Our vision is for everyone living in West Asia-North Africa and the diaspora to be able to access and engage with the internet, mobile services, and other networked spaces safely and without fear of censorship, surveillance, or repercussion.
Our mission is to advance freedom of expression and the right to privacy in West Asia-North Africa through research and reporting, monitoring state and tech companies’ policies, protecting the safety and security of online users, and collaborating with regional advocates to sustain a safer digital space.
Job Overview
The Communications Officer plays a key role in shaping SMEX’s public voice and amplifying its work across the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region. Working closely with all SMEX units, the Communications Officer develops, edits, and proofreads high-quality content including articles, newsletters, social media posts, position statements, advocacy and campaign materials, and petitions. The role also involves regularly researching and writing articles on digital rights issues.
Reporting to the Communications Manager, the Communications Officer produces and disseminates strategic communications that engage diverse audiences, strengthen SMEX’s public profile, and advance its programmatic and advocacy objectives. The position requires exceptional attention to detail, strong writing and editing skills, and a solid understanding of the digital rights landscape in the WANA region to ensure all communications align with SMEX’s mission and strategic priorities. The ideal candidate is a compelling storyteller with a strong grasp of digital rights issues and regional political and social dynamics.
Responsibilities:
- Generic responsibilities:
- Collaborate with the different units at SMEX to support in developing and implementing communication plans that align with SMEX’s overall communications strategy.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of the communications strategy for Bread&Net, SMEX’s flagship annual regional gathering, by supporting the planning, coordination, and execution of communication activities across multiple channels.
- Monitor developments and conversations related to digital rights across the WANA region to shape timely and relevant communications content.
- Ensure all communications adhere to SMEX’s brand identity, messaging, and style guidelines, maintaining consistency across all platforms and communication materials.
- Specific responsibilities:
- Writing and Editing (Arabic and English): Draft, edit, and proofread a wide range of content in both Arabic and English, including key messages, talking points, press releases, blog posts, report summaries, annual reports, newsletters, social media posts, video scripts, petitions, statements, and website content.
- Video-production: Co-lead the video production process, including concept development, scriptwriting, and coordination with the videographer through all stages of production to ensure successful delivery.
- Leading on Social media:
- Lead on producing the social media calendar and the social media content
- Work with designers to produce visual assets, infographics, and multimedia materials.
- Lead on posting, live coverage, and scheduling of content on all social media platforms
- Monitor online engagement analytics to adjust approaches and formats, and produce monthly performance reports.
- Internal Coordination: Maintain the editorial tracking sheet, contributors database, and the publishing calendar.
- External coordination: Work closely with journalists, researchers, and other contributors to ensure consistent coverage of digital rights issues.
- Provide day-to-day operational and editorial support to the Communications and Media Unit, including updating website content through CMS platforms, monitoring and compiling media coverage, and translating communication materials between Arabic and English.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, social sciences, English language and Literature, or any related field
- Minimum of 4 years of experience in Communications, journalism, public relations, or content development, preferably in the nonprofit or advocacy sector.
- Excellent writing, editing skills and proofreading skills in both Arabic and English, with the ability to adapt content for different audiences and platforms.
- Knowledge of the digital rights landscape and key issues affecting the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated experience producing a variety of communication materials, including articles, press releases, newsletters, social media content, reports, and advocacy materials.
- Strong understanding of digital communications strategies and social media platforms.
- Flexibility and adaption to the rapid changing context in the region
- Familiarity with content management systems (e.g., WordPress) and digital publishing tools.
Additional Information
Duty Station: Beirut, Lebanon
Office Presence: Hybrid
Employment Status: Full-Time
Reporting Line: Communications Manager
Salary: $1500-$1800
Application
The applicant should fill in this form.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
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