POSITION SUMMARY
Based in Salalah, in Dhofar Governorate, Oman, the Communications Officer plays a key role as the communications and stakeholder engagement focal point for the Oman ARISE Program. Reporting directly to the ARISE Program Lead with a secondary reporting line to the Head of Comm in HQ, this position spearheads the planning, coordination, and execution of all communications, territorial marketing, and stakeholder engagement activities for the program. The role ensures the successful implementation of the ARISE Communications and Territorial Marketing Strategy, manages local media relations, produces high-quality bilingual communications assets, and leads community awareness campaigns, including the BICAB community outreach initiative, to foster public awareness and stakeholder buy-in.
PURPOSE
- Spearhead the development and implementation of the ARISE Communications and Territorial Marketing Strategy, ensuring alignment with program objectives , GGGI s global brand standards and enhance local visibility
- Lead territorial marketing efforts to position Dhofar Governorate s ecological assets including frankincense heritage, biodiversity corridors, and sustainable rangelands as investment-grade opportunities under the Bioeconomy and SSEZ pillars
- Direct media relations for the program, including drafting press releases, organizing media briefings, community workshops and preparing talking points for senior GGGI and government officials
- Lead the planning and execution of community awareness campaigns including the BICAB outreach initiative designed public awareness campaigns that connect program goals with local community needs, attitudes, and practices around rangeland restoration and biodiversity conservation
- Produce a wide range of bilingual (Arabic and English) communications assets including press releases, newsletters, impact stories, multimedia content, and social media campaigns tailored to Omani audiences
- Compile lessons learned and best practices to refine the program s adaptive communications and stakeholder engagement strategies
ENGAGEMENT
- Collaborate with program team members to design and implement tailored communications tools and campaigns that effectively communicate program activities, impact, and investment opportunities to diverse stakeholders
- Maintain close communication with the RO-MENA and collaborate closely with the GGGI MENA Regional Communications Manager and Comms Unit in HQ to ensure adherence to GGGI s institutional brand guidelines and cross-portfolio synergy
- Engage actively with key Omani government stakeholders, including the Environment Authority (EA), the Dhofar Governorate Office, and the Ministry of Information, on government communications protocols, approvals, and joint messaging
- Partner with local community representatives, livestock owner associations, bioeconomy enterprise incubators, and academic institutions to ensure communications are grounded in local realities and cultural appropriateness
- Inform program management on local engagement opportunities, media trends, and the overall effectiveness of ongoing communication campaigns
DELIVERY
- Develop and implement annual ARISE Communications and Territorial Marketing Plans aligned with program workplan phases, key milestones, and donor reporting requirements
- Lead the territorial marketing workstream to promote Dhofar s identity as a destination for sustainable investment, ecotourism, and nature-based enterprise
- Produce and disseminate monthly program newsletters, quarterly impact briefs, and annual progress reports in bilingual format (Arabic/English)
- Plan and execute community awareness campaigns including the BICAB outreach initiative utilizing mixed-methods approaches to measure shifts in knowledge, attitudes, and practices
- Manage ARISE s digital presence across GGGI s institutional platforms, ensuring regular content updates, audience growth, and measurable engagement metrics
- Coordinate media relations, including drafting press releases, organizing media briefings, and preparing talking points for senior GGGI and government officials
- Design and produce presentation materials, brochures, site visit briefs, and investment collateral for donor engagements, government presentations, and international events
- Document program success stories, beneficiary testimonials, and human-interest content for use across institutional, donor, and stakeholder communications platforms
- Conduct regular content audits and audience analysis to refine messaging and channel strategy based on engagement data
- Collaborate with the ARISE MEL team to track communications indicators (reach, engagement, awareness shifts) and maintain a content repository
- Link communication and outreach activities directly with program milestones to build awareness of GGGI's work and impact within the local Omani context
Desired Candidate Profile
- Master's degree or equivalent in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Public Relations, International Development, or a related field.
- A minimum of 6 years of professional experience in communications, public relations, campaign management or marketing, preferably within international organizations, environmental programs, or government engagement.
- Demonstrated experience in territorial marketing, place branding, or regional economic development communications.
- Proven experience working in rural or community-based development contexts, with the ability to engage effectively with government officials, community leaders, and rural stakeholders.
- Exceptional analytical, writing, and presentation skills are required.
- Fluency in both English and Arabic (written and spoken)
FUNCTIONAL
- Ability to draft high-quality communications strategies, press releases, and technical reports for diverse audiences.
- Strong project management and coordination skills, including experience working with government entities (e.g., Environment Authority), development partners, and third-party vendors.
- Proficiency in digital content production including photography, basic video editing, and graphic design tools (Canva, Adobe Suite, or equivalent) and experience managing social media channels and digital analytics platforms.
- Demonstrated ability to interpret technical climate and biodiversity data and translate complex environmental content into accessible, compelling narratives.
- Strong background in planning and executing events including community workshops, media briefings, and high-level site visits with attention to logistics, protocol, and messaging.
- Strong understanding of Oman s media landscape, government communications protocols, and cultural norms in the Dhofar region.
CORPORATE
- Understand and actively support GGGI s mission, vision and values.
- Promote an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect and partnership.
- Excel at problem solving, ask questions and seek support when needed, share information and knowledge with others both internally and externally.
- Strong ability to work independently and/or remotely, while maintaining productivity and exercising sound judgment in stakeholder-facing situations.