APF Advocacy and Communication Officer

The ACT Palestine Forum (APF) was established in 2008 by a group of Christian ecumenical organisations representing local and international partners in order to respond to humanitarian needs in the Palestinian Territories caused by ongoing emergency situations, as well as to implement long-term development initiatives and to improve advocacy efforts by ACT members. Since late December 2008, the APF has engaged in a number of interventions supporting vulnerable people in Gaza. Currently the APF is implementing a number of projects both in the West Bank and Gaza working with local ecumenical and Palestinian partners. APF has the following part-time vacancy for its current and on-going Emergency Appeal time contract for from June - December 2009 with possibility of extension.

Objectives: The APF Advocacy and Communication Officer will be based in Jerusalem, and will be responsible to facilitate the development of a strategy for communications and advocacy for the ACT Palestine Forum. He/She will be responsible for writing and disseminating articles, features, publications and information for the current APF Appeal in close cooperation with the APF members.
Job Location: Jerusalem.
Duration: June – December 2009. Possibility for extension.
Responsibilities:
• Facilitate the development of a communication and advocacy strategy for the APF.
• Ability to engage and sustain media interest in APF activities in Gaza and the West Bank.
• Ability to write and edit articles and provide daily and weekly updates.
• Ability to provide monthly articles regarding of APF members’ activities in the Palestinian territories.
• Ability to coordinate and disseminate the articles prior to publication to APF Members throughout Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza.
• Prepare media releases and send out media alerts.
• Visit project locations to collect information and personal accounts from beneficiaries to include in APF press releases and media updates.
• Distribute materials and other media summaries to ACT donors.
• Develop and maintains media and photo files of the current APF Appeal initiatives.
• Other duties as deemed necessary.
Skills, Competencies and Working Conditions:
• University degree in communication, journalism or in a related field.
• At least 3 years of working experience.
• Proven experience in communication and information work.
• Experience in advocacy work.
• Knowledge of the Palestinian socio-political, cultural and religious context, and ability to analyse humanitarian and developmental trends and issues.
• Strong skills in the use of computer (MS application, Powerpoint, photovideo editing)
• Excellent written and spoken English and Arabic communication skills.
• Flexibility, creativity and ability to meet deadlines.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrate a practical work approach with ACT Palestine Forum members and partners.
• Demonstrate respect for partners and beneficiaries.
• Ability and willingness to travel throughout the Palestinian territories.
• Part time job of 20 hours per week, distributed between 3-5 days according to needs
• Transportation and communication allowances for job purposes.
• Part-time contract for from June - December 2009 with possibility of extension.