Public Relation and Communication Officer at Project Harar Ethiopia (PHE)

Project Harar Ethiopia (PHE) is an Ethiopian resident charity, registered with the E.F.D.R Ethiopian Charities and Societies Agency. The charity works in the area of facial disability, congenital anomalies including cleft lip and palate; create awareness, demand and access to quality services PHE has a unique collaboration and a Memorandum of Understanding with the founding charity, Project Harar UK and the two organizations work closely to fulfil their mutual goals.

PHE collaborates with government sector organizations in health, women and social affairs departments, and with NGOs and local communities, to identify people with facial disfigurements and arranges for them to access free medical treatment and rehabilitation. PHE also works in community-based rehabilitation (speech therapy), in demand and awareness creation programmes targeted to health extension and social workers, as well as risk reduction interventions among mothers and communities in its active regions

Functional summary

Public relations practitioners’ providers also communication services to organizations by giving advice to management, planning and implementing communication activities and evaluating their effectiveness. He/she will perform as spokesperson, as a liaison role to different stakeholders. It will promote the organizations activities. Perform the enhancement of the organizations communications affairs.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Act as spoke person of the organization
• Participate in cleft missions, record stories, data, take professional pictures
• Work closely with both PHE& PHUK
• Ability to navigate through different social media platforms for professional use.
• Monitor public opinion about the organizations
• Advises management on policy issues and communication strategies;
• Plan public relation programs including preparing budgets;
• Present proposals and justifications on behalf of an organization (lobbying) to other organizations and special interest groups;
• Liaison with the public and responds to inquiries about the organization
• Liaison with the print and television media to respond to inquiries, arranging press meets, prepare and distribute news releases and make statements;
• Write, edit and arrange production of print materials of the organization
• Participate in the preparation of organizational documents such as annual reports and organizational profiles;
• Takes care of all the publications, newsletters, brochures, poster and other related documents;
• Ensure good relationship with relevant government body, members, partners and donors;
• Ensure there is adequate media coverage to all deliberations of the organization;
• Write speeches, prepare visuals aids and make public presentations;
• Organizes special events such as open days, visits, exhibitions and functions;
• Conduct internal communication courses, workshops and media training;
• Evaluate communication activities and recommend future actions.
• Prepare ways to promote the organization by generating public support to the cause
• Working closely with stakeholders, donors and partner

Personal Qualities:

• Able to write concisely, effectively, impressively and convincingly
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Interest in current affairs and organizational skills
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Computer skills
• Creative in audio visual material development
• Experienced in photography
• Ability to travel outside Addis where Cleft mission will be held

Location:  Addis Ababa, frequent travel across the regions

Knowledge, Skills and Qualifications

Professional/ Qualifications

• Required፡ BA in Mass Communication and Journalism/ English and Foreign Language/ Social Sciences
• Minimal፡ Master’s degree in Public relation/ Mass Communication and Journalism
• Desirable፡ English and Foreign Language/ Social Sciences

Relevant Experience

• Minimal፡ PR working experience in NGOs

Length of Experience

• Minimal፡ 5 years of experience in the field of  public relation, mass communication and journalism
• Desirable፡ 2 years in the field of mass communication and journalism

Key Skills

• Audio visual and journalistic flair and experience preferred
• Pleasing and impressive personality with good communication skills
• Excellent writing skills
• Experienced on health related projects
• Personal Attributes
• Creative, dynamic and convincing skills