INFORMATION, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER (ICO)

Interested applicants please apply to nias_program@ yahoo.co. id by Nov 26, 07. Please indicate the position in your email’s “subject” line. No need to attach certificates.
The Australian Government with the support of AusAID is implementing the Nias Reconstruction Program (NRP). The program is located in South Nias with an office in Teluk Dalam. The goal of the project is to empower communities, particularly in needy villages, to take a leading role in building or rehabilitating community infrastructure that was destroyed by the earthquake and tsunami in 2005. This is to be achieved by developing the capacity of rural human resources and institutions, working closely with the local government, and providing small grants to villages.
Coffey International Development, the NRP Managing Contractor, requires an Information and Communications Officer. The specific position requirements are as follows:
Reports to: NRP Team Leader

Counterparts: Under the general supervision of the team leader, the position will interact mainly with the CDCBM (Community Development and Capacity Building Manager), CIM (Community Infrastructure Manager), IM (Infrastructure Manager for Sub-district Office Construction) and communicate upwards and outwards to the Team Leader, the Client and the community at large.

Other Stakeholders: The ICO may occasionally interact with communities and local governments through the local media and/or non-local media as instructed or requested by TL or the Client.

Duration of contract: 12 months, with a 3 month initial contract, start date: mid-Jan 08

Location: Based in NRP office (Teluk Dalam) with travel to the field as required (Sub-districts and villages participating in NRP activities). Some inter-provincial travel may also be required.

Languages: Bahasa Indonesia with proficiency in written and spoken English

Position Description:

The ICO under the general supervision of the Team Leader, will interact with NRP management, facilitators, communities and other stakeholders in the field to provide the information and communications link between implementation in the field and the broader community. The ICO will consistently promote NRP activities and prepare promotions materials and instruments through which NRP achievements will be disseminated to the client, stakeholders and the broader community. The position will entail oversight of the M&E system and ensuring NRP progress monitoring databases are kept up to date and accurate as a basis for information flows.

Responsibilities:

He/she will oversee implementation of all aspects of NRP information and communications especially the NRP community awareness campaign which entails compilation of a media program, including an NRP website, especially with regard to the community driven activities, and village grants under component 1. The incumbent should also prepare a program to promote awareness and understanding of the beneficiaries on the project and its key principles and work with NRP management to prepare a comprehensive community socialization program. A secondary responsibility will include monitoring and promotional reporting on other components such as capacity building and construction of Sub-district Offices.

Duties: The duties will entail but not be restricted to, the following:

Community awareness campaign
Initial preparation, ongoing updating and dissemination of NRP fact sheet (promotional pamphlet)
Preparation and dissemination of monthly NRP Newsletter
Oversee establishment and continued updating of an NRP website
Travel regularly to villages and record anecdotes (good news stories) that demonstrate NRP benefits and publish them in the Newsletter and through other media.
Oversee the development and updating of NRP progress monitoring database as base input to newsletters and progress reports
Manage relationships with NRP stakeholders through preparing and implementing regular communications events
Work with the Community Development and Capacity Building Manager to prepare and implement a comprehensive community project socialization program
Contribute to six monthly reports
Other duties as requested and approved by the Team Leader.

Required Qualifications and Experience

At least a first degree in journalism, communication, public relations or a related field.
A minimum of 3 years experience in a related position such as project PR or managing community awareness campaigns preferably in an international development or disaster reconstruction context. These skills would be complimented by the ability to work as a team member, but with minimum supervision in remote and challenging environments.