International Detention Coalition (IDC)

Vacant Position, Communications Officer

Antwerp & Brussels, 2012

The International Detention Coalition (IDC) is currently seeking an individual for the newly created position of Communications Officer within the IDC team. The IDC is a network of more than 250 non-governmental organizations, faith-based groups, academics and individuals that provide legal, social, medical and other services, carry out research and reporting, and undertake advocacy and policy work on behalf of refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers. These groups and individuals from more than 50 countries, have come together to form the IDC to share information and promote good practices relating to the use of detention by governments. The IDC Secretariat is based in Melbourne, Australia, and also has staff members in Belgium and Mexico. The new Communications Officer, who will be based in Belgium, will support the implementation of the ‘Global Campaign to End Immigration Detention of Children’, will work with the Campaign Coordinator and key members and partners around the world. He/she will also support the internal and external communications of the IDC Secretariat as well as aiding IDC members with their communications, capacity and skill.

Title

Communications Officer

Responsible to

Campaign Coordinator

Location

Belgium (Antwerp and Brussels)

Employment basis

The position is full time. The contract begins early to mid-July 2012 (TBC) and ends January 2013 (with an initial three month probation), and the possibility of a further extension.

Salary

Full time salary 3,400 €/month (paid as an independent contractor)

Role

Communications Officer to support the implementation of the Global Campaign to End Immigration Detention of Children, to support communications for the International Detention Coalition’s Secretariat and increase member communication capacity and skill.

Position Background

Refugee, asylum seeker and migrant children are increasingly being detained around the world: locked in prison cells, detention centres and closed camps. Some are unaccompanied, whilst others are forcibly separated from their families, left alone with adult detainees and guards, vulnerable to physical, sexual and psychological abuse. This creates immense protection risks and child rights abuses associated with immigration detention, including denial of access, conditions below minimum standards, risk of trafficking, limited or no access to UNHCR or legal advice and difficulty engaging with government. Many members have highlighted limited capacity, skills and availability of resources, as well as the complex transnational global nature of immigration detention, as impediments for change of detention legislation, policy and practice. Accordingly, IDC members have requested the development of a locally accessible global campaign, with accompanying training, for use in promoting better detention standards and the prevention of the detention of children.

Key Responsibilities

◙ Campaign communications

The Communications Officer will ensure coherent and professional campaign communications both online, in print and towards media and other stakeholders. He or she will also encourage members to use the campaign messaging and branding in an adequate manner.

◙ Strengthen IDC communications capacity

The Communications Officer will assist the IDC in its external communications with media, governments and other stakeholders, as well as the internal communications with members and partners.

Selection criteria

Essential Skills / Experience

● Campaigning: experience in playing a role in the implementation of a publicfacing campaign;

● Excellent verbal and written communication skills;

● Creativity in developing story lines; ability to translate complex policies into easily understood messages that reach a wide audience;

● Strong organizational skills and attention to detail;

● Writing and editing skills: proven ability to write for various audiences, including general public, media and policy experts;

● Speaking skills: ability to speak in public and the ability to represent the Campaign or IDC in public forums;

● Office skills: competency in office software and social networking; understanding of design software; experience working with CMS systems;

● Demonstrated experience working with civil society organizations and NGOs;

● Demonstrated knowledge of human rights law and practice internationally;

● Fluency in both written and spoken English and French. Bonus: Spanish / Arabic.

Desirable Skills / Experience

● Advocacy: experience in communications work supporting advocacy positions and lobbying government officials and politicians;

● Knowledge and experience in the refugee, asylum seeker and migrant and immigration detention context;

● Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field;

● Experience fundraising for discrete pieces of advocacy and/or campaigning work;

● Experience managing volunteers.

Desired Attributes

● Judgment/flexibility: ability to make quick decisions on campaign direction, to work with limited resources and to understand the demands of a small team;

● Initiative and innovation: ability to create new opportunities and to be resourceful and innovative;

● Leadership: ability to inspire others, including volunteers, to contribute to the goals of the IDC and the campaign;

● Teamwork: ability to work flexibly and effectively in alliances and coalitions with diverse participants who share similar objectives; and

● Commitment and enthusiasm: a belief in the values of the IDC and its members, and a desire to participate in meaningful work that promotes social justice.

Additional Requirements

● The individual must be able to travel internationally;

● The individual must be willing to work flexible work hours, totalling 37.5 hours per week.

Procedure

To apply for this position, please send your application to Jeroen Van Hove, Campaign Coordinator: jvanhove@idcoalition.org using the subject: application communications officer.

The Selection Committee requests that in addition to submission of cover letter and CV, applicants should include a brief statement (max. 3 pages) addressing the selection criteria in the selection criteria above.

Deadline

Closing date for applications: 15 June 2012 at 11 pm (GMT+2). Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.