JOB DESCRIPTION
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) India, is an independent humanitarian and development agency, engaging in sustainable development and disaster response programs for economically deprived and socially marginalized people in India. ADRA India is a part of the ADRA global network (www.adra.org), of humanitarian and development organization. ADRA’s nine global impact areas include Livelihood, agriculture, Child welfare, Water, Sanitation & Hygiene, Community Health, Disaster Response, Economic Growth, Hunger & Nutrition, Social Justice, and Gender Equity. ADRA India has developed its expertise within this framework under the thematic areas of humanitarian response and protection, empowered communities, health and nutrition, and their various subsectors and country-specific approaches.
Position: Communications Officer
Reports to: Country Director
Location: Gurugram, Haryana
Availability: Immediately
The Communications Officer will support the Country Director and program teams with the development of effective communication materials and media activities for ADRA India and its Project Offices. This support will encompass all forms of written and media communication channels, including the official website, social media platforms, newsletters, reports, appeals, and donor visibility materials. The role requires creativity, ownership, and close coordination with program and project teams, and does not carry supervisory or departmental leadership responsibilities.
Key Responsibilities:
- Website & Digital Content Management Update ADRA India’s webpage to ensure it meets ADRA network and professional NGO standards, and keep web content accurate, current, and engaging.
- Newsletter & Publications Compile the quarterly newsletter with articles of interest from ADRA India; write and publish news releases in newsletters, e-mail newsletters, or on the website.
- Annual Report, Project Reporting & Thematic Portfolio Development Work with the programmes and project teams to support the preparation of the ADRA India Annual Report; design programme and activity reports as needed; and support the development of thematic-area portfolios by compiling and presenting relevant programme information, achievements, evidence, and impact stories.
- Brand & Design Standards Compliance Ensure ADRA India complies with the Design Standards of ADRA International for visual identity and publishing media, as shared by the Bureau for Marketing and Development of ADRA International. Support the design and production of communication materials either directly or by coordinating with external vendors, ensuring that all outputs meet approved brand, quality, and delivery requirements.
- Coordination & Liaison Establish direct contact with Project Communication Referents (Liaison) to gather information about project activities to produce releases, newsletters, and other materials.
- Social Media Management Manage and add to ADRA India’s social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, ensuring consistent messaging and increased engagement.
- Multimedia & Fundraising Content Develop promotional videos, photographs, stories of change, and appeals for fundraising, applying creative approaches to the communication elements of the office.
- Communication Strategy Implementation Contribute ideas to the communication strategy and support ADRA India teams in its day-to-day implementation, and work with the ADRA India Communications Committee to enrich it with ideas and inputs to produce quality and effective materials.
- Visibility, Communication & IEC Development Maintain a communication calendar for each project; ensure donors’ visibility guidelines are followed; maintain documentation files of project success stories; consolidate IEC materials and best practices produced by the program and project teams; and support the programs team in reporting on IEC and visibility for each project.
- Capacity Building & Internal Support Provide assistance and training to project teams regarding media and communications, press releases, and agency communication.
- Editorial Quality Control Share press releases and formal agency communication with the Country Director prior to publishing, and adhere to established communication guidelines while providing innovative and creative improvements to communication activities and efforts.
- Media Relations & Coordination Develop and coordinate press releases at both national and local levels; coordinate with national and local media and maintain professional media relationships; identify opportunities for and support and coordinate media interviews, preparing relevant communication materials; provide communication support to the Country Director and programme teams for press releases and other media engagements; and ensure that all media communications are accurate, timely, consistent, and aligned with the organization’s messaging and branding.
- Emergency & Crisis Communication Provide timely communication support during humanitarian emergencies, disasters, and crisis situations, and support communication requirements arising from rapid assessments and emergency response activities. Coordinate closely with Programme and Emergency teams to ensure timely, accurate, verified, and consistent information is collected and communicated during emergency and crisis situations. Work with programme and emergency response teams to identify and collect relevant beneficiary and community stories, photographs, data, key messages, and impact stories; support the development of timely and appropriate communication materials during emergency response; and ensure that information shared externally is accurate, verified, sensitive to safeguarding and protection considerations, and consistent with organizational protocols.
- Proposal & Donor Alignment Support Provide communications support to the Programmes Department in developing concept notes, project proposals, donor submissions, and related programme documents. Help programme teams understand relevant donor communication, visibility, and presentation expectations and align proposal narratives, key messages, impact statements, storytelling, and visibility approaches accordingly.
- Publication Support Identify appropriate journals, research publications, sector papers, and magazines for showcasing ADRA India’s work, and support programme teams in developing, editing, and preparing articles for submission in accordance with publication requirements.
Field Visits
- Carry out field visits as and when required to document project activities, capture success stories, and support project teams on communication and visibility.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Country Director or Programs Team.
Qualification & Skills Required:
- Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in Mass Communication, Journalism, Development Communication, English, Public Relations, or a related field.
- 3–4 years’ relevant experience in communications, preferably in the development/NGO sector.
- Demonstrated portfolio of writing samples, publications, social media content, or campaign materials (links to work samples must be included with the application).
- Strong command of graphic design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva) and basic video editing for promotional and fundraising content.
- Hands-on experience in managing websites (e.g., WordPress) and social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter).
- Fluency in English and Hindi, with excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
- Strong photography and storytelling skills; ability to capture field-level human-interest stories.
- Understanding of donor visibility guidelines and IEC (Information, Education and Communication) materials.
- Excellent time management and organizational skills, with the ability to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines.
- Willing and able to travel throughout the project areas.
- Honesty in all undertakings with behaviour congruent with ADRA principles and moral standards.
At ADRA, we are committed to Safeguarding and Protection of the communities, staff and other people we work with. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who can promote a working environment free from abuse or harm to anyone that works with or comes into contact with ADRA India are recruited. This post is subjected to a range of vetting checks, including a criminal records disclosure. Background and Reference checks will be conducted, and ethics is part of the regular performance appraisals.
UN’S Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. Similarly, the term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.
As a partner ADRA’s standards are aligned with the United Nations Protocol On Allegations Of Sexual Exploitation And Abuse and relevant international standards, including the IASC (Inter-Agency Standing Committee) Minimum Operating Standards for PSEA (MOS-PSEA) and the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability (CHS). (ST/SGB/2003/13, 2003)
Background and Reference check
ADRA India will carry out a comprehensive background and reference check. This will encompass an evaluation of the individual’s professional conduct, safeguarding practices, and overall work ethics.
Please apply electronically, quoting the job title – “Communications Officer” on the subject line, and attaching a covering letter (include your last salary drawn) and your CV (with at least two contactable references) to Email Address: - careers@adraindia.org by 30th September’26. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Incomplete applications will not be considered for review.
ADRA India is a tobacco and alcohol-free organization. A competitive package is available for the right candidate. Women candidates are encouraged to apply.