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MedWet Unit vacancy for Communications Officer

MedWet Initiative
Position vacancy: Communications Officer

Terms of Reference

The MedWet Initiative is a long term collaborative effort under the Ramsar Convention for the conservation of Mediterranean wetlands. Its mission is to contribute to the conservation and wise use of wetland resources through local, national and regional activities and international collaboration. For further information on the MedWet Initiative, please visit www.medwet.org

The MedWet Coordination Unit (based in Kifissia, Athens, Greece), an outposted unit of the Ramsar Convention Secretariat, announces the position vacancy (full-time) of the MedWet Communications Officer. The MedWet Coordination Unit collaborates closely with the expert wetland centres around the Mediterranean that make up the MedWet Team, in order to develop and implement the programme of activities of MedWet.

Tasks of the Communications Officer

The Communications Officer is responsible for developing and implementing the MedWet Communication Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) Strategy. In detail the tasks of the Communications Officer are:

• Draft, discuss with the MedWet Team and help implement the MedWet CEPA Strategy, on the basis of agreed terms and contents.
• Coordinate the implementation of this strategy by all MedWet, and specifically by the MedWet Team, through the leadership of the MedWet CEPA working Group.
• Overview the development and regular update of the MedWet website (technical part covered by external collaborator), and pursue new opportunities for its further enrichment and visibility.
• Produce a bimonthly electronic Newsletter.
• Coordinate the production and dissemination of MedWet publications by the MedWet Team and other partners, in line with the CEPA strategy.
• Collaborate closely with the Programme Development Officer and the MedWet Team for the development of the Communications part of new projects.
• Follow up, and in certain cases participate in, planning and implementing CEPA actions in the framework of MedWet projects.
• Propose and organize with the participation of the MedWet Team activities for the promotion of MedWet and its objectives. Special attention will be paid to organising events on key dates (such as the World Wetlands Day) and MedWet-related meetings.
• Ensure, in collaboration with the Coordination Unit staff and the MedWet Team, the dissemination of information on developments and activities to the whole network of MedWet and its partners.
• Communicate with and disseminate information to other parties and institutions.
• Maintain a close collaboration with the CEPA staff of the Ramsar Secretariat.

The Communications Officer agrees his/her workplan and tasks with and reports to the MedWet Coordinator.

Qualifications required:

Post graduate studies in the field of communications, environmental conservation, or social sciences.

At least 5 years experience with international / regional bodies involved in environmental and/or social issues with proven results.

The candidate must be fluent in written and spoken English and French. Working knowledge of other Mediterranean languages, including Arabic, will be an advantage.

Experience of living / working in the Mediterranean will be an advantage.

The successful candidate will have good communications skills and must understand and share the mission of the Ramsar Convention and of the MedWet Initiative. He/she must be willing to work in a team, be flexible to emerging or changing conditions, and undertake initiative in his/her broad field of actions. He/she must be willing to travel frequently, mainly in the Mediterranean region.

Short-listed candidates will be requested to provide the names and telephone numbers of three referees that the MedWet Coordination Unit can contact about them.

Employment conditions:

The successful candidate will be offered a (renewable) fixed term contract for two years, including pension and social security coverage under Greek legislation. The position will be based in the office of the MedWet Coordination Unit. Remuneration will be within the overall remuneration policy of the MedWet Coordination Unit as approved by the Ramsar Contracting Parties, and in line with qualification and experience.

Applications: Interested candidates should send a letter expressing their interest and expectations from the position, accompanied by their Curriculum Vitae and full contact details by 24 April 2004 to the attention of Mrs Mantziou:

- by post to the MedWet Coordination Unit, Villa Kazouli, Kifissias & Gr. Lambraki 1, 14561 Kifissia, Athens, Greece, or
- by e-mail to mantziou@medwet.org

Starting date: June 2004

Villa Kazouli in Athens, home of the MedWet Coordination Unit

For further information about the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, please contact the Ramsar Convention Secretariat, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22 999 0169, e-mail ramsar@ramsar.org). Posted 2 April 2004, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.