JOB DETAILS:
BACKGROUND:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the world's leading crisis response agencies, providing life-saving assistance and supporting recovery and reconstruction for people affected by war and natural disasters. Active in public health, education, livelihoods, women's empowerment, youth development, and protection and promotion of rights, IRC assists people from harm to home.

The IRC was registered in Uganda in mid-1998 and implements rehabilitation activities in the sectors of Child and Youth Protection and development, Health, Economic recovery and Development and women protection and empowerment as well as contributing to the response to the Southern Sudanese Refugee situation. IRC Uganda has a head office in Kampala (Country Office, PlayMatters and Urban), field offices in Kiryandongo, Lamwo, Moroto, Kyaka and West Nile.

SCOPE OF WORK:
The Multimedia and Communications officer will work under the direct supervision of the Deputy Project Coordinator – Project and Grants Management and in close collaboration with project workstreams to support multimedia and communications aspects. The role will also have a dotted reporting line to the IRC Uganda Communication and Advocacy Coordinator. s/he will support the design and implementation of demand-driven multimedia and communications resources to support the overall project outcomes in Uganda.
The position will support external and internal communications, graphic design, and content creation (including photography and videography) for PlayMatters-Uganda. The role is also responsible for producing or directly supporting the creation and implementation of innovative solutions for reaching a broad audience through a variety of digital avenues. The solutions are intended to enhance the engagement of male and female community members, parents, teachers, system actors, and potentially children directly, all reinforcing the learning through play (LtP) principles promoted through the PlayMatters initiatives.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
Technical implementation of project activities:
• Draft, edit, and distribute various types of content, including material for the PlayMatters website, blogs, press releases, media articles and other types of content for public consumption.
• Produce visual content for project events including but not limited to flyers, digital invitations and/or posters, video teasers, video recaps.

• Conduct client interviews to collect stories of change, case studies and other relevant project content.
• Support video, and photo coverage for project events and documentation for dissemination to various audiences and reports.

• Collaborate with management to develop and implement an effective communications strategy for PlayMatters based on our target audience.

• Create and produce internal newsletters for the project as agreed.
• Design promotional items like reports, PowerPoints, and other IEC materials.

• Coordinate identification and drafting of articles and success stories for internal and external communications and the PlayMatters website.
• Support the development and roll-out of communications, brand, and visibility concepts and materials.

• Work closely with the consortium partners and the technical leads to identify the needs and opportunities for multimedia content development and dissemination.
• Support project staff as needed in sharing knowledge on design and communications activities.

• Contribute to monitoring multimedia solutions, documents, and manage collected data, and disseminate learnings to key stakeholders.
• Engage in need assessment to identify soft and hardware requirements and specific implementation needs. Coordination, representation, and partner/stakeholder relationships:
• Develop and maintain working relationships with journalists from multiple media outlets at the national and community level and disseminate audio-visual content, community outreach activities and spot messages including print and electronic with guidance from the country Communications and Advocacy Coordinator.

• Ensure regular and accurate coverage in the media particularly during special days/events in consultation with, IRC Uganda Communications and Advocacy Coordinator and other relevant project staff and partners.
• Working closely with the consortium partners and the technical leads to identifying needs and opportunities for multimedia content development and dissemination.

Monitoring, reporting and communication responsibilities.
• Support in the preparations for advocacy activities and writing reports.
• Maintain records of media coverage and collate analytics and metrics.
• Liaise with the MEAL team to proactively monitor multimedia solutions, documents, manage collected data, and disseminate learnings to key stakeholders.
• Manage relationships with partners especially where conflicts arise in media related activities and escalate to management.
• Participate in regular team meetings and supervision sessions as and when needs arise. Ensure that all the required multimedia and communication materials are ready for info sessions before the activity.

Partnerships and GEDI
• Offer any other support to IRC partners as and when required to do so.
• Promote a safe and respectful environment by participating in safeguarding training and activities, and by supporting other colleagues to understand and comply with safeguarding policies.

Other duties
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable implementation of the IRC programs,
• Raise purchase requests as and when required.
• Work constructively within the team and take the initiative on new tasks.

Qualifications
Requirements:
• At least 1-2 years of relevant communication, writing skills, graphic design, illustration, and audio-visual production experience.
• Strong team player.
• Good writing skills, verbal, and non-verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively in a multi-cultural environment with international and national colleagues and partners.
• Experience in writing press releases, communication stories and pitching/spotting stories.
• Basic proficiency using creative graphic design and video production software, including but not limited to: Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Premier Pro, Final Cut pro and/or related software for graphic design and video production to produce aesthetically pleasing and engaging materials for a wide audience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, using DSLR cameras and other video production equipment.
• Good organizational skills: the ability to be flexible and work well under pressure, dealing with competing priorities, in a fast-paced team environment.
• Detail-oriented and good multi-tasking abilities to meet multiple deadlines.
• Strong understanding of the Uganda Education System and humanitarian crises and contexts may be an added advantage.
• Works well in the refugee contexts and promotes teamwork, comfortable in a multi- cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure well.
• Demonstratable ability to engage and build excellent working relationships with local partner organizations, create synergies while implementing the project is vital.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to perform in their positions successfully.