Job Title: COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER - WATER ESTABLISHMENT PROFILE RAISING

Reporting to: Director General of BEKAA WATER ESTABLISHMENT (BWE)

Location: Zahlé – Bekaa and Baalbeck-Hermel, Lebanon

Contract Duration: 12 months

Job Summary:

The Communications Officer will have to implement a targeted communications strategy, to participate in building well-functioning communications services, to provide technical assistance and day-to-day support in the field of communications, customer relations, and community relations programs, and in developing and implementing the plan of action and to prepare the budget based on the signed-off communications strategy and the endorsed plan of action by BWE.

Duties and Responsibilities:

- Meet and liaise at the start and throughout the project (at least bi-monthly) with the Director General (DG) of BWE, and his/her counterpart staff members nominated and assigned by the DG of BWE, together with WASH Communications Specialist, and WASH staff.

- Document and share with the UN Agency outcomes of meetings.

- Prepare a work plan in consultation with the UN Agency for the period of the project, outlining the timeline for deliverables and activities, liaison and reporting.

- Advise and assist the DG of BWE, and head of Customer Relations and Communications (CRC) team in managing and developing the work CRC team.

- Carry on the implementation of the communications strategy and plan of action, suggest new activities and program that helps BWE to increase its pro-active communications and visibility.

- Assist in the update and upgrade of BWE communications strategy and plan of action, by collecting, developing, and incorporating comments from key stakeholders throughout the project progress and implementation.

- Assist BWE in developing and building a 3-year communications strategic plan (2018 – 2020).

- Lead and support the communications and customer relations team at BWE in review, update, write, edit, and produce all communications materials as described in the communications strategy and plan of action, and develop the program that serves the customer relations and community based programs.

- Liaise with the UN Agency/WASH, COMMUNICATION, and C4D sections to fulfil his/her duty as communications officer at BWE.

- Be the focal point and liaise with BWE and third party agency, if any, in planning, development, and production of all sort of communications materials, tools, vehicles, branding, production, and other related activities to the communications strategy and plan of action.

- Monitor and evaluate the work program, the perception and satisfaction level about services provided by BWE through surveys, and be able to transform the outcomes and findings into recommendations to improve BWE communications, community based programs, and outreach.

- Develop key performance indicators, KPIs, to provide a performance measurement tool, and being able to benchmark against themselves and others at a later stage.

- Contribute actively in building annual calendar of activities for publications review and production, public services announcements, awareness and advocacy campaigns.

- Suggest the preparation and production of new communications materials as listed in the communications strategy and the plan of action.

Support the work of CRC team by providing necessary technical support, advice, knowledge and expertise transfer, and on-job training.

- Develop a manual for communications and customer relations services and activities (e.g., policies, procedures, workflow, forms, instructions, etc.).

- Provide assistance to BWE in strengthening the capacity of the team of communications and customer relations in handling day-to-day work, and provide technical advice when it is needed.

- Contribute in building and organizing the corporate library of publications and communications materials for BWE. (e.g., print materials, photos, ads, campaigns, circulars, audio-visuals, presentations, viral videos, TVC, etc…)

- Suggest community related programs to advocate the right to access a safe water, water quality, water sanitation and hygiene, water conservation, and to enroll new customers; and coordinate and liaise with WASH Sector Partners to support BWE programs to improve customer relations and engagement, and enhance relationship with community.

- Liaise with regional media and national media and broadcasting networks, and build media contact list, and ensure a systematic and pro-active media relations between BWE and the media community.

- Develop a press release and editorials calendar to cover and promote services improvements and advocate the right to access of a clean water, water quality, and water for all.

- Assist in producing a monthly internal newsletter - in electronic format -, to build and improve employees’ communications and relationships.

- Coordinate with the third party agency, if assigned, to follow up the development of the brand guidelines manual and its related applications, and ensure the implementation of the brand guidelines manual in all outreach and visibility materials.

- Celebrate World Water Day (22nd March) and World Toilet Day (19th November)

- Assist in the preparation and implementation of the crisis and emergency communications workshop, and be a member of the crisis and emergency communications team at BWE.

- Support BWE’s communications team in managing and updating the website, mobile application, and social media platforms.

- Work with the Ministry of MEW, BWE’s, and the UN Agency WASH and Communications teams to develop and communicate the work undertaken by the UN Agency in the sector.

- Undertake other tasks as required by BWE with the UN Agency endorsement.

To complete all the tasks, which requires travel and meetings that can only be set up depending on the schedules of others; the work plan should outline a complete project schedule that is updated monthly considering the following:

• Obtain existing survey data to gauge perceptions and issue, and undertake survey as needed; reimbursed

• Desk reviews;

• Meetings across the geographical zones of BWE, and country-wide when and where needed;

• Identify the needs for further ground research and discussions with people in the field;

• Finalize the work list in the scope of work, ensure the synchronization of activities and implement agreed components of the Action/Implementation Plan; and

• Work with the UN agency Sections: WASH, C4D, and COMMUNICATION to provide technical guidance to BWE on implementation of the agreed Strategy and Plan.

Requirements:

- Bachelor degree in Journalism, Public Relations, Audio-Visual Communications, Marketing, Marketing Communications, and Social Sciences.

- At least five years of relevant work experience in the region at national and international levels within the private sector, UN Agency and/or Lebanese government.

- Knowledge of managing website and social media.

- A proven record of experience in copywriting, editing, media production, corporate communications, advertising and campaigns management, and basic knowledge of illustrator. Photoshop and InDesign is an asset.

- A team player, attentive to details, organized, meticulous, and able to work under pressure.

- Excellent oral and written communications skills in Arabic and English; proven ability to work effectively in an inter-disciplinary, multi-cultural and multilingual environment.

- Knowledge of the MENA region and the Lebanon context is a strong asset.

- Past experience in working with the UN is an asset.

- Proven record in communications planning and communications strategy development.

- Past experience in working with the Lebanese Government and especially the Ministry of Energy and Water and Water Establishments is an asset, political sensitivity/ awareness is required.

- Fluency in English and Arabic is essential. Working knowledge of French is an asset.

Candidates can send their CVs to info@purplemartin-me.com (while mentioning the position as their subject) or they can apply through our website on the following link, Communication Officer