Communications and Programs Associate

Job description / Role

Do you believe that we can transform the future with youth through the dignity of work in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)? Are you a motivated, entrepreneurial and committed professional who wants a job that really makes a difference at one of the most dynamic non-profits transforming the lives of youth across MENA?

Apply to join the Global team at Education For Employment (EFE) as our Communications and Programs Associate. You will be an integral part of both the Global Communications and Global Programs teams. As part of the Communications Department, you will help to advance how EFE uses social media, online newsletters, our website and other channels to reach audiences in the US, GCC and Europe, as well as support on other key communications activities such as media relations, events, marketing collateral, video editing and aggregating quotes and photos. You also will play a key role in enhancing our internal communications and capacity through technology platforms. As part of the Programs Department, you will help to advance efforts to build sustainable local non-profit organizations across MENA. You will support the Director of Programs and Program Officers in providing programmatic, fundraising, strategic and capacity building support to EFE Affiliates.

The Position:
• Title: Communications and Programs Associate
• Reports to: Brand and Communications Manager based in Dubai (re Communications) and Program Officer based in Washington, DC (re Programs)
• Works with: Communications and program staff in EFE’s 11 markets of operation
• Ultimate Goal: Support the Communications Department in raising the visibility of EFE’s brand before key audiences of donors, partners, influencers, employers and youth, and support the Programs Department in programmatic and fundraising support to EFE Affiliates.

Areas of Responsibility Include:

Global Communications Department:

Brand Management:
• Help to develop, design and maintain all print and digital collateral (newsletters, brochures, success stories, and other content).
• Help to maintain EFE’s online resource libraries, including the photo and video libraries.
• Support and enhance content creation for donor outreach and fundraising campaigns.

Digital & Social Media:
• Assist in developing EFE digital content to highlight EFE’s impact across the region.
• Conduct amateur video editing and creation.
• Help to implement and evaluate digital performance marketing and social media plan.
• Help to track and optimize web/social media analytics and SEO.
• Suggest ways to improve on the efficacy of our digital activities.
• Perform basic content updates to the EFE website to maintain and refresh content regularly.

Media & Community Relations:
• Assist in the preparation of EFE executive team and alumni spokespeople with materials required for interviews, presentations, articles and posts.
• Perform media-related research or monitoring.
• Help to maintain database of EFE media, influencer and community contacts and track coverage.

Partnerships & Events:
• Support development of proposals raising funds for the communications portfolio.
• Help to draft reports and updates on communications activities to corporate partners.
• Support EFE’s presence and participation in relevant events.

Capacity-Building & Internal Communications:
• Support Global executive team on internal communications.
• Aggregated photos and quotes from EFE’s operations across MENA for use in targeted communications.

Global Programs Department:

Business Development:
• Contribute to grant application process for government, foundation, corporate and individual donors.
• Research grant opportunities and update EFE’s database of partners, donors and opportunities on Salesforce.
• Draft concept notes, proposals, project work plans and other supporting documentation for grant applications.

Programmatic Support:
• Support management of programs/projects and partnerships in accordance with EFE’s annual work plan and project requirements.
• Coordinate and organize program-related meetings and events.
• Develop PowerPoint presentations and other meeting prep materials and take notes during meetings.
• Provide support to Affiliate staff members in key areas including report writing, compliance with grant requirements, implementing EFE’s Student Management System, among others.
• Review programmatic expense reports and track budget-to-actual expenditures.

Administrative, Financial and Logistical Support:
• Provide administrative and logistical support to conduct meetings, conferences, workshops and training programs.
• Support travel arrangements for EFE staff.
• Support proper supporting documents and requests for payments to finance department.
• Maintain EFE’s filing system to ensure safekeeping of project and administrative documents.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will bring a demonstrated passion for EFE’s mission and the communication skills to effectively share EFE’s impact through creative and data-driven storytelling. To work well in EFE’s culture, the Development Associate must also be a collaborative team player who proactively builds relationships with colleagues and other key stakeholders. The top candidate also will possess an entrepreneurial mind-set and thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced, and high-growth environment.

The successful candidate will have:
• Alignment with EFE’s core values: We Empower Youth Potential, We Earn Trust, We Create Change
• Passion for driving change and a belief in empowering, education & economic inclusion in MENA
• Highly collaborative style with maturity, energy, patience and a sense of humor
• A positive, “can-do” mind-set and ability to be flexible, well-organized and work effectively in a team
• Knowledge and/or experience living or working in the Middle East or North Africa preferred
• Bachelor’s degree required in a relevant field
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to write persuasively, clearly and concisely
• 1-3 years of experience in nonprofits, international development and/or communications
• Experience supporting the development and implementation of nonprofit or business development strategies
• Experience in project management and proposal development.
• Experience building organizational capacity (systems, processes, technology)
• Familiarity with online, social media, or crowdsourcing strategies a plus
• Experience managing basic website content, or comfort learning Craft CMS
• Ability to create basic designs in Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Indesign). Basic film editing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in an entrepreneurial, high-growth, collaborative environment.
• Fluency in English required, Arabic or French language skills preferred.

About the Company

Education For Employment (EFE) is the leading nonprofit that trains youth and links them to jobs across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This pivotal region is the hardest place on the planet for youth to get their first job – they are three times more likely to be unemployed than older adults.

EFE believes in the positive power of youth in MENA. We are confident that youth can transform the trajectory of the region if we give them the chance. So, we built a network operating in nine countries across the region to bring this vision to life. Through the EFE Network, we match businesses that need qualified employees with young women and men seeking a job, whom we train with skills to succeed on the job and in life.

Our mission is simple: to create economic opportunities for unemployed youth in the MENA so that they can create a brighter future for themselves, their families and their communities.