Communications and IT Officer

About Editors’ Guild of Ethiopia (EGE)

Editors’ Guild of Ethiopia (EGE), established on October 29, 2019, and registered under FDRE Agency for Civil Society Organizations (No. 4527), addresses a critical gap in Ethiopia’s media landscape by representing the often-overlooked gatekeepers of media houses, who remain vulnerable to threats despite their frontline roles. With 108 members from diverse media platforms and ownership models – spanning print, broadcast, and digital across private, government, and community sectors – EGE champions press freedom, journalistic integrity, and ethical standards. Guided by a vision to foster a democratic and public-interest-driven media landscape, EGE actively monitors threats to journalists and media houses via its sojethiopia.org portal, while spearheading capacity-building programs and equipping news editors on public awareness campaigns on gender equality, peace, and climate action in Ethiopia. Its initiatives include enhancing professional practices, safeguarding journalists’ safety, and mobilizing media gatekeepers to address critical societal issues. Through these efforts, EGE remains a cornerstone for resilience and progress within Ethiopia’s media sector.

Position Summary

The Communications and IT Officer will play a dual role in leading the strategic communication efforts of EGE and maintaining its core digital infrastructure. The Officer will be responsible for designing and executing communication strategies that promote the visibility, impact, and values of the Consortium for the Safety of Journalists in Ethiopia (CSoJ), a flagship initiative coordinated by EGE. 
This includes creating and managing compelling content across various platforms, overseeing the timely updating and maintenance of digital channels, supporting communication needs for events and advocacy campaigns, and ensuring the security and efficiency of digital systems and IT tools used by the organization.
The position is offered as a short-term, one-year contract to provide vital communications and technical support during a period of increased activity for CSoJ. The successful candidate will work closely with the Programs and Communications teams to ensure coordinated, clear, and high-impact outreach aligned with the mission of journalist safety and media development in Ethiopia.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement communication strategies for CSoJ that align with the Consortium’s mission and amplify the objectives and achievements of the its program.
• Produce and manage content for digital platforms, including website articles, social media updates, newsletters, press releases, reports, and visual assets.
• Oversee and regularly update EGE and CSoJ digital platforms, ensuring timely, accurate, and engaging content across all channels (website, social media, email).
• Coordinate media and public relations efforts, including media outreach, press briefings, and responses to media inquiries.
• Support the planning and execution of events and campaigns, including promotional materials, event photography/videography, livestreaming, and post-event communication.
• Ensure brand consistency across all communications materials and platforms, maintaining a coherent visual and editorial identity for EGE/CSoJ.
• Monitor and report on communication performance, using analytics tools to assess engagement and reach, and make data-driven improvements.
• Provide first-line technical support to staff, addressing IT-related issues and troubleshooting hardware/software problems.
• Maintain and secure the organization’s digital infrastructure, including email systems, cloud storage, website backend, and internal networks.
• Support the setup and smooth functioning of hybrid or online meetings/trainings, including platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, and livestream tools.
• Ensure regular data backups and support the implementation of digital security protocols to protect sensitive information.
• Maintain and update IT inventory and recommend tools or technologies to enhance team productivity and security.
• Assist with the integration of digital tools to improve program delivery, communications, and monitoring systems.

Organization: Editors’ Guild of Ethiopia (EGE)

Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Type of Employment: Contract (9 months, with possibility of extension based on performance and funding)

Reports to: Executive Director

Deadline for Application: 10 Days from Announcement 

Number of Positions: One 
 

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, ICT, Digital Media, or related fields.
• At least 2 years of relevant experience in communications or IT support, preferably within media, civil society, or advocacy organizations.
• Proficiency in social media management (Facebook, X, YouTube, LinkedIn), content scheduling, and analytics tools.
• Experience managing websites (especially WordPress) and using graphic design tools (e.g., Canva, Photoshop, or Illustrator).
• Strong writing, editing, and translation skills in both Amharic and English.
• Basic IT troubleshooting skills and familiarity with video conferencing tools.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and multitasking skills.
• Experience working with journalist associations or media advocacy groups.
• Knowledge of media monitoring and digital storytelling techniques.
• Skills in video editing, livestreaming, and visual content creation are a plus.

Competencies:

• Strong sense of initiative, creativity, and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple communication channels and deadlines.
• Commitment to values, missions, and professional standards of CSoJ/EGE.
• Capacity to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

How To Apply

Interested candidates should send the following documents to careers@editorsguild.org with the subject line: ‘Application for Communications and IT Officer’

A cover letter (maximum 1 page)

An updated CV 

Sample(s) of writing or digital content (link or attachment)

Names and contact details of two professional references

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Women and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.