FHI 360 is currently recruiting for the position of Communications and Media Specialist for a USAID/Kyrgyz Republic civic organizing program. This proposed five-year project will enable horizontal and vertical networks of individuals and organizations to advocate for and bring about change across issues that resonate with local communities and increase government responsiveness and accountability in the Kyrgyz Republic.
The Communications and Media Specialist will be responsible for capacity building of Kyrgyz civil society organizations, citizens, government officials, the private sector, and media partners, as well as promoting a strategic communications approach that will result in increased knowledge of and participation by all local stakeholders in project activities. The position is responsible for incorporating this approach as crosscutting to all project activities and amplifying the impact of the program in a manner that increases colaborative civic engagement between citizens and government institutions. The position will be required to have a strong network of current media outlets across a wide range of platforms and modalities, including print, radio, TV, and social media.
- Support strategic communications efforts to catalyze public demand for accountability and promote colaborative civic organizing, including designing and implementing media tools to help define key messages and serve as a delivery platform.
- Work with program management team to ensure effective implementation of media partners activities, including use of appropriate approaches (leaflets, billboards, radio, TV, social media, etc.) to increase participation in and knowledge of project activities; amplify project messages and impact.
- Technical support, guidance and mentoring to project staff, grantees, citizens,national and local administrations, media partners.
- Work with the Chief of Party, partners, and staff to design innovative strategies that support partners comunication and advocacy efforts.
- Maintain in-depth understanding of issues affecting both the media community and the civil society community in Kyrgyzstan, including security and political factors.
- Provide input to project activity design for program management staff, and M&E staff.
- Develop tools for the design and implementation of technical strategies and project components.
- Represent the organization to external entities at professional meetings and conferences.
- Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with a wide array of project partners: community activists, youth leaders, CSOs, relevant government agencies, donors, other implementing organizations, FHI 360 colleagues, etc.
- At least 10 years of experience in strategic communications, media advocacy and engagement on civic organising, transparency and accountability issues, or related fields.
- Five or more years of technical experience in dealing with multiple stakeholders, specifically on citizen participation, and governance programs, with preference given to experience in Central Asia; USAID programs preferred.
- Substantial experience with a broad range of platforms, including radio, TV, social and digital media.
- Experience in journalism training and media capacity-building preferred.
- Knowledge of USAID policies and procedures;
- Knowledge of the political, social, cultural, environmental, and development context of the Central Asia (Kyrgyz Republic) experience preferred;
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in Kyrgyz and Russian required, English preferred.
- This job description summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.
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