Media Manager for MENA Regional Office

JOB PURPOSE: To lead, facilitate and support Amnesty International’s media work with regional and international media in order to advance the organization’s human rights agenda and raise awareness of Amnesty International’s work to promote and protect human rights, to support Amnesty International’s global campaigns and to attract a growing number of supporters to the movement.

DEPARTMENT PURPOSE: The MENA Regional Office plays a critical role in the Amnesty International Secretariat, gathering and communicating accurate and action-oriented human rights information and delivering on the vision to end grave human rights abuses and build societies respectful of human rights. Across the region, Amnesty International campaigns for meaningful change, supports national entities, enables effective activism and growth, and works to persuade governments and other actors to uphold universal human rights standards. The office provides strategic leadership and support and advice to the Amnesty International movement globally, fostering its contribution, presence and public accountability throughout the world.

INTERNATIONAL SECRETARIAT PURPOSE: The International Secretariat, which operates from a number of sites around the world, gathers and communicates accurate and action-oriented human rights information globally. We campaign for meaningful human rights change; enable effective human rights activism and work to persuade governments and other actors to uphold universal human rights standards. We provide strategic leadership, support and advice to the Amnesty International movement globally, fostering Amnesty International’s contribution, presence and public accountability throughout the world.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Generate press coverage in sub-regional and national media for Amnesty International in order to build Amnesty International’s profile in the region

Work with international media based in the region to generate coverage about Amnesty International’s human rights concerns in MENA

Implement a regional media relations programme which includes: pro-active media liaison; pitching Amnesty International stories and spokespeople; organizing interviews; providing media briefings; writing op eds; and responding to media requests

Draft in Arabic and English short press releases or quotes based on input from country experts.

Work as part of the communications team including another media manager and two Regional Content Manager for] to set the strategic communications direction, working as part of an integrated, multi-functional team; all campaigns and communications initiatives must be communicated in a manner suitable and relevant to the appropriate audiences

Identify opportunities for media work and provide advice on what products or activities would work best to meet media objectives and achieve impact, ensuring all work is timely, with a strong news value targeted at defined audiences Undertake crisis media work, ensuring Amnesty International responds in an effective and timely manner to key external and internal developments

Integrate social media into overall media plans and activity

Monitor and report on Amnesty International’s media impact and metrics in MENA - including social media. Use results to make recommendations for future work to ensure continued media impact

Organize media events including news conferences and press briefings; provide media support to Amnesty International research missions and visits to the sub-region by senior Amnesty International delegates

Support the global network of media workers, providing timely, well-messaged media materials and advice on Amnesty International’s response to human rights developments in the sub-region

Oversee the use of Amnesty International’s social media channels from the regional office managing the dissemination of content on relevant platforms, maintaining a record of all owned and operated digital properties in use by Amnesty

International across the sub-region and ensuring their proper use

Carry out own administrative tasks related to the post in accordance with the guidelines on self-servicing and to provide coverage for team members as required

Monitor progress and adherence to agreed standards, including establishing systems to ensure accountability and reporting

WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE IN THIS JOB 

 Amnesty International is positioned as the leading human rights organization with regional and national media outlets in [sub-region], as well as with international media
An over-arching media strategy is developed and implemented for [sub-region]
Amnesty International’s profile in [sub-region] increases through reactive and proactive media coverage on specific human rights issues and campaigns
Amnesty International is established as a credible source of human rights information for the media
The Amnesty International movement is kept up-to-date and informed about news and media opportunities on thematic work from [sub-region]
Planning and implementation of media work is undertaken to agreed deadlines and positive coverage is secured in target media
Strong media contacts are developed in [sub-region]

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Substantial, relevant experience in similar role in journalism or public relations, in an international environment

Understanding of international political and human rights issues and specifically how these issues apply in Beirut

Extensive experience in producing a wide range of quality materials for print and/or broadcast media, as well as for social media platforms

Ability to draft in modern standard Arabic for a media audience

Strong knowledge of international, regional and national media - across traditional and digital platforms - with established contacts at key publications and broadcast outlets

Sound understanding of media relations management including updating and maintaining relationships with media contacts

Detailed knowledge of current and emerging media trends and developments

Experience of developing and implementing successful media strategies and campaigns

Ability to judge issues and impact as well as experience in issues and crisis management

Experience in the use of social media networks, within a business context

Proven experience in utilizing digital channels for media work, with an understanding of how digital tools can assist the gathering and dissemination of relevant information to specific audiences

Strong communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills

Ability to work in high pressured environment while managing competing priorities and deadlines

Experience in providing spokespeople support and in developing and conducting media training, including in effective interview techniques

Experience in organizing successful media events including press conferences, briefings and seminars in range of contexts

Experience in media monitoring, analysis and reporting

Knowledge of Amnesty International and interest in, and personal commitment to, the full range of human rights

Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic, French or Persian would be an asset.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Public or other activity, affiliation to or support for any group or organization, personal association or other factor which may generate a real or perceived conflict of interest with Amnesty International’s principles (specifically independence and impartiality), or raise a security concern, or otherwise prevent the candidate from carrying out key functions of the specific post and would therefore disqualify the candidate from being appointed.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

Reporting to: Regional Director, MENA Regional Office
People that this job manage: Interns, volunteers and freelancers
Other key relationships: regional, national and international Media and Amnesty International staff in the MENARO, the Media Programme, Regional Content Manager, Sections in the region, Campaigns staff, International Mobilisation Programme, Legal, Policy, Office of the Secretary General, Section Media Workers.

USEFUL INFORMATION:
Media impact is vital to the success of Amnesty International’s international communications work, which relies on credible and visible profiling of Amnesty International to a range of target audiences across a range of diverse cultures and communities. The regional Media Manager will contribute to the development and implementation of a comprehensive media programme for Amnesty International in the sub-region, working as part of a fully-integrated team that supports Amnesty International’s activities across the region.

This is a full-time position which requires the ability and willingness to regularly work out of office hours including being on call for media enquiries. The position also requires the ability to undertake international travel as required, including travelling to other regional offices to provide additional media support, when needed.