COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

Reporting to: Middle East Regional Lead
Location: Beirut, Lebanon
Duration: 3 months (renewable)
Position: Full time
Remuneration: 2700 USD/month + Benefits
Expected start date: ASAP

MAGENTA is pleased to announce that they have availability for a communication specialist position to support the implementation of programmes in Lebanon.

MAGENTA is a leading Social and Behavioural Change (SBC) Research and Communications agency that specialises in understanding human decision-making processes in order to design communications solutions for positive change in fragile and development settings. Headquartered in Amman and implementing programs across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, we use the latest in behavioural science principles and a rigorous approach to research, strategy, campaign design and implementation.

Our client base includes UN agencies, INGOs, governments and private sector. We aim to amplify the voices of local actors while bringing international expertise and methodological rigour. To do so, we partner with civil society, creative agencies, media and academics to design innovative, relevant and impactful solutions to some of the most challenging problems of our time. Whether we are aiming to shift parenting practices to improve children’s outcomes or to understand how social norms underpin corruption, we always go the extra mile to ensure we can create positive impact for some of the most underserved populations in the world.

The Communications Specialist position will be based in Beirut, Lebanon. The primary responsibilities of the Communications Specialist will include: 1) coordination and reporting; 2) communications campaigns and production management; 3) contributing to programme design and business development; and 4) contributing to organisational knowledge management. The Communications Specialist will work under the guidance of the Middle East Regional Lead and/or Programme Managers, and will represent MAGENTA in Lebanon. We are looking for exceptional individuals, driven by a keen desire to deliver social impact. In return, we offer a strong mentoring and training program, and exceptional growth possibilities within an expanding team.

Responsibilities

The Communications Specialist will provide project management support for a number of programs in the research and communications field. Typical tasks include:

Coordination and reporting

· Contribute to programme reporting on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis taking into considerations project KPIs

· Provide locally grounded insights from host communities, refugee populations, community leaders and other key stakeholders to the project

· Support with translation and transcription: Arabic / English, when necessary

· Provide guidance and mentorship to the team members on the ground.

· Organise project logistics, including travel and calendar scheduling

· Liaise and coordinate with local partners, including creative agencies and research partners, in Lebanon

Communications campaigns and production management

· Contribute to the development of effective SBC communications strategies and campaign (including digital)

· Lead the effective planning of MAGENTA’s communications programmes in Lebanon

· Utilise SBCC models at research and implementation phases of programmes

· Provide inputs to resource plans and budgets

· Develop clear and insightful creative briefs

· Provide constructive feedback on creative elements and ensure strategic messaging is integrated into content

· Responsible for timely and quality delivery of communications materials

· Develop communications training materials in Arabic

· Conduct effective on-the-job and formal trainings

· Monitor project KPIs and update monitoring and evaluation tracking tools

Programme Development

· Contribute to programme design, including theories of change, activity design, M&E frameworks, resource plans, financial plans

· Apply SBC models to the design of new programmes

· Contribute to proposal (technical and financial) preparation and submission

· Contribute to the expansion of MAGENTA’s professional network in Lebanon

Knowledge Management

· Update MAGENTA databases, including past performance records, contact lists, partner testimonials

· Record detailed meeting notes

· Compile project case studies and contribute to updating MAGENTA thematic portfolio on a regular basis

Requirements & Competencies

· Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Marketing, International Development, or equivalent;

· Minimum 5 years’ experience working as a communications specialist, or equivalent, on a humanitarian or development programme in Lebanon;

· Written and spoken fluency in English and Arabic;

· Familiarity with the project management cycle;

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills;

· Excellent understanding of the Lebanese context and communications landscape;

· Willingness to travel within Lebanon;

· Ability to multi-task and manage competing priorities;

· Experience in capacity building and training preferred;

· Excellent understanding of creative processes (from strategy and planning to production);

· Demonstrated capacity to manage complex production processes;

· Technological and digital fluency, including Social Media (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter);

· Entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to get hands dirty;

· Strong moral commitment to international and local development;

· Software familiarity: Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Office 365; Hootsuite (or similar)

Working Conditions:

· Some long hours including evening and weekends to complete tasks or attend events

· Willingness to work in regions that are remote and lack basic modern infrastructure