Context

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance – International IDEA – is an Inter-Governmental Organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. Its objective is to strengthen democratic institutions and processes. The Institute acts as a catalyst for democracy building by providing global comparative knowledge resources and tools, policy proposals and supporting democratic reforms in response to specific national requests, specifically in electoral processes, constitution building processes, political participation and representation, democracy and climate change, and democracy and digitalization.

International IDEA Sierra Leone is a European Union-funded project titled: ‘Sierra Leone Democracy Strengthening Project’. The Project aims to support democratic institutions and civil society, including the media, toward credible and peaceful conduct of the 2023 elections and the democratic governance and reform processes in the years after the elections to contribute to further consolidation of democratic gains in the country.

The Communications Officer position will contribute to all public information activities of the project, including through print, digital and broadcast media; and will act as liaison for the project’s implementing partners in all matters related to public communication and visibility. These tasks require interfacing with multiple partners to gather information, prioritizing content, and staying ahead of news and events. Tasks will include updating the programme website and uploading key publications and events, producing the quarterly newsletter and liaising with regional and head office communication units. The Communications Officer handles writing, editing and targeting dissemination for the promotion of the project’s events and results. The Communications Officer will ensure results are in line with International IDEA’s and donor’s communications strategies. The Communications Officer provides support to the staff and partners in accordance with the project’s needs and requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provides communications and media support to the International IDEA office in Sierra Leone and to all partners within the project;
2. Regularly coordinates and hosts communications meetings with the focal points of all partners to stay informed about planned activities, upcoming events and campaigns, and provide guidance and support;
3. Leads the project’s branding and visibility activities;
4. Coordinates inputs from project partners, and uploads content generated by the project to the relevant communication forums;
5. Updates the programme website and publicizes project events including regular communication with the website developers;
6. Maintains the project’s social media platforms;
7. Responds to media/press inquiries and pitches Op-Eds and stories to media for placement;
8. Maintains the project database by soliciting inputs from implementing partners and including International IDEA updates;
9. Undertakes regular media monitoring (on social and traditional media) for references to project activities;
10. Contributes to and regularly updates the project’s press list;
11. Serves as a content editor. Writes and edits web articles, tweets, social media posts, press releases and other outreach content as necessary;
12. Coordinates the timely content development of a monthly newsletter with project colleagues and manages an editorial calendar for the proposed content and themes;
13. Works in close coordination with project colleagues to ensure that the project communicates according to the donor Communications and Visibility Strategy;
14. Creates clear infographics and digital assets for use online and in presentations. Handles digital art manipulation;
15. Provides content for the donors public communication channels in close coordination with the Programme Manager and ensures adequate visibility of the donor of the project throughout all project communication activities;
16. Monitors and reports on impact and analytics. Generates monthly and quarterly analytics reports, as appropriate, for all social media platforms and for the newsletter.

General Profile

• Requires good knowledge, excellent skills and experience in the field of communication and media;
• Adds value to team-based activities in his/her unit; collaborates with other entities of the Institute as required;
• Follows internal procedures to ensure high standards of performance and compliance with Institutional guidelines;
• Acts in accordance with International IDEA’s Core Values: Respect, Integrity and Professionalism;
• Integrates a gender and diversity perspective in all activities.

Reporting line

• Head of Programme, Sierra Leone.

Education and Experience

• University degree in communications, journalism, international relations or other relevant discipline;
• Minimum of three (3) years professional experience in a similar role, or as a writer in communications for development, preferably within the governance context;
• Experience in communication for gender equality with integration of a gender and diversity perspective in all activities.is essential;
• Experience in communications strategy development and implementation;
• Demonstrated experience in creating and maintaining social media campaigns;
• Strong graphic design skills and ability to use all related Adobe tools;
• Knowledge of social media tools, Google Analytics, and content management systems including Drupa;
• Experience of working in an international context, e.g., in an intergovernmental organization, considered an advantage;
• Fluency in written and oral English is required. Knowledge of written and oral Arabic and French is an asset.

Terms of Contract:

• Local Post.
• Fixed term appointment  untill 30 April 2026.
• Remuneration - Gross Salary of 20,484 Sierra Leonean Leone per month.

Please note as this is a local post, International IDEA will bear no costs relating to the relocation of the selected candidate to the duty station. This position is open to those legally authorized to live and work in Sierra Leone for the duration of the contract. International IDEA is not able to support work permit applications. 

Applying for this position:

• Applications should be submitted online no later than 23:59 (CET) 10 January 2025.
• Please note that all applications must be made in English.

Selection Process:

• Evaluation of qualified candidates will include a written test assessment and up to two (2) interviews.
• Candidates selected to proceed to the next stage of the process will be contacted once all applications have been carefully reviewed.
• All candidates will be notified of the status of their application via email once the process has been finalized.

International IDEA is an equal-opportunity employer which seeks to further diversify its staff in terms of gender, culture and nationality.