Core Details

Shaping a stronger Oxfam for people living in poverty

ABOUT OXFAM

Oxfam is a global community who believe poverty isn’t inevitable. It’s an injustice that can be overcome. We are shop volunteers, women’s right activists, marathon runners, aid workers, coffee farmers, street fundraisers, goat herders, policy experts, campaigners, water engineers and more. And we won’t stop until everyone can live life without poverty for good.

Oxfam GB is a member of international confederation of 19 organisations working together with partners and local communities in the areas of humanitarian, development and campaigning, in more than 90 countries.  

Our values and commitment to safeguarding

Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behavior at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom Oxfam GB engages. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us. 

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Oxfam GB also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.  In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures. 

OUR TEAM

To work directly with Oxfam’s beneficiaries and partners to overcome poverty and suffering; and in alignment with the programme “Empower Youth for Work” conduct media and communications and to advocate and campaign for poverty reduction, youth empowerment and gender equality for young women and men living in rural climate-change affected areas.

JOB PURPOSE

To create, implement and develop specific communications and communication strategies, for a variety of internal and external audiences for the youth programme.  

DIMENSIONS:

The main purpose of the post is for supporting the programme for facilitating the creation of enabling environment with improved policies and changes in social norms allowing youth, especially young women, to claim their economic, sexual and reproductive health rights

• Works independently, making decisions and problem-solving on routine, new and complex issues/problems, which are often highly unpredictable in type, content, or circumstances.
• Expert knowledge of relevant communications environment and programme context.
• Provides creative/innovative solutions to wide range of problems/tasks/projects - some new/some routine.
• Forward planning & management of communication strategy within own specialism.
• Contributes to strategic development at a wider level within the programme.
• Providing technical advice and specialist guidance on appropriate communications solutions across the organisation at all levels.
• Representing Oxfam to influential external contacts and acting as key external spokesperson for the ‘Empower Youth for Work’ project.
• Achieves goals by influencing internal/external agenda/policies through using well-developed influencing, negotiating and sales skills.
• Responsible for shaping work which has a potentially major impact on public image.
• Requires ability to analyse and communicate complex information to a wide range of audiences.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

•  Networking, relationship building, information gathering, and dissemination, with all relevant external actors in Ethiopia (e.g. other agencies, the media, etc) and internal actors across Oxfam International and the Regional Centre and Oxfam House.
• Lead the development and delivery of Communications and Influencing Strategies for the Empower Youth for Work programme, in partnership with other Oxfam staff, making effective use of various communication channels and technologies.
• Research compile and analyses information (from media, other agencies, Oxfam programme, etc).
• Ensure the creation of access for youth on information about job opportunities and the co-creation of the job services network via mobile phones with the involvement of stakeholders and target youth.
• Develop and maintain communication processes and internal systems.
• Involve in mass media communication campaign by closely working with BBC media action and government radios to transmit youth-friendly information.
• Lead on advocacy, campaigning and fundraising work efforts and ensuring all communications and advocacy work is gender-sensitive and follows Oxfam’s sign off procedures.
• Plan and organise influencing moments and for an as well as profile-raising opportunities including media opportunities and events.
• Advise Programme staff and partners on external communication, ensuring best practice and providing training where necessary.
• Be familiar with and abide by (where relevant) the NGO/Red Cross as well as Oxfam in Ethiopia’s Code of Conduct, Oxfam International procedures and international standards (e.g. Sphere Minimum Standards, etc), IHL as well as protection issues.
• Actively participate in the implementation of Performance Management including objective setting, performance review, upward feedback, and personal development plans. Ensuring relevant aspects of Oxfam GB’s work in Ethiopia e.g. gender equity is reflected in your objectives.
• Ensure implementation of Oxfam GB’s operational policies, procedures, and guidelines, especially gender equity, in all aspects of Oxfam’s work.  With support from technical advisors and programme service staff as needed.
• Act as Empower Youth for Work programme representative at the local and national level with local authorities, partners, etc as required, mainly in events relating to communication.
• Be a member of Oxfam’s team; participating in appropriate staff meetings, planning sessions and on-going liaising as needed and work closely with Oxfam International in Ethiopia.

Other 

• Required to adhere to Oxfam’s principles and values as well as the promotion of gender justice and women's rights  
• Understanding of and commitment to adhere to equity, diversity, gender, child safety, and staff health and wellbeing principles. 

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND KNOWLEDGE 

Essential

• BA degree in Media and Communications or Graphics Design or in any other related fields
• Relevant experience of 5 years and proven success in the development and delivery of media and communications strategies.
• Good knowledge and experience of communications to a wide variety of audiences with a particular understanding of media.
• Understanding of the link between advocacy/influencing and communications
• Understanding of development issues and knowledge of the role of NGOs in development, humanitarian and advocacy work
• Experience of writing articles press releases and providing media interview briefings
• The ability to anticipate media opportunities and to devise and deliver imaginative plans for releasing their potential with a view to influencing key decision-makers and or the masses
• Able to provide specialist communications advice, training, and support to the Programme Team, and key external partners
• Understanding of international humanitarian principles, standards, and guidelines (e.g. International Humanitarian Law, Guiding principles for Internal Displacement, protection, Sphere minimum standards, etc.)
• Ability to engage with a variety of complex issues such as gender, HIV or livelihoods, and translate these into simple messages
• An understanding of the importance of gender on poverty and suffering, and a commitment to promoting diversity through our work.
• Strong interpersonal skills and Sensitivity to cultural differences, and the ability to work in a wide variety of cultural contexts.
• Proven ability to work independently and demonstrated an ability to work under pressure, prioritize, meet deadlines and achieve results
• Good computer skills (MS-word, MS-Excel, MS-PowerPoint, publishing, photography and video editing software and use of Email and Internet).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English to a variety of audiences
• Willingness to be flexible and adaptive to changing working requirements

 Desirable

• Willing to travel to project areas on a regular basis.
• Written and verbal communication skills in Amharic, Oromiffa or Somali and/or other local languages
• Knowledge of the opportunities and constraints of working with the Ethiopian media
• Photographic and video skills

Behavioral Competencies

• Communication Skills
• Organisational awareness
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to Achieve Results
• Tenacity
• Effective time keeping and organisational skill

Key Attributes

• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to cultural differences and gender issues, as well as the commitment to equal opportunities.
• Ability to demonstrate an openness and willingness to learn about the application of gender/gender mainstreaming, women’s rights, and diversity for all aspects of development work. 
• Commitment to undertake Oxfam’s safeguarding training and adherence of relevant policies to ensure all people who come into contact with Oxfam are as safe as possible. 

Organisational Values

• Accountability – Our purpose-driven, results-focused approach means we take responsibility for our actions and hold ourselves accountable. We believe that others should also be held accountable for their actions.
• Empowerment – Our approach means that everyone involved with Oxfam, from our staff and supporters to people living in poverty, should feel they can make change happen.
• Inclusiveness – We are open to everyone and embrace diversity. We believe everyone has a contribution to make, regardless of visible and invisible differences.

Note to candidates: Shortlisted candidates will be assessed on our organisational values and attributes at the interview stage. The successful candidate(s) will be expected to adhere to our code of conduct. We encourage candidates to read and understand our code of conduct here.