Communication Officer for outreach

- Division/Office: Office of Chief Executive Officer
- Salary Level: M-11, Step 1 (USD 33,440 base salary per annum) plus other benefits as mentioned in the Job Description
- Work Location: Mekong River Commission Secretariat, Vientiane, Lao PDR
- Contract Type/ Duration: Fixed-term Appointment/One-year contract with annual renewal for a maximum of six years
- Date posted: 6 March 2024
- Closing date: 31 March 2024
*** Job Summary:
The job holder is to increase the ability of the MRC to effectively communicate and consult with key stakeholders and partners (general public, media, development partners, NGOs, and others). S/he maintains good internal communication on key issues, and informs the external audiences, in particular through the media, to raise awareness about the activities of the MRC in the region and internationally. S/he supports the development of MRC policies and strategies for international cooperation and public relations and ensures those policies and strategies are effectively implemented.
*** MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under the management direction of the CEO and technical guidance of the Chief Strategy and Partnership Officer, the incumbent performs the following duties:
• Work primarily on outreach activities and public relations, responding to public queries, engaging with civil society, technical institutions and donors, organising outreach events for the public in collaboration with the Stakeholder specialist of the Planning Division;
• Support media relations, assisting the Communication Officer for Press in responding to media queries, drafting press releases, preparing FAOs and press kits, organising press conferences, arranging media interviews with the senior management and experts, monitoring and analysing media trends and opportunities, and, when authorised, acting as spokesperson;
• Formulate the organisation's communication strategy including crisis communication, develop annual work plans and implement communication campaigns in close consultation with the MRC's leadership and the Chief Strategy & Partnership Officer, in order to foster the positive image of the organisation to win the public support;
• Assist and work in partnership with the Stakeholder Engagement Specialist to implement the MRC's effort in widening its engagement with civil society organizations, the private sector and the academia;
• Provide communication support to the MRC's substantive organs, including the Council, the Joint Committee, and the Secretariat's divisions and teams, and closely work with the National Mekong Committees;
• Support the in-house communication/media activities and the production of knowledge-based information materials for public dissemination;
• Draft texts for articles on MRC news and events, web- and social media-contents and other public information materials such as brochures, infographics, and newsletters;
• Take photos and video footages on MRC activities for public information and archiving;
• Oversee the production of multimedia products, conceptualising storylines for audio-visual materials and supervising the work of photography and videography consultants;
• Closely work with Web/Graphic Designer to ensure the MRC websites, social media platforms and publications' graphics are well designed and user-friendly;
• Support fund-raising and public campaigns to secure funds for the organization;
• Lead the establishment of work relationships with the key stakeholders, including government agencies, media, NGOs, civil society, researchers and other interested members of the general public;
• Provide communication advice to the senior management as well as the member countries;
• Lead the capacity building of the National Mekong Committees in communication work;
• Support all divisions in copy-editing of technical reports for communication purposes;
• Support the divisions in the preparation of communication products;
• Support M&E Specialist in the preparation of the Mid-year and Annual Report;
• Support the Chief Strategy & Partnership Officer with communication with development partners and related tasks;
• Assist in proofreading and fact-checking the organization's online newsletters;
• Perform other relevant tasks as required.
4. SCOPE OF AUTHORITY
(a) Supervision requirements: The position does not require any formal supervisory responsibilities.
(b) Level of autonomy: Decision making follows defined procedures. The position does not administer a budget, yet has responsibility for ensuring the financial accountability of the MRC.
(c) Level of problem solving required: Problem solving skill is expected and the incumbent must display sensitivity, initiative and creativity.
(d) Level and type of communications required: Communications are wide, within and outside the organisation, and require considerable oral and written skills.