Job ID
46362
Job Title
Communication Lead
To work for
Aga Khan Foundation
Country
Syria
City
Hamah
Field of Work
Humanitarian/Disasters
Job Type
Full time
Military service
Not Specified
Minimum Education Level
Bachelor/ License Degree
Responsibilities
The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is a group of development agencies with mandates that include the environment, health, education, architecture, culture, microfinance, rural development, disaster reduction, and the promotion of private-sector enterprise and the revitalization of historic cities. AKDN agencies conduct their programmes without regard to faith, origin, or gender.
The Aga Khan Foundation (Syria) seeks to employ a full-time Communication Lead for the Program Support Unit (PSU) at its office in Salamieh.
JOB NUMBER: PSU/ 01
JOB SUMMARY:
The Communication Lead is responsible for leading and coordinating all internal and external communication functions of AKF (Syr) in Syria under the management and guidance of the PSU Manager. The position supports the PSU Manager in developing and implementing an effective communication strategy that enhances organizational visibility, accountability, advocacy, and resource mobilization, while ensuring alignment with AKF (Syr)’s humanitarian and development mandate, values, and donor requirements. The incumbent will report directly to the Program Support Unit (PSU) Manager.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
* Communication Strategy, Planning, and Budgeting
- Support the PSU Manager in developing, reviewing, and updating the organizational communication strategy and annual communication plans and budgets in compliance with organizational and donor requirements.
- Translate strategic objectives into clear, detailed communication activities with timelines, indicators, and measurable outputs.
- Monitor the implementation of communication plans and provide regular progress reports.
* Team Leadership and Coordination
- Lead, supervise, and mentor communication staff, volunteers, interns, and external service providers (designers, photographers, videographers, media agencies, etc.).
- Assign tasks, set performance objectives, and ensure timely and high-quality delivery of communication outputs.
- Support in building the capacity of programme teams and field staff on communication, visibility, and branding requirements.
* Media Relations and Public Engagement
- Support the manager in leading and managing media relations at national and sub-national levels.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with journalists, editors, media outlets, and influencers.
- Draft, review, and disseminate press releases, media briefs, statements, and talking points once signed off by the manager.
- Support in coordinating press conferences, media visits, interviews, and coverage of organizational activities.
- Support crisis communication and reputational risk management when required.
* Stakeholder Mapping and Communication Database
- Develop, update, and maintain a comprehensive database of media contacts, donors, partners, government institutions, civil society organizations, and other key stakeholders.
- Ensure stakeholder communication lists are accurate, segmented, and regularly updated.
- Support targeted communication and engagement with strategic stakeholders.
* Programme Visibility and Internal Coordination
- Work closely with programme teams to ensure high-quality visibility and documentation of projects and humanitarian responses.
- Ensure all communication products reflect programme achievements, impact, and beneficiary voices in a dignified, ethical, and protection-sensitive manner.
- Ensure compliance with donor branding, visibility, and communication guidelines.
- Support the PSU Manager in working with the partnerships team to develop project-specific communications plans and budgets to ensure compliance with donor branding, visibility, and communication guidelines.
* Media Bank and Knowledge Management
- Supervise the organization’s media bank (photos, videos, audio, publications, designs).
- Ensure proper archiving, labelling, consent documentation, and secure storage of media assets.
* Communication Materials Development
- Lead the development of high-quality communication materials including (but not limited to):
1.Reports, brochures, fact sheets, success stories, case studies
2.Infographics, videos, photo stories, newsletters
3.Advocacy and campaign materials
- Ensure consistency with AKF (Syr)’s branding, tone, messaging, and humanitarian principles.
- Review all public-facing communication products before publication to be signed-off by the PSU Manager.
* Digital and Media Platforms Management
- Under the direct supervision of the PSU Manager, oversee the organization’s website, social media platforms, and other digital communication channels and ensure timely, accurate, and ethical content publication.
- Develop and implement digital communication plans to increase reach, engagement, and visibility.
- Monitor analytics, audience engagement, and platform performance, and adjust strategies accordingly.
* Compliance, Ethics, and Safeguarding
- Ensure all communication activities comply with humanitarian principles, safeguarding policies, data protection, and ethical storytelling standards.
- Ensure informed consent is obtained and documented for all media materials involving beneficiaries.
- Promote accountability to affected populations through transparent and inclusive communication.
The Aga Khan Foundation (Syria) seeks to employ a full-time Communication Lead for the Program Support Unit (PSU) at its office in Salamieh.
JOB NUMBER: PSU/ 01
JOB SUMMARY:
The Communication Lead is responsible for leading and coordinating all internal and external communication functions of AKF (Syr) in Syria under the management and guidance of the PSU Manager. The position supports the PSU Manager in developing and implementing an effective communication strategy that enhances organizational visibility, accountability, advocacy, and resource mobilization, while ensuring alignment with AKF (Syr)’s humanitarian and development mandate, values, and donor requirements. The incumbent will report directly to the Program Support Unit (PSU) Manager.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
* Communication Strategy, Planning, and Budgeting
- Support the PSU Manager in developing, reviewing, and updating the organizational communication strategy and annual communication plans and budgets in compliance with organizational and donor requirements.
- Translate strategic objectives into clear, detailed communication activities with timelines, indicators, and measurable outputs.
- Monitor the implementation of communication plans and provide regular progress reports.
* Team Leadership and Coordination
- Lead, supervise, and mentor communication staff, volunteers, interns, and external service providers (designers, photographers, videographers, media agencies, etc.).
- Assign tasks, set performance objectives, and ensure timely and high-quality delivery of communication outputs.
- Support in building the capacity of programme teams and field staff on communication, visibility, and branding requirements.
* Media Relations and Public Engagement
- Support the manager in leading and managing media relations at national and sub-national levels.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with journalists, editors, media outlets, and influencers.
- Draft, review, and disseminate press releases, media briefs, statements, and talking points once signed off by the manager.
- Support in coordinating press conferences, media visits, interviews, and coverage of organizational activities.
- Support crisis communication and reputational risk management when required.
* Stakeholder Mapping and Communication Database
- Develop, update, and maintain a comprehensive database of media contacts, donors, partners, government institutions, civil society organizations, and other key stakeholders.
- Ensure stakeholder communication lists are accurate, segmented, and regularly updated.
- Support targeted communication and engagement with strategic stakeholders.
* Programme Visibility and Internal Coordination
- Work closely with programme teams to ensure high-quality visibility and documentation of projects and humanitarian responses.
- Ensure all communication products reflect programme achievements, impact, and beneficiary voices in a dignified, ethical, and protection-sensitive manner.
- Ensure compliance with donor branding, visibility, and communication guidelines.
- Support the PSU Manager in working with the partnerships team to develop project-specific communications plans and budgets to ensure compliance with donor branding, visibility, and communication guidelines.
* Media Bank and Knowledge Management
- Supervise the organization’s media bank (photos, videos, audio, publications, designs).
- Ensure proper archiving, labelling, consent documentation, and secure storage of media assets.
* Communication Materials Development
- Lead the development of high-quality communication materials including (but not limited to):
1.Reports, brochures, fact sheets, success stories, case studies
2.Infographics, videos, photo stories, newsletters
3.Advocacy and campaign materials
- Ensure consistency with AKF (Syr)’s branding, tone, messaging, and humanitarian principles.
- Review all public-facing communication products before publication to be signed-off by the PSU Manager.
* Digital and Media Platforms Management
- Under the direct supervision of the PSU Manager, oversee the organization’s website, social media platforms, and other digital communication channels and ensure timely, accurate, and ethical content publication.
- Develop and implement digital communication plans to increase reach, engagement, and visibility.
- Monitor analytics, audience engagement, and platform performance, and adjust strategies accordingly.
* Compliance, Ethics, and Safeguarding
- Ensure all communication activities comply with humanitarian principles, safeguarding policies, data protection, and ethical storytelling standards.
- Ensure informed consent is obtained and documented for all media materials involving beneficiaries.
- Promote accountability to affected populations through transparent and inclusive communication.
Qualifications
- The applicant must have a bachelor’s degree in communications, Journalism, Media Studies, Public Relations, International Development, or a related field (master’s degree is an asset).
- Minimum 4 years of progressive experience in communication roles, preferably with an INGO, UN agency, or humanitarian/development organization.
- Proven experience in developing and implementing communication strategies and plans, managing media relations, content development, and digital communication.
- Demonstrated leadership and team management experience.
- Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills in English and Arabic.
- Strong understanding of humanitarian and development contexts in SYRIA or similar settings.
- Strategic thinking and planning
- Strong interpersonal and coordination skills
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
- Cultural sensitivity and ethical judgment
- Budget management and reporting
- Creativity combined with attention to detail
- Strong organizational and multitasking skills.
- Ability to travel frequently to field locations and other governorates as required.
- Minimum 4 years of progressive experience in communication roles, preferably with an INGO, UN agency, or humanitarian/development organization.
- Proven experience in developing and implementing communication strategies and plans, managing media relations, content development, and digital communication.
- Demonstrated leadership and team management experience.
- Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills in English and Arabic.
- Strong understanding of humanitarian and development contexts in SYRIA or similar settings.
- Strategic thinking and planning
- Strong interpersonal and coordination skills
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
- Cultural sensitivity and ethical judgment
- Budget management and reporting
- Creativity combined with attention to detail
- Strong organizational and multitasking skills.
- Ability to travel frequently to field locations and other governorates as required.
Specific Vacancy Requirements
Deadline for application submission is Tuesday, January 27th 2026.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Salary and Benefits
according to AKF salary scale.
health and life insurance.
health and life insurance.
About us
The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is a group of development agencies with mandates that include the environment, health, education, architecture, culture, microfinance, rural development, disaster reduction, and the promotion of private-sector enterprise and the revitalization of historic cities. AKDN agencies conduct their programmes without regard to faith, origin or gender.
Safeguarding Commitments:
AKF is committed to maintaining the highest standard of ethical behaviour among its staff, representatives, and partners to make sure of do no harm of the beneficiaries and whom they deal with. In line with this commitment; the selected incumbent must adhere to the AKF Code of Conduct and the relevant Safeguarding policies
Safeguarding Commitments:
AKF is committed to maintaining the highest standard of ethical behaviour among its staff, representatives, and partners to make sure of do no harm of the beneficiaries and whom they deal with. In line with this commitment; the selected incumbent must adhere to the AKF Code of Conduct and the relevant Safeguarding policies
Required employees number
1
Posted On
Jan 13, 2026
Expiry Date
Feb 12, 2026
CV Language
English
