About Young Lives

Young Lives is a unique international study of childhood poverty, following the lives of 12,000 children in 4 countries (Ethiopia, India, Vietnam and Peru) for 15 years, through a combination of large-scale surveys of all the children, their households, and communities every 3 years, together with in-depth qualitative research using group activities and participatory techniques with a smaller sample of the children. A fifth wave of qualitative research was carried out in Ethiopia in 2019 and the sixth survey round will be carried out in 2020. The aim of Young Lives is to better understand both the causes and the consequences of poverty in childhood, and to provide evidence to support the development of effective policies for children.

Young Lives a key partner in the Ethiopia Child Research and Practice Forum, which was an outcome of a sub-study funded by the Oak Foundation to promote evidence-based approaches to policy. The Forum which holds monthly seminars on the last Thursday of each month at the Ministry of Women Children and Youth organized by the communications officer in PDRC brings together government and non-government stakeholders and researchers, with a mailing list of over 600 people. The CRPF also produces and disseminates newsletters and annual summaries produced by the CRPF coordinator. 

In Ethiopia, Young Lives is managed by the Country Director, and is implemented through qualitative and quantitative researchers, and the Communications and CRPF Coordinator. The Policy Studies Institute is the lead research partner. The Young Lives global themes are: the dynamics of child poverty; school, work and time use; and children’s experiences of poverty. In 2019 with support from UNICEF Ethiopia alongside the production of 5 policy briefs, and in 2020 UNICEF Ethiopia and DFID Ethiopia have commissioned the production of 8 papers with corresponding briefs which will be presented at the CRPF.

Job Purpose

The Young Lives Communications officer and CRPF coordinator plays an important role within Young Lives Ethiopia to ensure that the work of Young Lives is well represented and shared with a range of stakeholders, including – policymakers, other researchers and students, civil society organisations, media, different levels of government agencies, donors and the Young Lives children and their communities both nationally and internationally. This includes the dissemination of briefs produced with UNICEF Ethiopia, and forthcoming papers and briefs through agreements with UNICEF Ethiopia and DFID Ethiopia, and forthcoming work on a 6^th Round of the Young Lives survey. As coordinator of the CRPF, the post-holder will be responsible for organising and publicising the monthly meetings, updating the mailing list, communicating regularly about events and sending presentations, drafting quarterly newsletters and coordinating the production of annual summaries and promoting the use of research by policymakers and practitioners on a range of child-focused issues through the use of social media and by attending relevant events. The post-holder will support the full spectrum of the Young Lives communications work, including (but not limited to) the Young Lives Ethiopia website, social media platforms and media coverage.

The Communications Officer and CRPF Coordinator will report to the Young Lives Country Director and also r work with the Young Lives Communications Manager in Oxford.  S/he will also work closely with the Young Lives researchers (most of whom are based at Policy Studies Institute, as well as freelance qualitative researchers), and with the Young Lives Communications staff at the University of Oxford.

Responsibilities

Young Lives communications

Working with the Country Director in Ethiopia and the Communications Manager in Oxford the post holder will be responsible for:

• Producing and disseminating of papers and briefs  produced in coordination with UNICEF Ethiopia and DFID Ethiopia,
• Organising an inception meeting and a dissemination event.
• updating and improving the Young Lives Ethiopia website
• amplification of Young Lives publications, events, and key messages through social media (notably facebook and twitter)
• Production of digital stories or other innovative communication outputs to communicate Young Lives research, commission new photographs and finalise and disseminate a series of films currently in production
• Support the Country Director to ensure that Young Lives is properly represented in key networks and at external events in Addis Ababa and as needed the regions
• Assist the Country Director to coordinate Young Lives events and workshops with various stakeholders notably dissemination workshops.
• Maintain a contacts database and develop other systems as necessary. 

CRPF Coordination

• Organise the monthly CRPF seminar and invite and encourage government ministry staff and other stakeholders to attend.
• Maintain the CRPF mailing list with information about the network activities, including information about research and resources on children.
• Create and maintain links with similar forums and networks nationally, regionally and internationally, and ensure the CRPF is widely publicised.
• Prepare and disseminate the CRPF quarterly newsletters
• Prepare and disseminate annual summaries for 2017, 2018, 2019.
• Organise the CRPF Steering Committee meetings, prepare and distribute minutes.
• Monitor and report progress of the Forum’s activities to the Steering Committee every three months.

Working contacts

External: The Coordinator will closely work with the members of the Forum which include government, NGO, donor, bilateral and multilateral organisations, media, associations and individuals interested children’s issues, as well as steering committee members who are representatives of international NGOs, UN agencies, networks, local NGOs and research institutes.

Internal: The Communications and CRPF Coordinator reports to the Young Lives Country Director and works closely with the Young Lives Communications Manager in Oxford.

Contract type

• One year starting April 2020, with possible renewal for 2 years.

Reporting to

• Young Lives Ethiopia Country Director and
• Young Lives Communications Manager University of Oxford

Person specification

Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree preferably MA degree in mass media and communications, journalism or related field

Experience:

Essential

• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in communications preferably of social science research, policy and advocacy
• Experience of preparing newsletters and briefs, preferably desk top publishing packages
• Experience writing content for social media platforms and building followers (notably Facebook, Twitter)
• Experience in website management (uploading documents, short descriptions, news and events)

Desirable

• Good knowledge of the policy, practice and research environment in the country, including academic, Government and NGO sectors
• Adequate knowledge of children’s issues and knowledge of the latest developments in related fields
• Experience of event organization
• Experience with digital media, photography and film.

Skills and Competencies:

• Excellent writing and editing skills, with the ability to tailor written communications for different audiences.
• Excellent communication, presentation and facilitation skills
• Ability to quickly build a good and effective network to coordinate group activities
• Strong organisation skills, attention to details and ability to prioritise work
• Ability to use work independently and use initiative
• Excellent report writing skills
• Excellent command of English and Amharic
• Strong computer skills (Microsoft Word, Power Point, Publisher)
• A team-player with energy, enthusiasm and a commitment to communicating about children’s issues.