Who are we?

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956, and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced.

All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

DRC Syria

DRC has been actively operating in Syria since 2008 mainly supporting refugees. In June 2012, DRC was authorized by the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) to expand its humanitarian efforts and provide assistance to IDPs and the vulnerable resident population countrywide. Since then, DRC activities have been focused on NFI distributions, Shelter, WASH, Protection, Education, Livelihoods and Mine Risk Education in six Governorates (Damascus, Rural Damascus, Dara’a, Aleppo, Hama, and Homs), while Protection/community service activities are provided to beneficiaries throughout our Community Centers.

About the job:

The Policy and Communication Specialist will be part of the Syria Community Consortium (SCC) Management Unit. The SCC consists of the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), the International Medical Corps (IMC), the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), and Oxfam, four leading INGOs present in Syria for over a decade, responding to the Syria crisis. The overall goal of the SCC is to strengthen resilience capacities and promote the socio-economic well-being and self-reliance of at-risk crisis-affected communities in Syria by capitalizing on positive capacities and reducing reliance on negative coping strategies while addressing larger contextual challenges. The SCC aims to become a thought leader in the field, contributing to policy debates and influencing other actors, including the UN, INGOs, and donor governments. The Policy and Communication Specialist will work closely with the advocacy, programme, and field teams to lead and inform research and contribute to developing SCC’s policy positions on humanitarian issues such as principled humanitarian access and feasibility of effective resilience programming in Syria. This will be done through dedicated research including field visits to meet with the communities that the SCC assists. Additionally, the Policy and Communications Specialist will coordinate the development of relevant communications materials with the four partner organizations and support the generation of human stories in line with the SCC’s communication plan and strategy. The Policy and Communications Specialist will work closely with Oxfam – the influencing (advocacy, policy, and communications) lead of the SCC.

Responsibilities:

• Support on delivery and production of policy products for the SCC.
• In collaboration with SCC members’ programme teams and the SCC’s influencing lead, compile, gather, and analyze information from programme activities to use for advocacy purposes, and SCC’s evidence-based advocacy.
• Develop and lead on research methodologies, relevant to the SCC’s advocacy strategy, including qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Support the development of communication materials for the SCC.
• Develop a communications strategy for the SCC, informed by the communications plan.
• Create a communications guidance note for the SCC members.
• Manage internal and external communications for the SCC.

Experience:

• 3-5 years of experience working in research and influencing-related functions at local or international non-governmental organizations.
• Experience working with communities and civil society organizations.
• Ability to identify research and policy priorities across SCC Resilience Programme Framework pillars.
• Ability to lead on the design and implementation of research projects and policy activities
• Strong understanding of the political and humanitarian context in Syria.
• Ability to develop and design communications materials (blogs, articles, photos and videos).
• Proven experience of qualitative and quantitative research, including research design and methodologies, data collection and analysis.
• Ability to travel outside Damascus with the possibility of overnight stays in field offices.
• Attention to detail, and ability to work under pressure.
• High-level analytical skills.
• Cultural awareness and ability to build relationships quickly with a wide variety of people.
• Patient, adaptable, flexible, able to improvise and remain responsive and communicate clearly and effectively under pressure.
• Excellent planning, management and coordination skills, with the ability to work with little supervision.
• Strong communication (written and spoken), and interpersonal skills, with experience in coordinating multicultural teams.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, including political science, international relations, media, journalism, or communications. An advanced degree in a related discipline is beneficial.

Languages:

• Excellent written and spoken skills in both Arabic and English.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.

We offer:

Contract length: Three months (Extension based on performance and funds)

Level: Non-Management G2

Location: Syria – Damascus

Expected Start date: 01 October 2024

Application process

Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking here: Consortia Communication Specialist (Policy & Communication) – Application Form (hr-manager.net)

All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in the same language as this vacancy note. CV-only applications will not be considered.

Applications close 08 September 2024