Older people face particular challenges during emergencies, but are not often identified as a vulnerable group. HelpAge International (HAI) works to ensure that the rights, needs and capabilities of older people are recognised in all emergency programmes.
Emergencies on the scale of the Haiti earthquake generate substantial media interest and provide a unique opportunity to highlight HelpAge International’s direct response and bring the needs of to the forefront of media attention. HelpAge International and its affiliates are raising funds from supporters in the UK, USA, Germany, Holland, Korea and other countries and through the Disasters Emergency Committee in the UK. Communications material is there fore also needed for these stakeholders.
HelpAge needs updated information and materials to use in fundraising and communications work in order to raise awareness among supporters, stakeholders and the general public. We also need to actively generate media coverage for journalists in the field.

The Field Communications Officer forms part of the Emergency Response Team, which
works on the ground in emergencies to assess the situation of older people and to coordinate and implement a response with local partners.

The actual communications work can be divided into three basic categories based on audience:

1. Current and potential donors: Provide print, photos and video content

The Field Communications Officer will provide the HelpAge International communications team with multimedia materials to highlight the situation facing older people and their families in Haiti, including older people’s unique needs and potential contributions. These materials will be shared with the HelpAge International communications and fundraising teams in affiliates to assist with raising donations from supporters.

Such materials include but are not limited to the following:
• Case studies
• Web stories
• Blog entries
• Video
• Photographs

2. International media: Promote and manage coverage of older people and HelpAge

The Field Communications Officer will also promote coverage of older people in the current emergency among international media contacts on the ground; ensure appropriate visibility and positioning for HelpAge in this coverage; and manage media interviews, photographers and journalists as needed.

3. Older Haitians and their carers: Disseminate key messages and information to older people via existing and news media and channels

The Field Communications Officer will help raise awareness among Haitians about the needs and potential of older people, as well as the work HelpAge International is doing on their behalf. The three key components to this work are the following:
• Media relations: “Pitch” stories to local Creole-language news media)
• Public service announcements: Disseminate educational, awareness-raising and advocacy messages via radio, TV, text messaging, etc.)
• Radio show for and about older people: Develop and find a radio station to air a regular HelpAge-sponsored older person show (“Granmoun Hour”).

• Proven ability to successfully pitch proposals to media outlets and brief journalists
• Attention to detail, tact, diplomacy and an understanding for the need for accuracy and reliability in producing materials.
• Proven ability to write accessibly for different audiences and to edit and proof-read material, including for the website
• Ability to take photographs and video and store/edit material and to commission professionals when necessary.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including ability to advise staff and management on media issues and support programme staff to deliver communications and media objectives
• Ability to prioritise and manage a varied workload under pressure to deadlines
• Experience of setting up communications systems .e.g. database and willingness to be self-servicing
• Willingness to work some evenings and weekends – including acting ‘on call’ for journalists outside normal office hours.
• Fluent written and spoken English
• Fluent Creole

A cover letter in English addressed to Cynthia Powell. The cover letter must address the specific requirements of this job. It must be written specifically for this post. Any cover letter not in English will not be considered.

Urgent. The sooner we receive your CV the better.

2010-03-03