CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty and providing lifesaving assistance in emergencies. Founded in 1945, it is now a global confederation composed of 14 members and four affiliates, working in 104 countries around the world. CARE places special focus on working alongside women and children, who are often disproportionately affected by disasters, and assists them in becoming self-reliant and empowered, and attaining their basic rights and needs. When women and girls are equipped with the proper resources, they have the power to help lift whole families and entire communities out of poverty.

CARE International in Turkey provides assistance to people affected by the Syria crisis both in Syria and in Turkey. In Turkey, CARE supports refugees, and vulnerable members from the host community through a multi-sectoral response focused on protection, basic needs, and economic empowerment;especially women, girls and boys – to become self-reliant, empowered and able to achieve basic needs and rights. CARE has also assists communities affected by armed conflict and/or displacement in Northwest Syria, through its cross-border program. CARE implements humanitarian and development programs through many partners inside Syria in five sectors: Emergency Response, Food Security and Livelihoods, Protection, WASH and Women Economic Empowerment. Our programing supports early recovery efforts. Recently, CARE has begun to directly implement projects in Jarablus through an area office in Northern Aleppo.

The Advocacy and Communications Manager will lead the Country Office efforts in effective communication and advocacy strategy development and implementation, coordinating closely with CARE’s Regional Syria Response communications, advocacy and capacity to ensure priorities are aligned with regional and global objectives, and consistent with CARE International members.  S/he will play a significant role in shaping the external face and policy engagement of CARE and will work closely with program team members, as well as CARE’s MENA Regional Management Unit, to ensure the development and dissemination of targeted and measurable advocacy messages and communications.

S/he ensures CARE Turkey strategic communications and advocacy related activities are in line with programmatic strategic and further CARE’s mission in Turkey. The Advocacy and Communications Manager leads on the development and implementation of country goals in the area of communications, media, marketing, information, and any relevant campaigns. This includes, but is not limited to, promoting CARE’s Global and Regional Campaigns at country level; enhancing country office communications (internal and external); optimizing documentation; and building brand and organizational visibility, image and profile related to all projects and other interventions being implemented.

S/he is expected to demonstrate high levels of personal initiative, will build excellent working relationships with local and national networks and serve as lead contributor to ensure the provision of timely, quality and compelling information to the public about CARE’s work, working closely with CARE’s Regional Syria Response colleagues.  This position is based at CARE Turkey’s Gaziantep office and will support CARE’s field offices/project sites in the implementation of a variety of projects and initiatives. This position will report to the Country Director, with a dotted line to Regional Syria Response Advocacy and Communications focal points. The Advocacy and Communications Manager is part of CARE Turkey’s senior management team.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

Job Responsibility #1: Communications (30% of Time)

• Lead and coordinate the development of CARE Turkey’s communications strategy in alignment with programmatic objectives, donor visibility requirements, and key communications priorities and goals for the regional Syria crisis.
• Work closely with regional Syria Response communications and member offices to research and write stories that contribute to regional and global public campaigns, key events and commemoration days, related to CARE’s programs.
• In liaison with program staff, assist with campaigning initiatives in relation to CARE’s local campaigns, ensuring appropriate messages for the local context.
• Establish, strengthen and maintain strategic partnership with national media and public relations partners in order to boost CARE’s image, profile and visibility in the Country.
• Ensure that all CARE Turkey communication/media activities conform with CARE International standards, principles and guidelines.
• Ensure CARE Turkey’s information products comply with global CARE branding and corporate identity, as well as with donor branding and visibility guidelines.
• Coordinate and lead on the development of an annual newsletter and/or annual reports production for internal and external distribution.
• Lead developing and updating communications tools, including program briefs, factsheets and brochures, related to CARE’s mission, vision and standards.
• Ensure that CARE Turkey is well positioned in country and known as a global organization focused on women and girl’s empowerment.
• Ensure all staff are aware of and follow the Syria Response communications policies and protocols.

Job Responsibility #2: Advocacy on Syrian Refugee issues in Turkey (30% of Time)

• Lead the development and implementation of an advocacy strategy, working closely with SMT and program colleagues, to further CARE’s mission to advance key protection and assistance priorities for Syrian refugees in Turkey, with emphasis on women and girls.
• Coordinate with the SMT, program teams, and regional advocacy colleagues to develop and regularly update key public and private advocacy messages, campaigns, position papers, and documents in line with strategic advocacy objectives on the protection and assistance of Syrian refugees in Turkey.
• Advise Turkey SMT and program staff on key local advocacy issues, and coordinate with the Syria Crisis Advocacy and Policy Coordinator (Sub-regional) to ensure that Turkey SMT and program colleagues remain informed of, and – where appropriate – involved in regional and global level advocacy initiatives.
• Lead the implementation of a collective impact model through cultivating relationships with other civil society actors and developing partnerships and coordination towards achieving joint goals.
• Initiate and actively contribute to joint NGO advocacy positions, messages and initiatives, as prioritized in the CARE Turkey advocacy strategy, and with a focus on the perspective of and impact on women and girls.
• Participate in advocacy forums at CO level and communicate CARE’s experience and position to a wider audience.
• Represent CARE Turkey at donor meetings, high-level visits, UN meetings, government of Turkey coordination meetings and cluster and other coordination meetings, as appropriate.

Job Responsibility #3: Support Syria sub-regional and global advocacy and communications (25% of Time)

• Represent the Turkey office in the annual sub-regional workshop to develop the Syria Crisis (regional and global) advocacy strategy.
• Participate in annual communications meetings to develop the Syria Crisis and parallel CARE Turkey communications strategies.
• Actively contribute to CARE regional and global advocacy and communications efforts (and the work of the Syria Crisis Advocacy and Communications leads) through the provision of up to date information and analysis about the situation affecting Syrian refugees in Turkey, as well as the evolving humanitarian and protection needs, and humanitarian response in the North West of Syria.
• Participate in Sub-regional communications calls with the Senior Syria Crisis Communications Manager (Sub-regional) and other communications focal points to discuss and update plans, depending on needs and evolving context in the Syria Crisis.
• In consultation and coordination with the Syria Crisis Advocacy and Policy Coordinator (Sub-Regional), represent CARE NW NGO Forum in Advocacy working groups meetings, as requested and report back on key issues and initiatives.
• In coordination and consultation with the Syria Crisis Advocacy and Policy Coordinator (Sub-Regional) advance Turkey-specific advocacy priorities by developing positons and analysis for use at the global level.
• Support/provide inputs into the Syria sub-regional (related to Syria and Syrian refugees throughout the region) and regional advocacy strategy (with a regional-wide GBV/GiE focus) and initiatives, as managed by the Sr. Syria Crisis Advocacy Coordinator and Regional Advocacy Adviser respectively.
• In consultation with the Turkey Country Office SMT and the Sub-Regional Communications lead, support/provide input into regional Syria response talking points on key cross border and refugee-related issues for engagement with internal and external audiences, including for the media.

Job Responsibility #4: Staff Management and Collaboration (15% of Time)

• Directly manage a communications coordinator and ensure clear assignment of tasks and division of labor.
• Develop and support project managers in their communications and visibility work within the respective projects ensuring plans are of high quality, compliant with donor regulations, and projects have an up to date plan which is executed in a timely manner.
• Support the development of communication skills of key program colleagues at CARE Turkey communication skills by providing trainings, guidance, and support to the staff members to effectively perform their duties and promote a strong team spirit.
• Collaborate with media and communications focal points from within different programs in the field and build their capacity to support communications and storytelling.
• Monitor the work of the team through regular follow up, and ensures the team produces timely reports, and key responsibilities.
• Support her or his team members in their everyday work through, advising and coaching, to ensure that the team receive the required technical and logistical support.
• Conduct annual performance appraisal as per the organizations policies and procedure.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Training

Required:

• A minimum of University Degree or equivalent in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Media Studies, International Relations or Marketing. Masters’ Degree in Communication, Public Relations, Journalism, Media Studies, International Relations or Marketing is desirable.

Managerial Know How

• Involves integrating and harmonizing requirements of diverse functions in operating, support, and administrative situations. It may be exercised through consultation as well as direct action; Management requires a combination of planning, organizing, controlling, and reviewing along with direct and indirect execution. This position requires (Diverse) managerial know-how. 

Experience Required:

• The position requires a minimum professional experience of 5-7 years leading and supporting developing communications and advocacy material.
• Experience of leading advocacy and communications initiatives in a challenging environment.
• Strong influencing skills.
• Proven ability to design effective communication products, lead formulation of communication messages and strategies.
• Evidence of excellent verbal and written communication skills for a wide range of different audiences including donors, journalists and the ‘general public’.
• Experience in communicating about humanitarian aid, journalism (broadcast or print), or related field such as media/public relations.
• Excellent skills in writing press releases and speeches, presentation and public speaking and event management skills.
• Strong understanding of digital communications and social media.
• Experience in gender-based violence and women’s empowerment.
• An initiative-taking, proactive, inspiring attitude with the ability to manage and prioritize an unpredictable workload and solve problems quickly with limited support.
• Good photographic knowledge and ability to deliver photographs and case studies from affected communities.
• Excellent understanding of (CO, CARE International) communication and information needs across fundraising, media and campaigning activities.
• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy.
• Commitment to the aims and values of CARE International in Turkey.

Desired:

• Multimedia and digital media skills.
• Graphic design skills.

Language Skills Required:

• Fluency/working proficiency in both English and Turkish (written and verbal).

Desired:

• Fluency/ working proficiency in Arabic (written and verbal).

Skills Required

• Good knowledge of local operating environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong team player and experienced collaborator with people from different cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent English writing, editing and verbal communication skills needed to motivate, convince, and/or change behavior or attitude of contacts.
• Must be guided by sound ethical principles and transparency on work.
• People Skills: Ability to work independently and as part of a team, who demonstrates leadership and is able to support team members and work with disaster-affected communities in a sensitive and participatory manner.
• Excellent coaching, problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Flexibility in accepting work assignments and willingness to assume duties and responsibilities in all communications areas, as needed.
• Outstanding organizer and community synthesizer. Has the capacity and experience doing community field work.
• Strong analytical skills and strategic thinking.
• Excellent attention to details, highly motivated and innovative.
• Effective in negotiation, networking, campaigning and representation skills.
• IT Skills: Strong computer skills, including excellent use of Microsoft Office Suite, such as Word and Excel programs, photo editing software, and other desktop publishing software.
• Good basic photographic knowledge and multimedia skills, such as video production, photo management and graphic design.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Travel: This position will be based in Gaziantep and will require travelling to CARE’s field offices when there is a need.
• Duration of Contract: One-year renewable – contract extension is dependent on performance review and funding availability.
• Benefits: Social security/Health Insurance & Transport allowance.
• Safety and Security: CARE’s Safety and Security Officer is available for advice and guidance.

Child Protection Policy

Child abuse in all forms is unacceptable to CARE Turkey, which recognizes its responsibility to protect children from harm in all areas of its work. CARE Turkey is committed to ensuring a child-safe environment and is applying a zero-tolerance approach towards any kind of child abuse and exploitation.

Discrimination, Abuse and Harassment Policy

CARE Turkey expressly prohibits and will not tolerate any form of discrimination, abuse, harassment (sexual or otherwise), based upon race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship status, disability, or military status. CARE employees and related personnel must under no circumstances take part in any form of discrimination, harassment, or abuse (physical, sexual or verbal), intimidation or exploitation, or in any other way infringe the rights of others inside or outside CARE.

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested candidates, please attach a Curriculum Vitae in English and a Cover letter (in a separate file of no more than one A4 page) describing how your skills and experience match the requirements of this post, following to provided link when you click on the apply button.

Applications in languages other than English will not be reviewed.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted

** CARE International is an Equal Opportunity Employer **

** Female candidates are encouraged to apply! **