Media Relations Consultant at Nile Basin Initiative

1.0 Assignment
The NBI Secretariat is seeking to engage a Junior Communication Consultant to provide technical assistance in the area of Media Relations and Social Media for the Secretariat. Working closely with and reporting to the Regional Communication Specialist, he/she will be responsible for the following:

1.1 Media Relations
• Engage and build effective relations with the media, with the over-arching message to media professionals to help create a new norm that brings Nile Cooperation to the fore of communication agenda setting.
• Liaise with and support NBI National Desk Officers and Communication Officers of Ministries in charge of Water Affairs in engaging national media on issues related to Nile cooperation and NBI
• Seek for media opportunities that NBI can utilize to disseminate information
• Coordinate responses to and manage requests from media experts and speakers on a wide variety of subjects/issues on NBI and the Nile Basin.
• Organize press conferences, press briefings and media coverage. 
• Organise media training workshops and journalists’ visits to investment project sites and Nile Basin environmental assets.
• Enhance regular media monitoring and content analysis – daily tracking of media coverage (such as use of press releases, coverage of Nile issues in the media, compilation of frequent factual errors, etc) 
• Identify and develop a list of key media outlets in each NBI Member State, in terms of listenership, viewership, readership, circulation and credibility.
• Pursue proactive outreach to maintain relationships with Editors in each NBI Member State including establishing and maintaining a database of the Editors
• Pursue proactive outreach to and establish and maintain relationships with key journalists and opinion writers on issues relevant to NBI’s work in each NBI Member State including establishing and maintaining a database of the journalists and opinion writers 
• Organise media engagement activities at national level including: Press briefings; Press conferences; ‘Meet the Press’ panel discussions; Editors breakfast; Talk shows; Courtesy calls to media houses.

1.2 Social Media
• Maintain NBI social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook, YouTube , Flicker
• Develop content for and provide regular updates on the different social media platforms/channels 
• In consultation with Communication Specialist and other staff, respond to comments and inquiries for additional information on the social media platforms
• Facilitate the internet based discussion board
• Connect and initiate strategic alliances with regional and national NBI stakeholders
• Update NBI guidelines for use of social media when need arises
• Provide support to NBI staff in the use of social media
• Monitor on-line traffic to assess and analyse NBI social media platforms and document good practices (on a quarterly basis)
• Explore new uses of communications technologies and software including new social media tools that might of interest to NBI and recommend those media tools for use by NBI; when approved, expand the communication media with these new additions
• As required, provide on-site communication coverage to NBI events with near real-time posting of news, press releases, blogs, social media entries, etc. 
• Support Organisation and implementation of social media campaigns to raise traffic and awareness (e.g. competitions on issues/topics relevant to NBI’s work
• Improve work flow and process related to social media, website management and posting
• Maintain photo and video repository for efficient reference

1.3 Communication products
• Provide support in the production and dissemination of targeted information, communication and visibility products.
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2.0 Key Relationships:
? Regional Communication Specialist
? Regional Stakeholder Participation Specialist
? Projects Officer
? National Desk Officer
? Communication Officer of the Ministry in charge of Water Affairs in the Member States

3.0 Qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience required
• Bachelors Degree or higher in Mass Communications, Journalism or any related field; specialized training in building effective media relations and the use of social media will be an added advantage. 
• At least three years of proven experience in media relations and use of social media platforms as a tool for development communication and/or mass mobilization 
• Clear verbal and written communication skills
• Interviewing skills, experience in video recording and editing
• Ability to distil clear messages from technical documents and excellent analytical skills
• Initial professional experience in development communication; including writing for specific audiences and selection of the most effective communications mediums 
• Proven ability to sell stories to journalists
• Ability to regularly monitor the various media outlets
• Ability to work in a multi-task and multi-deadline environment
• Ability to maintain concentration as work is subject to frequent interruptions
• Fluency in English, knowledge of French is an asset

4.0 Duration
Six months initially, with possibility for extension for another six months, depending on performance

5.0 How to apply
Interested candidates should submit latest Curriculum Vitae to the Executive Director, Nile Basin Initiative Secretariat on email; mediarelations@nilebasin.org. The deadline for application is 24th March, 2015