HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation Ethiopia is a registered charity operating in the working areas of Rural Infrastructure, Natural Resources Management, Support to Civil Society Organizations and Local Government, Skill Development and Education, and Emergency Responses. See also www.helvetas.org. HELVETAS Ethiopia is presently looking for motivated and competent professional for the following position.

In its Country Strategy 2019-2023, HELVETAS aims at improved communication; with respect to Public Relations as well as Communication for Development.

The development of accessible material explaining the profile and expertise of the organization to this end a cascaded set of (print and digital) brochures or pamphlets will be elaborated going from the country program, thematic working area to project description along a standard format. This will be complemented by simple two-pagers on (proven) approaches and methodologies as well as capability statements of the respective working areas. In the materials due attention for gander and social equity and the three interlinked mechanisms:

1. implementation of development projects /programs;
2. provision of thematic advice and building competences; and
3. engagement in advocacy and policy dialogue, are to be conveyed.

The organization aims at a revamping of the visibility of the organization with attractive but simple standardized signage for offices and on vehicles. Banners for both thematic areas as well as projects will be made for public events.

Equally, communication tools are vital for the political dialogue and awareness-rais­ing required to bring about social and institutional reforms in the working areas in which HELVETAS engages. Providing access to information, technical, environmental, social, economic, etc., is a core function of development cooperation, alongside boosting participation. HELVETAS aims at using communication for development in order to promote innovative forms of dialogue with partners and beneficiaries and thus make our programs more sustainable.

To this end the internal capacity, by having in-house expertise as well as create a cross-project effort, and collaboration with the Marketing and Communications Department in Switzerland will be strengthened. All material to be developed in line with the house style of the organization.

Overall Targets:

Production of core organizational documents for external usage such as country strategy, project documents, evaluation and knowledge documents.

Public relations materials covering the program level, thematic working areas, projects, as well as different topic papers.

Introduction of the principles and tools of communication for development in selected projects and validation of products and materials (to be) used. 

Main Tasks:

• Production of a popular version of the Country Strategy 2019-2023;
• Production of summary external versions of (9)project documents;
• Editing of external versions of selected evaluations (2019);
• Production of a folder and brochures, as a layered set of PR materials, to be used as per target audience;
• Introduce a set of tools and methods to describe and visualize HELVETAS’ impact;
• Update and enrich the web content of the HELVETAS Ethiopia website;
• Explore and propose options for the use of social media;
• Development and maintenance of a photo stock;
• Facilitate the production of banners and other materials for the projects;
• Support marketing of HELVETAS abroad through the Communication and Marketing unit of HELVETAS Switzerland;
• Organization of in-house awareness on methods and concepts of communication for development;
• Develop in collaboration with project teams selected communication for development products.

Job Requirements

• Master's or Bachelor's degree in public relations, communications or relevant fields; 
• A minimum of 5 years' experience working in Communications with INGOs or other relief and development organizations;
• Excellent communication (oral and written) and presentation skills
• Solid understanding of project management principles
• Excellent writing skills, ability produce effective content with text and visuals for different audiences
• Outstanding organizational and planning abilities
• Excellent skills / proficiency in MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Publisher (or other publishing software), and image editing software. Preferably also skills in illustration and video editing software
• Fluent in spoken and written English and Amharic

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit their application, including a CV, with names and contact numbers of three referees directly either by CLICK HERE or by email through  hr.ethiopia@helvetas.org .  

HELVETAS is an equal opportunity employer; however, women candidates are highly encouraged to apply