communications officer

TITLE: Communications Officer
DEPARTMENT: HIAS Israel
HIRING MANAGER: Response Lead, HIAS Israel
SUPERVISOR: Response Lead, HIAS Israel
LOCATION: Tel Aviv, Israel/Hybrid
START DATE: 15.3.2024

The Communications Officer plays a vital role in generating greater visibility of HIAS' Israel response to the current crisis and increasing engagement with broad audiences. The comms officer is responsible for performing a wide range of communications-related duties including, but not limited to, supporting the design and implementation of HIAS's communications strategies, campaigns, and products; coordinating response photography and videography; and supporting the dissemination of communications products. This position works closely with HIAS' Regional and HQ Communications Departments teams.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
• Maintain a HIAS social media presence. Support developing and implementing a social media strategy, guide, and action plan to expand HIAS presence and engagement in social media platforms.
• Coordinate with HIAS' HQ Communications team to ensure communications are on brand and follow HIAS' and donors' guidelines.
• Lead and coordinate HIAS engagement with Israeli-based newspapers. Maintain and update digital media archives.
• Plan specific, timely campaigns across all platforms in line with global and regional events and trends.
• Develop and review communications products, including factsheets, brochures, newsletters, reports, media articles, press releases, videos and photos, talking points, key messages, etc.
• Support the drafting, design, implementation, and follow-up of communications strategies, plans, and products for donors.
• Plan and arrange promotional events, news conferences, campaigns, press releases, and exhibitions.
• Provide advice on communications opportunities to increase HIAS' visibility and positioning.
• Respond to media inquiries, handle interview requests, and perform media mapping and regional outreach. Maintain relations with the media.
• Coordinate with photographers for high-quality photos and videos that are edited to promote and represent HIAS Israel Emergency response activities.
• Perform other tasks as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Crafting compelling content for local and international audiences.
• Managing digital media content.
• Writing impactful stories from testimonies.
• A fundraising mindset or appeal is a plus.
• 2-5 years of experience in communications and advocacy.
• Work experience in a (humanitarian) NGO, preferably in the refugee sector.
• Work experience in emergency response is a plus.
• Native level Hebrew and English in oral and written communication required.
• Basic graphic design skills; video and photo editing experience preferred.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to work in a team and independently, take initiative, prioritize competing tasks and meet short deadlines under pressure.
• Understanding and commitment to the values of HIAS.

DISCLAIMER:
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills required or permanent location. The successful candidate must be comfortable in a fast-paced, changing work environment with many crucial deadlines. All team members may be required to perform duties outside of their normal work hours of responsibilities as needed.

ABOUT US:
Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.
HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission and values.

VISION:
HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity.

MISSION:
Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

VALUES:
Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité • ????? ?????? (Hachnasat Orchim)
We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice • ??? (Tzedek)
We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • ??? (Chesed)
We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • ?????? (Chevruta)
We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage • ???? (Ometz)
We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • ??? (Ruach)
We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

DIVERSITY:
HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, political orientation, or other legally protected status.