Communications Officer

Name of Project: Operation of the Business Centre at JAIP to advance and innovate productive sectors of Palestine

Background

Small Enterprise Center (SEC) Association is a Palestinian non-profit organization that was founded in 2002. In 2008, SEC was officially registered as an independent non-profit organization governed by the Palestinian Law of Charitable Associations and Community Organizations No.1 for the year 2000. SEC is a leading national organization serving Palestinian Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and social enterprises (including cooperatives) over Palestine where Gaza Office has started provision of business development services for MSMEs since 2008.

SEC is currently an implementing partner of the project “Operation of the Business Centre at JAIP to advance and innovate productive sectors of Palestine”, in partnership with UNDP’s Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (UNDP/PAPP) and The Palestinian Investment Promotion and Industrial Estate Agency (IPIEA). The project focuses on the establishment and operationalization of a Palestinian Business Prosperity Centre (PALPRO) at Jericho Agro-Industrial Park (JAIP) aiming at supporting MSMEs and mature startups with growth potential in their business development and market opportunities in Palestine and abroad. The project is funded by the Government of Japan and shall be seen as a part of a larger programme aiming at enhancing JAIP’s position as a sustainable economic development model in Palestine by supporting and expanding Palestine's agricultural and food processing value chains and ensure high-leveled technology for environmental protection, conservation of energy and efficient management.

Under the scope of this project, SEC is looking forward to hiring a Communications Officer to perform all required communication and outreach tasks for PALPRO to promote the project, its activities and results among beneficiaries, stakeholders, development partners and a wider audience, thereby increasing the impact and visibility of the project itself, while highlighting the results achieved and the partnerships created.

Work location: Jericho (with frequent visits to beneficiaries in the West Bank)

Type of contract:  Part-Time (50%)- 2.5 days a week

Duration of contract: 8 months

Starting Date of Assignment: As soon as possible

Reporting lines: The Communications Officer reports to SEC Project Manager and PALPRO Centre Manager

2.0 Objectives of the assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to promote PALPRO Centre, its activities and results among beneficiaries, stakeholders, development partners and a wider audience, thereby increasing the impact and visibility of the project itself, while highlighting the results achieved and the partnerships created.

3.0 Job Description

The contracted officer will be working closely with the project staff on the below tasks/deliverables:

• Handle information output, press releases and media requests, in Arabic and English;
• Assist in the branding of the Centre;
• Support the development of communication and visibility strategy and action plans in coordination with implementing partners; this includes but not limited to: identification of the targeted stakeholders, identification of the communication objectives for each targeted audience, creating key messages based on accomplishment and evidence for PALPRO, identification of main communication channels and strategies, and implementation of the action plans on a timely manner;
• Support in events planning including all outreach activities, demonstration days, and open house events, and producing comms materials;
• Photography and videography from the field and from the Centre’s activities;
• Write success stories from the Centre;
• Ensure that all donor branding and visibility requirements are fulfilled;
• Manage social media platforms of the Centre; Preparation of social media content (key messages with photos/videos/animations/artwork or similar) in Arabic and English based on PALPRO inputs (data, reports, publications, audiences, key indicators, etc.);
• Manage the Website of the Centre, and produce content for the Website in Arabic and English, and ensure it’s up to date;
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of communications materials and events to target audiences;
• Preparation of social media/website reports in Arabic and English (agreed key indicators to be tracked like outreach, engagement, negative feedback, etc.);
• Design of promotional material, and support in its production as needed;
• Design of other comms materials (calendars, greeting cards, posters, reports, etc.) as needed;
• Support the capacity of partners and beneficiaries in their communications strategies;

Jobs.ps, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

4.0 Qualifications and Work Experience of the Candidate

It is expected that the candidate shall provide the following expertise:

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Marketing, Communications, Journalism or a related field;
• At least 5 years of experience working in the media production, visibility, communication and outreach, social media and website management;
• Demonstrate ability to develop innovative, high quality, engaging media outputs;
• Demonstrate professional photography and graphic designing/illustrating skills, video conception, production and editing;
• Demonstrate professional writing skills for comms related materials in both Arabic and English;
• Demonstrate the ability to narrate complex data in a visually compelling manner;
• Have presence and access to all West Bank;
• Previous experience with development agencies is desirable.

 Other skills:

• Strong planning and organizational skills;
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills (Team Player);
• Ability to work independently – with minimum supervision and guidance from supervisors;
• Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, and online applications);
• Highly committed, able to work under pressure, adapt to new situations, and meet deadlines;

5.0 Language Requirements

All communication materials will be developed and disseminated in both Arabic and English. The candidate may be asked to provide translation services for certain content.

6.0 Duration of Appointment

The contract will be effective from the date of signing and will be in effect until the end of March 2023.

The expected level of effort of the officer is 50% during the project period, which is reflected in 2.5 days per week. The division of the days will be agreed upon between the contracting parties. This assignment is required to start as soon as possible.

7.0 Working arrangements

The duty station of this assignment is Jericho (with frequent visits to beneficiaries in the West Bank). The Communications Officer reports to SEC Project Manager and PALPRO Centre Manager.  

The Communications Officer will have to work closely with all project officers from the different partner organizations in this project and maintain close interactions with stakeholders within and outside of the Centre including local media, beneficiaries, governmental and development stakeholders.

8.0 Deadline for Applications

Interested candidates should submit their applications by 23 July 2022 at 16:00 PM (Palestine time).

Applications include:

• CV
• Cover Letter highlighting the candidate’s fit with the assigned role
• Samples from previous communication materials produced

All applications including the CV, Cover Letter, and Samples from previous assignments shall be submitted by email under the subject PALPRO Communications Officer for the following email:  [email protected]. Applications with missing information will be considered incomplete and will not be processed.

Note: Qualified Female Candidates, and Candidates from Jericho are highly encouraged to apply.