Back Communications Officer

Role: Communications Officer
Start date: May 2020
Organisation: European Lawyers in Lesvos (www.elil.eu)
Location: Lesvos/Samos, Greece
Duration: Permanent
Working hours: Full-time (9.30 – 17.00 Monday – Friday)

Background

There are currently over 21,000 asylum seekers on the Greek island of Lesvos, the vast majority of whom have fled Syria, Afghanistan or Iraq. The asylum process they go through is a complex and ever-changing legal procedure that is difficult to navigate. Despite this, there is no state-provided legal aid available for asylum seekers before their asylum interviews and so the majority of them attend their interview without having spoken to a lawyer. The only way an asylum seeker can receive legal assistance in relation to their asylum interview is through one of the few NGOs on the island.

Without access to legal assistance, asylum seekers often do not know their rights or understand the process and the criteria applied when their asylum applications are assessed. They are therefore significantly disadvantaged when they attend their asylum interview and often suffer problems and delays in the processing of their asylum applications. This absence of legal information and legal assistance puts human rights at risk and undermines the rule of law.

European Lawyers in Lesvos (“ELIL”) is a charity registered in Germany and Greece. It was founded by the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) and the German Bar Association (DAV) in 2016. These organisations represent the bars and law societies of 45 European member, associate and observer countries, and through them more than 1 million European lawyers. ELIL is now also supported by the Conseil national des barreaux (CNB).

Our team of Greek asylum lawyers and volunteer European asylum lawyers provide free, independent legal assistance to asylum seekers on Lesvos.

ELIL was inspired by belief in the fundamental importance of upholding the rule of law, protecting human rights and ensuring meaningful access to legal assistance. We believe that every asylum seeker should be able to receive free legal assistance, from an independent lawyer experienced in asylum law, before their asylum interview.

We have been working in Moria camp, the main camp on Lesvos, since August 2016. Since then we have provided free legal assistance to over 10,000 people. We operate from an office in the Olive Grove, next to Moria camp, which enables asylum seekers to freely access our services and guarantees us direct access to those we assist.

Our main activity is the provision of one-on-one legal consultations to prepare asylum seekers for their asylum interview. We also help reunite families by assisting with family reunification applications under the Dublin Regulation and assist unaccompanied minors (interview preparation, family reunification and age assessment). In addition, we provide regular group legal information sessions and have recently prepared a legal information leaflet in collaboration with Oxfam and the Greek Council for Refugees, which was translated into 10 languages and distributed through 13,000 copies.

After three years of successful work on Lesvos, ELIL is planning to begin a new project on the Greek island of Samos, where there are 7,000 asylum seekers with limited access to legal assistance.

ELIL is looking for an experienced Communications Officer to support its projects on Samos and Lesvos.

Role

The start date for this role is 1 May 2020. We offer a competitive salary, details of which are available on request.

The role reports to the Fundraising and Media Manager. The role can be based in Lesvos or Samos, with frequent travel to the other island.

Working closely with the Fundraising and Media Manager and potential communications volunteers, the Communications Officer’s main objectives are to create content for social media platforms, website, potential blog and relevant reports/proposals and assist with the management of fundraising campaigns. Where relevant, s/he will also be available to meet with potential partners and visitors to the islands, as well as press visiting the area (subject to Managing Director and Fundraising and Media Manager briefing and approval). S/He assists in defining and implementing communication, advocacy, partnership, and grant management strategies geared at establishing ELIL as a trusted voice and presence on the ground, promoting ELIL’s mission, and obtaining the necessary support and financial means to allow ELIL to fulfil its mission.

Role responsibilities:

• Communicate the identity and mission of ELIL to the public, with a specific focus on the new Samos project.
• Create content for various communications platforms and relevant proposals/reports.
• Assist in the management of social media accounts and other publications, ensuring that they are updated daily.
• Help promote and manage fundraising campaigns.
• Assist with the development and execution of a comprehensive fundraising strategy, with a particular focus on the new Samos project.
• Serve as an ambassador for operations, meeting with visitors, partners, and press as requested by Fundraising and Media Manager.
• Assist with planning and execution of integrated multimedia campaigns on a limited budget.
• Assist with other communications-related duties as assigned.

Skills and experience required:

Essential

• Demonstrated ability to achieve communications-related objectives with at least 2 years of related experience.
• Experience with fundraising campaigns and online funding platforms, preferably with an NGO or similar capacity.
• Experience in managing social media and digital channels, websites and blogs, press and media relations.
• Proficiency in using photo, web and video editing software.
• Demonstrated ability to manage tasks to deliver objectives in a timely manner.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to write effectively for different audiences.
• Commitment to, and demonstrated ability in working as part of a team.
• Ability to work unsupervised, in a rapidly shifting context.
• Bachelor’s Degree or above.
• High level of exposure to humanitarian and development issues and contexts.

Desirable

• Master’s Degree or relevant work experience.
• A combination of private and third sector experience.
• Strong network of international media contacts.
• Extensive experience of living and working overseas.
• Experience volunteering or working within an INGO/NGO.
• Passionate about supporting the rights of refugees and migrants.
• Language skills in Greek, Arabic, Kurdish, Farsi/Dari are an asset.