Employment

Introduction

Buna (The Arab Regional Payments Clearing and Settlement Organization) is looking for a Communications Specialist to join its growing team.

The position holder is responsible for managing and executing the organization’s communications and marketing initiatives, including planning, implementing, and managing media & public relations and activities, marketing campaigns, digital and physical events, website and social media channels, newsletters, content creation and production of promotional materials. This position will report to Chief Strategy & Development.

In this context, the following sections detail the main qualifications, skills and responsibilities related to this position:

2. Job Responsibilities

PR & Media

• Produce and manage PR & Media communications contents and activities including speeches, press releases, press kits, press interviews, and press conferences
• Produce media releases (including articles, press releases, newsletters) on behalf of Buna in English, Arabic, French or any other languages and advise on the accompanying pictures, videos, animations, and graphics
• Write booklets in issues of relevance to BUNA
• Develop annual report materials in collaboration with other stakeholders
• Develop website contents in collaboration with other stakeholders
• Manage the organization’s conferences, trade shows, and events (both physical and digital)
• Develop professional relationships with local and international newspapers, television channels and other media communications partners
• Maintain a database of journalists and media representatives locally and internationally and ensure regular updating of the database
• Draft guidelines and templates for all external communication activities
• Support crisis communication activities through assisting in the development of specific scenario-based crisis response plans and providing critical communications assistance during crises
• Advise on latest tools, metrics, and techniques, trends, and best practices for media relations
• Conduct industry related research to develop content that will help Buna deliver its intended message through media campaigns and other individual communication activities
• Manage incoming queries and prepare responses to questions posed by the media, individuals, or other external parties to Buna leadership
• Analyze and assess reports on the performance of all online marketing campaigns (e.g., traffic volume evolution) to ensure visibility on their return on investment
• Contribute to the identification of opportunities for continuous improvement of section systems, processes and practices considering international best practice, improvement of business processes, cost reduction and productivity improvement

Communications

• Oversee and hold accountability for the overall communications operations
• Develop annual Communication Plan across digital, PR and campaign streams to govern Buna public relations and media interaction activities in coordination with Buna Leadership
• Manage relationships with and performance of media, PR & Communication, and other relevant agency partners / outlets
• Continuously measure and evaluate all communication management and execution processes strive for cost effectiveness and continuous improvement

Digital & Creative

• Create ideas that can be used across various platforms to support campaigns
• Design basic digital assets based on Buna branding guidelines
• Prepare design plans and Buna website structure
• Design Buna website, sample pages, and content
• Collaborate with web developers to build and test Buna website
• Conceptualize, design, and produce digital material in line with design principles and esthetics
• Maintain the appearance of websites by enforcing content standards
• Main appearance of digital platforms and supervise content published on them by enforcing content standards
• Design and develop digital layouts, graphics, animation, and videos
• Design, build and maintain our social media presence and social media updates

Marketing and Branding

• Manage the brand and the corporate identity
• Establish marketing goals based on past performance and market forecasts
• Develop and execute detailed marketing plans for all priority media channels
• Work within the department budget to develop cost-effective marketing plans for each product or service
• Adjust marketing campaigns and strategies as needed in response to collected data and other feedback

3. Qualifications and Skills

Experience & Education

• 5+ years of experience in communications, or public relations and marketing
• Prior experience in the financial services industry, preferable with payments and fintech sector
• Graduate from a recognized university with a degree in marketing communications, journalism, languages, media, public relations, or a similar discipline

Skills

• Knowledge of branding and marketing, marketing strategy, digital marketing, and vendor management
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
• Proficient in digital media engineering, visual communication, and design
• Proficient in graphic design software including Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and other visual design tools.
• Proficient in front-end development web programming languages such as HTML and CSS, JQuery, and JavaScript is a plus
• Proficient in common content management solutions
• Creative thinking with an impressive conceptual outlook and ability to produce original ideas
• Multiple disciplined, dynamic and ready to embrace multiple roles required
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written) with ability to effectively communicate by telephone, face to face, email and written
• Confident and ready to share and present ideas internally and externally
• Excellent organization and time management skills, and ability to work on own initiative, accurately to tight deadlines, and to prioritize between conflicting demands
• Ability to handle multiple tasks with tight deadlines simultaneously
• Effective team player and excellent relationship building skills with ability to demonstrate a high level of discretion and positive attitude with all internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to maintain the highest level of confidential/sensitive information and professionalism
• Flexibility and readiness to work beyond regular working hours and as required
• Writing skills in different languages

Languages

• Native Arabic Speaker
• Fluent in English

Knowledge of French language is a plus