Advocacy and Communications Officer 

Job Description

CRS JOB ADVERT – INTERNAL/EXTERNAL 

CRS is Recruiting for 1 Position: Advocacy and Communications Officer 

If you are interested and your profile matches the requirements, please read the below job descriptions, and follow the instructions to submit your application package.  

About CRS 

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community  in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100  countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is  accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education,  microfinance and peacebuilding. 

The project aims to promote an inclusive political process, social cohesion and socio-economic  improvement for young people in Sierra Leone. Through this project, CRS and implementing partners  will engage diverse stakeholders to address unequal power relations between leaders and young  people at district and national levels. The project will empower young people, particularly young  women, to engage in advocacy activities against gender-based violence (GBV) and underlying cultural  and traditional beliefs that undermine youth participation in socio-economic activities. Young people  will also be empowered and protected to support peacebuilding efforts at chiefdom and district  levels. 

The project outcomes are: 

• Enhanced participation and representation of youth (including women and PWDs) in  decision-making processes. 
• Outcome 2: Youths are capacitated to mitigate conflict and promote social cohesion.
•  Outcome 3: Youths including young women and youths with disability engaged in diversified  livelihoods. 

Job Summary: 

The Communications and Advocacy Officer for the Youth in Politics and Peacebuilding project will  work closely with the Country Program Communications team to create content and to ensure  strategic alignment of communications, consistent messaging, and strong brand identity of the  project. The Communications and Advocacy Officer creates content and uses effective  communications channels to reach several different audiences. This includes stories, multimedia, and  reports as required, as well as ensuring CRS’ compliance with donor branding and marking  requirements. She/He will develop IEC materials, advocacy, and communications strategies as  aligned to the project approach. The incumbent will support the program team to mobilize and train  project participants and partners on communications and advocacy.  

Job Title: Advocacy and Communication Officer 

Department: Programming – UNPBF 

Reports To: Project Manager – UNPBF, with dotted lines to the Communications Manager Country: CRS-Sierra Leone. 

Duty Location: CRS Freetown Office 

Roles and Key Responsibilities 

• Write, design, and manage the production of creative and compelling communication and  marketing material –stories, photos, video, fact sheets, brochures, etc. – for various  audiences, including local and national governments, community stakeholders, partners,  media and others as needed.  
• Coordinate freelancers in the production of above marketing materials as needed. 
•  Support the procurement processes for licenses, equipment, and applications needed to  implement the project communications plan.  
• Use and tailor agency messages tailored for each audience and identify and utilize effective  distribution channels to disseminate communications materials to key audiences.
•  Contribute content to the Country Program social media channels. 
• Develop and maintain relationships with local media and help identify opportunities to  reach key audiences.  
• Develop social behavior change and campaign Information, Education and Communication  (IEC) materials.  
• Support the dissemination of relevant information among personnel, partners, and project participants or other relevant actors related to the project.
• Provide marketing and communications support for events, including signage, handouts,  talking points, photos, liaising with media, etc., and convene local media whenever a CRS  event takes place. 
• Support partners in visibility and branding of the project  
• Support partners to develop and report success stories  
• Support the creation of processes, manuals and training for CP staff and partners on issues  related to communications and advocacy. 
• Develop communications and advocacy strategy for the project in collaboration with  partners.  

Activities 

• Training youths (male) on CRS positive masculinity concept to advocate Gender Based  Violence and advance women’s leadership.  
• Conduct basic social skills training such as public speaking, mobilization, lobbying, and  advocacy skills for young women 
• Support the program team to organize dialogue sessions with key stakeholders to promote  and influence the positive involvement of young women in leadership. 
• Organize training for women and youth. 
• Develop communications and advocacy strategies support the implementation of the  strategy and train local partners in advocacy.  

Basic Qualifications  

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in communications, Journalism, Social Science or related studies;  experience in INGOs or UN preferred.
• Minimum five years of advocacy and communication experience, ideally for an NGO or another  organization in development and relief programming.  
• Excellent English language oral and written communication skills is required. 
•  Individual must possess the ability to influence without direct authority.
•  Ability and desire to work well with diverse employees and customers in a cooperative and  friendly manner.  
• Must possess ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
•  Demonstrated track record of successfully disseminating information to a variety of target  audiences. 
• Travel up to 60 % is required.  
• Highly proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and desktop publishing skills is required. 

Preferred Qualifications  

• Experience in Adobe Creative Suite, especially InDesign, is strongly desired.
• Experience in advocacy on sensitive issue in rural setting is strongly desired.  

Required Languages – Good English Language, Krio 

And other related (French). 

Travel – include percentage of required travel, if applicable. Could be stated as Must be willing and  able to travel up to 40%. 

Key Working Relationships:  

Internal – CRS Staff 

External – All Related to CRS  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Observation, active listening and analysis skills with ability to make sound judgment
•  Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners and  community members 
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented 

Supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none) 

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Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)  

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to  fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.  

• Integrity  
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation 
• Builds Relationships  
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset 
• Accountability & Stewardship 

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the  commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a  part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to  serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and  vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.  

By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with  dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further,  I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and  my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to safeguarding-related  topics. 

WOMEN ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. CRS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

To apply for this position please send up-to-date CV and a supporting letter, copies of relevant certificates to email address below. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted. SL_HR@crs.org.  

Also send a copy of your application package to the desk Officers, Ministry of Employment and Social  Security, New England and Extension Offices in Applicants’ Locations 

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities  associated with the position.  

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults  from abuse and exploitation. 

Closing Date for the receipt of application packages is 30th April 2024.