Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia. The organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in nearly 1,400 communities throughout the U.S. and in nearly 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves.

Habitat for Humanity Ethiopia (HFHE) started operation in 1993 as a branch of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI). HFHE has provided simple, affordable shelter for families in Ethiopia while also working to improve Water, Sanitation and Hygiene and empower Vulnerable Groups in the country.

JOB SUMMARY

To provide strong and strategic communications support to HFHE Ethiopia, through the management of the communications function that is focused to serve the essential communications needs of the organization. This will include Communications, overseeing the production of key communications resources for donor and public engagement; positioning HFHE with in-country and international media and manage internal communication processes which support and advance the strategic goals of HFHE and its core functions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

External Communications Management:

• Ensure that HFHE communications positively and consistently re-enforce HFHE’s identity.
• Produce informative publicity and advocacy materials about HFHE in various forms/publications; Initiate, draft, edit press kits, fact sheets, infographics and multimedia products;
• Produce and make ready communication materials: stories, project updates, videos and pictures for web-based plat forms (social media and website).
• Manage the planning and production of compelling and issues-oriented communication materials(Thank you messages, recognition packs and impact stories) for effective donor relations and engagement by HFHE – both in-country and internationally as appropriate.
• Ensure that HFH’s brand is maintained in all communication and other materials; Provides support in designing and implementing communication activities in line with HFHE’s standards.
• Liaises with Programs team and other departments in order to document project activities for donors. ensure the timely and consistent production of stories, photos and other materials to standards of quality required for donor proposals and reports.
• Effectively manage donor visits to see donor funded projects; gather and write needs, before and after cases; and success stories with photographs for communication, HFHE use and documentation.
• Consult and network with relevant HFHE “stakeholders” as needed and appropriate to ensure that their key information resource needs are being met by HFHE, in compliance with agreed standards, policies and priorities.

Internal Communications Management:

• Ensure that key internal communications messages and products of HFHE are skillfully developed and articulated for meeting their objectives.
• Serve as a consistent, creative and timely information source to HFHE on key areas and issues and their specific programme sectors.
• Establish systems and safeguards for the appropriate and effective flows of relevant information to and from HFHE staff both internally and externally as and when required.
• Provide support in organizing events, project bases workshops and partners dialogues; develop plans, press releases, and social media messages; produce project based IEC materials.

Media Communications Management:

• Influence and ensure positive portrayal of HFHE in the media as well as in the eyes of the public.
• Create relationship and engage the media (mainstream and social) to promote the interests of HFHE; maintain an updated contact list of key media personal (journalists, producers, editors etc.)
• Ensure that the media is interested in HFHE whenever it is necessary, Identify media moments and media outreach;
• Help to shape messages and stories, pitch them for media professionals.
• Prepare and position the Country Director for important media opportunities and interviews that promote and protect the public image of HFHE.
• Evaluate media reports and identify potential reputational risk issues.

Advocacy:

• Collaborate with advocacy colleagues [where present] to define key issues, messaging, and communications channels for public advocacy initiatives.
• Support advocacy campaigns by engaging the media to gain exposure and credibility and increase public discussion and fundraising.

Promotion of HFHE’s image: Carry out periodic HFHE image audits and design strategies to enhance the Image in line with the findings; monitors the policy on usage of the existing rand and logo.

Safeguarding: Remain alert and responsive to any safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills which will enable to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the safeguarding policy and procedures, and conduct in a manner consistent with Safeguarding Policy.

Duration: 6 Month

Job Requirements

Minimum Requirement:

• Bachelor’s degree in mass communication, Journalism, public relations, Political science and international relations, English language and Business Administration.
• Knowledge in Advocacy would be an added advantage.
• Years of Related Experience: A minimum of five (5) years hands on experience in a similar position, from which 3 years served in International NGO’s.
• Skill in photography and videography.
• Skill in web-based messaging and social media.