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Job Description:
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About CRS:
Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the
United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic
identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part
of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who
share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.
Job Summary:
The Dakar-based Regional Information Officer (RIO) will build upon and
implement a media/communications strategy for the West and Central Africa
regions in order to build awareness about CRS and our programs to the U.S.
media. The candidate will provide timely information on CRS activities
to HQ staff, U.S. correspondents in the region and U.S.-based news outlets
during times of emergency and heightened media coverage. Through the
use of skilled writing and research, the candidate will compile human interest
stories for the benefit of the Agency's Catholic constituency in the U.S.
He/she will write profile pieces, op-eds, press releases and other materials
aimed at educating and informing the U.S. constituency and CRS donors about
the Agency's programming and how their money has been spent.
Specific Job Responsibilities:
Media Relations
• Develop and implement, in collaboration with the Communications
Officer for Sub-Saharan Africa in Baltimore, a comprehensive media strategy
for the West and Central Africa regions focusing efforts on outreach to U.S.
audiences - media outlets and CRS donors in particular.
• Establish and maintain relationships with national and international
media representatives based in the region to increase awareness in the U.S.
of CRS projects and priority issues. Become a vital resource of information
for journalists, feed them story ideas and keep them abreast of CRS
activities.
• Consistently seek out newsworthy stories for U.S. media consumption.
• Serve as media spokesperson for the West and Central Africa regions,
under the direction of the West Africa Regional Director and the Central
Africa Regional Director.
• Represent CRS in meetings with other NGOs on issues relating to media,
information exchange, or joint public statements.
• Stay abreast of regional news trends to tie in CRS angles as
appropriate.
• Serve as regionally based resource for staff on all issues relating to
media and public relations, public appearances, and external information
exchange.
• Host media training workshops and other key communications/PR training
for CRS field staff.
• Coordinate all visits by the media in the field, arrange interviews
with key CRS staff when necessary, and provide key messages and talking
points to interviewees for interview preparation.
• Research, analyze, and write press releases, position papers,
articles, country profiles for the web, op-eds and other pieces that further
the objectives of the Communications Unit, the region and the Agency as a
whole.
Story Development
• Establish and maintain relationships with HQ-based Charitable Giving
and Marketing staff, including Communications, Publications, Web and Annual
Giving. Become a vital resource of regional stories for Charitable Giving and
Marketing staff, and keep them abreast of CRS activities.
• Consistently seek out compelling stories for U.S. constituents'
consumption.
• Travel throughout the West Africa and Central Africa regions to gather
information on CRS and partner programs.
• Write compelling human interest and CRS success stories, take photos
and videos, and write content for other public relations information pieces.
These pieces will in turn be utilized for the web site as well as for
distribution to the Agency's extensive donor base through direct mail pieces
and e-newsletters.
• In conjunction with Communications and Publications staff, coordinate
visits of videographers and/or photographers to the region.
Marketing & Public Relations
• Incorporate emphasis on appropriate branding in regional training.
• Ensure that CRS staff that are interviewed or photographed have access
to appropriate CRS-branded wear, and, where feasible, that appropriate
signage is visible on program vehicles, buildings, and items to be
distributed.
• Provide on-the-ground support for visiting delegations by members of
the Executive Leadership Team, bishops, key CRS donors or U.S. diocesan
partners.
• When applicable, work with country programs to develop and/or
coordinate quality promotional materials for diverse audiences and stakeholders,
including donors, peer organizations and practitioners, governments, etc.
Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)
These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by
each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the
desired results.
• Serves with Integrity
• Models Stewardship
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships
• Promotes Learning
Supervisory Responsibilities: N/A
Key Working Relationships:
Internal: Overseas: Field staff. HQ: Marketing &
Communications Department, Charitable Giving, Overseas Support Department,
U.S. Operations
External: CRS partners, local, international and U.S. media,
local government officials.
Personal Skills:
• Self-motivated, proactive
• Strong research and analytical skills
• Ability to deal effectively with deadlines
• Strong representational skills
• Team player
• Ability to work in harsh and challenging environments
Qualifications:
• Master’s degree in journalism/communications preferable
• 5 - 7 years’ work experience in journalism, communications and
public/media relations
• Fluent French speaker
• Solid understanding of U.S. media and U.S. audience
• Experience working with international non-governmental organizations
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Overseas work experience, preferably in the developing world
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 30%
Required Foreign Language: French
Required Travel: Up to 30% in challenging and
sometimes harsh environments.
Disclaimer:
This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties,
and responsibilities associated with the position.
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