting communication outputs, and acting as the Principal Spokesperson and advisor on communications and media relations.
Key Responsibilities
- Monitor and analyse political and media developments, identifying key trends and emerging issues.
- Support coordination with relevant Mission units for coherence of political and communications outputs.
- Support and oversee the drafting, review, and timely delivery of written outputs, including reports, press materials, and social media content.
- Assist in planning and implementing PACU activities.
- Act as the Principal Spokesperson and Principal Advisor to the Head of Mission and senior management on communications and media relations.
- Oversee the development, monitoring, and evaluation of a comprehensive media and communications strategy.
- Design a crisis communication strategy.
- Liaise and maintain working relations with relevant interlocutors.
- Coordinate the creation, quality check, and review of original text, graphic, and audio-visual content.
- Oversee the management of social media channels and analyse community engagement.
- Develop contacts and manage relations with international and local journalists, embassy staff, and Media Officers.
- Conceive, issue, and follow up on press statements and communication.
- Supervise and provide guidance in the drafting and preparation of political reporting, analytical, and communications materials.
- Deputize for the Chief of PACU as required.
- Perform other duties as required.
Required Experience
- Minimum 6 years of relevant professional experience.
- Extensive experience in international organizations, preferably in an advisory capacity, political analysis and reporting and/or strategic communication.
- Experience as spokesperson and/or journalist.
- Knowledge of different aspects of public information, communication and advocacy, as well as experience in development of communication strategies.
- Experience in developing and leading country-wide public information campaigns, including impactful offline and online outreach with social media in focus.
- Proven ability to prepare news-related documents, social media posts, press releases, statements, speeches, feature stories, factsheets, and analytical reports in a clear, understandable and concise way.
- Ability to address a range of issues in the context of political developments, public attitudes and local context.
- Ability to communicate professionally and diplomatically with high level officials and media personnel.
- Ability to analyse political developments and present findings in a clear and understandable manner.
- Sound organizational, analytical, interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with relevant interlocutors, including government institutions, civil society, media representatives and international organizations.
- High degree of initiative and result-oriented work style.
- Practical experience with Microsoft applications and familiarity with information technology, including Internet, Intranet, digital photography and video.
- Demonstrated ability and willingness to work as a member of a team, with people of different cultural and religious backgrounds, gender diversity and varying political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity.
- Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities.
- Flexibility and ability to work under pressure and within limited timeframe.
- Knowledge of local languages or most common lingua franca spoken in the Mission area.
- Desirable: Knowledge of the regional political history and the political and cultural sensitivities of the country and region.
- Desirable: Background and experience in international organizations or field missions.
- Desirable: Experience in creating compelling content and messaging, as well as knowledge of advocacy strategies and public engagement.
Qualifications
• A first-level university degree in journalism, international relations or related field, communications, public relations, media studies or professional certification in journalism, public relations or media technology.
