Communications officer

The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) is looking for experienced Team Leaders, Civil Protection Experts, Civil Protection Experts specialised in GIS, and Communications Officers for capacity development programmes. The programmes are carried out in various parts of the world and the objectives are to strengthen civil protection and disaster risk reduction capacities at local, regional and national level.

The activities to be carried out in the framework of the programmes could for example include to:

• improve risk mapping,
• strengthen prevention and preparedness capacities at local, national and regional level,
• improve capacities for a coordinated, effective and efficient disaster response,
• improve public information and awareness of populations regarding risk and exposure,
• improve the legislative framework in the area of civil protection/disaster management in the partner countries.

The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) is looking for an experienced communication officer for an EU financed civil protection programme in the eastern ENPI region

Duties

• Support to local/national counterparts in developing their organization(s) capacity within increasing public awareness.
• Develop, manage and implement the communications work plan for the program
• Build up, manage and improve media relations including using social media e.g. interacting with journalists; preparing suitable messages, press releases, info packages, briefings, articles and background papers; organizing press events; evaluating impacts etc.
• Support development of public awareness and crisis communication strategies and tools.
• Manage public procurement, contracts and projects to provide external communication services and products (such as online tools, audiovisual productions, publications or visuals) by external service providers.

Qualifications

Experience

• Proven experience in working in multicultural environments;
• Demonstrated project management experience;
• Experience of working with the EU Civil Protection Mechanism is a clear advantage.
• A minimum of 10 years' experience in communication, preferably with the experience in the ENPI East region

Education

• University degree in the relevant field is an advantage;

Languages

• Proficiency in English and good knowledge of Russian is a requirement. Ability to speak and understand one of the ENPI East languages would be an advantage.

Other requriements

• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple tasks;
• Ability to plan and work independently without supervision;
• Excellent skills in technical writing;
• Excellent management and interpersonal skills;
• Knowledge of the relevant civil protection frameworks and tools as well as of international frameworks/tools and regulations is required.
• Good understanding of related government policies and programmes in the ENPI East region is a strong asset
• Knowledge of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism is an important asset.
• Ability to negotiate with counterpart government officials and with other technical agencies;
• Candidates must be ready to relocate to the recipient countries fully or in periods as needed for the programme

Profile

We are looking for men and women with a strong commitment towards capacity development and disaster operations. It is of utmost priority that candidates understand, respect and act in the sprit of the mandate and core values of the MSB. The candidate must possess a high level of professional and personal maturity together with an ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, managers and external partners, such as UN organisations, NGOs, recipient governments and host populations. Candidates must be able to interact with sensitivity and display respect for diversity and gender in multi-cultural environments.

Contractual conditions

All MSB operational personnel are registered on a roster which contains a wide range of professions and competencies. Individuals recruited to the roster take the MSB’s introduction course and any specialist training courses required. It is from this roster that we select personnel when an operation is to be executed. Working with the MSB on an overseas operation means that personnel from the roster are temporarily employed by the MSB. The MSB pays wages, insurances, travel costs and subsistence allowance during the operation. In addition, participants on introduction courses and relevant specialist training courses receive remuneration from the MSB.