The MENA Communications Manager leads the assessment, redesign, establishment and ongoing management of an integrated communications function for Habitat for Humanity across the Middle East and North Africa. The role brings together existing country and regional communications channels, platforms, processes and capabilities into a coherent, audience-driven communications ecosystem that strengthens Habitat’s visibility, positioning, advocacy, partnerships and resource development.
The Manager will initially lead a comprehensive assessment of Habitat’s communications footprint across Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon and the MENA Hub and develop a regional communications strategy and operating model. This includes recommendations for the consolidation, restructuring and development of websites, social media channels, digital platforms, content, brand assets, workflows and communications resources. The Manager will then lead implementation of this transformation and establish the systems, standards and measurement mechanisms required to sustain it.
The role provides strategic and hands-on communications leadership across external and internal communications, digital engagement, storytelling, media, marketing, donor and affiliate communications, proposal and report development, and advocacy communications. It works closely with country teams, Resource Development, Programs, Public Affairs/Advocacy and EME communications colleagues to position Habitat as a high-impact, evidence-based housing organization in MENA.
This role reports directly to the MENA Hub Director and operates within Habitat’s global brand framework, which requires close coordination with EME communications colleagues to ensure alignment and consistency with global standards.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Assess, redesign and establish the MENA communications function (25%)
* Conduct a comprehensive communications audit across the MENA Hub and country programs, mapping websites, social media accounts, digital platforms, audiences, content, brand assets, analytics, vendors, workflows, approval processes and existing communications capacity.
* Assess what should remain country-specific, what should be consolidated regionally, what should be strengthened or redesigned, and what may no longer be needed.
* Develop and lead implementation of a MENA Communications Strategy and operating model, including priority audiences, objectives, messages, channels, content pillars, governance, roles, workflows, resources, KPIs and implementation roadmap.
* Create practical systems and standards that enable consistent, efficient and high-quality communications across the Hub and countries.
2. Lead external positioning, digital communications, marketing and media (25%)
* Lead the restructuring, consolidation and ongoing management of MENA web and social media presence.
* Develop integrated digital and content plans that grow relevant audiences and strengthen Habitat’s visibility and positioning across MENA.
* Lead regional storytelling and content development in Arabic and English, translating country-level impact into compelling regional narratives for diverse audiences.
* Identify and coordinate media opportunities, press engagement, campaigns and external visibility initiatives.
* Ensure communications products comply with Habitat brand, safeguarding and ethical standards.
3. Lead donor, affiliate and resource development communications (20%)
* Partner with Resource Development and country teams to develop donor-facing narratives, capability materials, presentations, cases for support and tailored communications for current and prospective donors and partners.
* Contribute to proposal development, particularly positioning, narrative development, communications approaches, visibility plans and packaging of evidence and impact.
* Develop communications plans and donor visibility strategies for major grants and institutional funding opportunities.
* Develop donor recognition and stewardship communications.
4. Lead external advocacy, research and thought-leadership communications (20%)
* Lead the communications dimension of MENA external advocacy in close coordination with Public Affairs/Advocacy, Programs and country leadership, translating evidence and policy priorities into clear, audience-specific communications.
* Develop communications and dissemination plans for regional and country research, including the Global Housing Research Project and other evidence products, to increase reach, use and influence.
* Support regional and global campaigns and initiatives, including Home Equals, Let’s Open the Door and other Habitat advocacy priorities, adapting messages and products for MENA audiences.
* Develop thought-leadership content, messaging, events and external engagement materials that strengthen Habitat’s voice on housing and related regional priorities.
* Support crisis communications preparedness and response across MENA, ensuring timely and coordinated messaging in alignment with global crisis protocols.
5. Manage communications planning, quality, coordination and performance (10%)
* Develop and coordinate internal communications across the MENA Hub, Area Office, affiliates and regional teams, including regular updates, shared content, internal messaging and contributions to Habitat’s publications (magazine, annual report, etc.).
* Establish and manage a regional editorial and communications calendar.
* Provide communications guidance, quality assurance and technical support to MENA country teams and coordinate regularly with EME communications colleagues.
* Manage communications vendors, consultants and service providers.
* Manage annual communications budgets and procurement of communications services.
* Establish performance dashboards and regularly analyze web, social, media, campaign and content performance to inform decisions and continuous improvement.
EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS, AND EXPERIENCE
Minimum Required:
* Education: Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, international development or a related field. Advanced degree is an advantage.
* 7-10 years of relevant communications experience, with at least 3 years in a regional, international NGO, or multi-country environment.
* Experience in strategic communications, digital communications, marketing, media, advocacy communications, donor communications or a related field, including experience developing or transforming communications systems, strategies or functions.
* Demonstrated experience developing and implementing communications strategies, operating models and multi-channel communications plans.
* Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional and matrix teams without direct authority.
* Strong understanding of digital communications, websites, social media strategy, audience development, analytics and content management.
* Strong writing, editing, proofreading and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate technical, programmatic and research content for different audiences.
* Experience supporting donor communications, proposal development, funder reporting, affiliate/partner reporting and resource development materials.
* Experience developing advocacy communications, research dissemination and thought-leadership content in coordination with technical and policy colleagues.
* Experience coordinating across multiple countries, functions and stakeholders and managing external vendors or consultants.
* Strong understanding of brand management, communications quality standards, ethical storytelling, safeguarding, informed consent and gender-sensitive language.
* Fluency in English and Arabic, with demonstrated ability to develop or oversee high-quality bilingual content.
* Strong planning, judgment and project-management skills, with the ability to move between strategic design and hands-on delivery.
Preferred – in addition to minimum
* Experience with nonprofit, humanitarian, international development or housing-related organizations.
* Experience working across the MENA region and understanding diverse countries and audience contexts.
* Experience leading communications transformation, channel consolidation, rebrand, digital restructuring or comparable organizational change.
* Experience using communications to support fundraising, partnerships, policy engagement and organizational positioning.
Organizational Scope & Impact
Regional role supporting the MENA Hub and country programs in Jordan, Egypt and Lebanon, with regular engagement across EME and global Habitat teams.The position influences Habitat’s external reputation, donor and partner engagement, advocacy visibility, digital presence and the quality and consistency of communications across the region.
The role also plays a key part in internal communications across the Hub, Area Office and affiliates.
Problem Complexity, Planning and Policy-Level Impact
Operates in a multi-country environment requiring significant judgment, prioritization and cross-functional coordination. The role is expected to assess existing communications systems, identify gaps and duplication, recommend structural changes, establish new approaches and translate regional strategy into practical communications systems and plans.
Influencing / People Leadership
Provides regional communications leadership, technical guidance and quality assurance without necessarily having direct reports. Builds alignment among country teams, Hub leadership, Resource Development, Programs, Public Affairs/Advocacy, EME and global communications colleagues, and manages external communications providers as required.
* Commitment to Habitat for Humanity’s values and safeguarding standards.
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