Communications Officer

Job Description

GOAL Sierra Leone 

EXTERNAL & INTERNAL ADVERTISEMENT 

General Description of GOAL’s Work in Sierra Leone 

GOAL has been present in Sierra Leone since 1999, with an overall aim to contribute to poverty and vulnerability  reduction through the implementation of integrated, multi-sectoral interventions, with a primary focus on improving  Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent health (RMNCAH) specifically addressing teenage  pregnancy. GOAL is also improving rural water supply, urban WASH focusing on faecal sludge management and  promoting social inclusion, empowerment and the promotion of decent work through systems-based programme  approaches and community led social and behavioral change. GOAL currently operates in Western Area Urban  (Freetown), Kambia, Bombali, Koinadugu, Moyamba and Kenema Districts, with funding from Irish Aid, Bill &  Melinda Gates Foundation, the European Union, Charity: Water and DFID.  

On this note, GOAL Sierra Leone would like to invite well experienced and professional applicants for the  undermentioned position: 

OVERVIEW  

The Communications Officer will support the Program Development and Quality Coordinator (PDQC) and play a  critical role in collecting material and developing and implementing traditional and innovative communications  campaigns to project GOAL Sierra Leone’s (SL) voice and profile our vision and program of work. The ideal  candidate will be a media and digital enthusiast, with exceptional writing skills and some graphic design and  photography skills and will have a strong interest in developing a career in communications.  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES  

RESPONSIBITY 1 

Assist the PDQC in creating a communications strategy and implementing the coordination and delivery  of the plan to achieve that strategy. 

• Task 1: Participate in field visits and assist in documenting the delivery and impact of GOAL programmes, in  partnership with the PDQC and the Technical and MEAL Country Teams. 
• Task 2: Draft pieces about program delivery and beneficiary stories, following field visits for GOAL SL and HQ  communications  

RESPONSIBILITY 2  

Assist in coordinating and facilitating branding of materials for GOAL SL  

• Task 1: Assist in ensuring the appropriate and consistent use of GOAL’s visual identity in internal and external  communications. 
• Task 2: Assist in the designing and commissioning the printing of information and visibility materials. RESPONSIBILITY 3

Assist in managing internal communication. 

• Task 1: Drive good organisation of GOAL SL communications related material (including photography and  video material) on SharePoint for easy access and effective institutional memory. 
• Task 2: Prepare and share GOAL SL quarterly internal and external newsletters. 

FURTHER DETAIL ON KEY RESPONSIBILITIES  

Content Development for internal and external engagement 

➢ Produce high-quality written stories that demonstrate GOAL SL’s impact for engagement on digital  channels, and for HQ. 

➢ Produce high quality, child-focused visual content (photography and/or video material) that inspires,  engages and positively transforms diverse audiences. 

➢ Support the production of high impact communications assets to facilitate GOAL’s external engagement  efforts and resource acquisition.

➢ Initiate relevant topical content in support of GOAL’s key priorities and key global moments for use to  engage audiences. 

➢ Develop and maintain positive working relationships with field staff to facilitate successful coordination  and planning of field visits. 

➢ Package and disseminate stories to GOAL HQ. 

➢ Ensure all content complies with GOAL’s safeguarding protocols. 

External communications 

➢ Develop and maintain key media contacts and build strategic relationships with media in SL, including  international news correspondents and wire agencies. 

➢ Proactively pursue opportunities to pitch compelling story ideas including press releases to the media. ➢ Coordinate, plan and facilitate media visits to GOAL SL programmes. 

➢ Assist PDQC as required with external donor communication.  

PERSON SPECIFICATION  

REQUIRED  

➢ A degree, diploma or equivalent in Communications, PR or Marketing or equivalent work experience in  an agency or in-house environment, with a proven track record of achievement.  

➢ Experience developing, monitoring and evaluating communications campaigns. 

➢ Proven ability to work independently and in a collaborative team environment. 

➢ Fluent business level English speaker 

➢ Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) 

➢ Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills, with an ability to work under pressure and meet  deadlines. 

➢ Strong time, project, and prioritisation management skills 

➢ Microsoft Office skills including Word, Excel and PowerPoint. 

➢ Agility in moving successfully between traditional media and social media. 

➢ Excellent writing and proof-reading skills 

➢ Impressive accuracy and eye for detail  

➢ Methodical, flexible, and capable of undertaking multitask driven work 

DESIRABLE  

➢ Some experience in graphic design, photography and videography  

➢ Experience in managing expectations from multiple key stakeholders. 

➢ Event coordination experience 

➢ Administrative experience  

➢ Outgoing, enthusiastic, self-starter who takes responsibility for his/her own work 

Requirements: 

GOAL Competencies: no more than five (See GOAL Competencies Framework) 

• Competency 1 and description (level) 
• Competency 2 and description (level) 
• Competency 3 etc… 

OTHER REQUIREMENT: 

The candidate should be willing to travel to the field for documentation purposes. 

Safeguarding Awareness  

Children and vulnerable adults a must be safeguarded to the maximum possible extent from deliberate or  inadvertent actions and failings that place them at risk of abuse, sexual exploitation, injury and any other harm.  One of the ways that GOAL shows this on-going commitment to safeguarding is to include rigorous background  and reference checks in the selection process for all candidates.  

Accountability within GOAL 

Alongside our safeguarding policy, GOAL is an equal opportunities employer and has a set of integrity policies.  Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to the following key areas of accountability: • Comply with GOAL’s policies and procedures with respect to safeguarding, Code of Conduct, health and  

safety, data protection and confidentiality, do no harm principles and unacceptable behaviour protocols. • Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within our  programming area. 

• Report any concerns about inappropriate behaviour of a GOAL staff or partner.

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS 

GOAL has a Staff Code of Conduct and a Child Protection Policy, which have been developed to ensure  the maximum protection of programme participants and children from exploitation. GOAL also has a  confidentiality policy ensuring the non-disclosure of any information whatsoever relating to the practices  and business of GOAL, acquired in the course of duty, to any other person or organization without  authority, except in the normal execution of duty. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected  to adhere to these policies any job offer made is also subject to police clearance. GOAL is an equal  opportunity employer. 

If you have these skills and interested in joining our committed and dynamic Communication Team, please send  your cover letter and up-to-date CV to jobs@sl.goal.ie. on or before 5:30 pm – 25th February, 2024  

please note that a copy of the application letter must be sent to the: NGO Desk Officer, Ministry of  Labour, New England or emailed to: employmentdesk71@gmail.com 

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview. 

HOW TO APPLY 

Interested candidates should apply with: 

• An application letter clearly justifying how they meet the selection criteria. • Recent Curriculum Vitae including names and full contact addresses of three  (3) referees, one of whom must be their current or most recent employer. 
• Candidates must state the position of each referee and his/her relationship  to the candidate. 
• Recent Police Clearance will be required from the successful candidate.

A commitment to GOAL values and GOAL’s integrity framework is critical to working with GOAL. Any  candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to the following key areas of accountability:  

1. Comply with GOAL’s policies and procedures with respect to safeguarding, code of conduct,  health and safety, confidentiality, do no harm principles and unacceptable behaviour protocols.  2. Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within  our programming area;  
2. Report any concerns about inappropriate behaviour of a GOAL staff or partner. 

GOAL provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the  basis of race, sex, colour, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability. 

“FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY”