Senior Communication Officer
JOB DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Senior Communication Officer
Reporting to: Head of Communication & Fundraising
Summary
The Senior Communication Officer is responsible for leading the planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of MERCY Malaysia’s communication, branding, media relations, and public engagement initiatives. The role drives strategic communication efforts that strengthen the organisation’s visibility, credibility, advocacy, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement across traditional and digital platforms. Working closely with the Head of Communications and Fundraising, the Senior Communication Officer ensures consistent, impactful, and data-driven communication that reflects MERCY Malaysia’s humanitarian mission and brand identity.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Communication & Stakeholder Engagement
- Support the Head of Communications and Strategic Engagement in developing, implementing, and evaluating integrated communication and stakeholder engagement strategies aligned with MERCY Malaysia’s strategic objectives.
- Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of communication initiatives that strengthen organisational visibility, advocacy, and public awareness.
- Identify opportunities for strategic collaborations, partnerships, and engagement with media, government agencies, corporate partners, donors, humanitarian organisations, and other external stakeholders.
- Contribute ideas and recommendations during strategic planning and communication brainstorming sessions.
2. Content Development & Editorial Management
- Lead the development, writing, editing, and quality assurance of communication materials for both internal and external audiences.
- Produce high-quality and compelling content, including:
- speeches;
- media releases;
- feature articles;
- newsletters;
- annual reports;
- publications;
- advocacy and campaign materials;
- donor and stakeholder reports;
- website content;
- social media content;
- marketing and promotional materials.
- Ensure all communication materials are accurate, consistent, timely, and aligned with MERCY Malaysia’s humanitarian values, organisational messaging, and brand voice.
- Review and edit communication materials prepared by team members to ensure editorial excellence and consistency.
3. Media Relations & Public Communications
- Develop and maintain positive working relationships with media organisations, journalists, and communication partners.
- Coordinate media engagements, interviews, press conferences, media statements, and publicity opportunities.
- Monitor media coverage, analyse media exposure, and prepare regular media performance reports with strategic recommendations.
- Manage media databases and communication records to ensure accurate documentation and effective stakeholder engagement.
4. Digital Communications & Social Media Management
- Oversee the planning and execution of digital communication strategies across MERCY Malaysia’s website and social media platforms.
- Ensure website content remains current, accurate, and aligned with organisational priorities.
- Lead digital storytelling initiatives that effectively showcase MERCY Malaysia’s humanitarian impact and achievements.
- Guide content planning and publishing schedules across digital platforms to maximise audience engagement and outreach.
5. Communication Analytics & Performance Reporting
- Monitor and evaluate the performance of communication initiatives across digital and traditional media.
- Analyse communication and social media metrics, including audience growth, engagement, reach, impressions, website performance, campaign effectiveness, and media exposure.
- Prepare monthly and quarterly communication performance reports with data-driven insights and recommendations to improve communication effectiveness.
- Utilise analytics to support strategic decision-making and enhance stakeholder engagement.
6. Brand Management
- Administer and strengthen MERCY Malaysia’s Brand Management Programme.
- Develop, implement, monitor, and continuously improve the organisation’s Visual Identity and Brand Guidelines.
- Ensure consistent application of MERCY Malaysia’s branding across all communication materials, publications, campaigns, events, and digital platforms.
- Provide guidance to internal departments and external partners on the proper use of MERCY Malaysia’s brand assets.
7. Content, Image & Knowledge Management
- Oversee the management and maintenance of MERCY Malaysia’s communication assets, including photographs, videos, publications, multimedia resources, and communication archives.
- Ensure proper documentation, cataloguing, and accessibility of communication materials for future organisational use.
- Maintain communication records and databases in accordance with organisational standards.
8. Internal Communications
- Support the implementation of effective internal communication initiatives that promote organisational alignment and staff engagement.
- Coordinate internal announcements, presentations, reports, newsletters, and communication updates.
- Maintain communication calendars and ensure timely dissemination of information across departments.
9. Fundraising, Advocacy & Public Awareness
- Support and coordinate communication activities for fundraising campaigns, donor engagement initiatives, advocacy programmes, roadshows, exhibitions, and public awareness campaigns.
- Develop communication materials that effectively communicate MERCY Malaysia’s humanitarian impact to donors, partners, volunteers, and the public.
- Collaborate with internal departments to enhance the visibility and effectiveness of fundraising and advocacy initiatives.
10. Administrative, Coordination & Operational Support
- Coordinate communication projects to ensure timely execution and quality delivery.
- Manage and respond to enquiries received through MERCY Malaysia’s official communication channels, including organisational webmail and digital platforms.
- Maintain communication records, project trackers, stakeholder databases, and reporting documentation.
- Ensure communication activities comply with organisational policies, branding standards, and communication protocols.
11. Reporting & Team Collaboration
- Keep the Head of Communications and Fundraising fully informed of communication activities, project progress, emerging issues, and strategic opportunities.
- Prepare reports, presentations, communication briefs, and management updates as required.
- Foster effective collaboration with internal departments, programme teams, volunteers, and external partners to achieve communication objectives.
- Provide guidance and mentoring to junior communication staff, interns, or volunteers, where applicable.
12. Others
- Undertake any other duties and responsibilities of a similar or related nature as may be assigned from time to time by the Head of Communications and Fundraising or Management.
- Perform any additional responsibilities that contribute to the achievement of MERCY Malaysia’s organisational objectives and humanitarian mission.
Skills Required
- Strategic Communication Skills – Ability to develop and implement communication strategies, campaigns, and engagement plans aligned with organisational objectives.
- Excellent Writing & Editing Skills – Strong ability to write, edit, and proofread communication materials including articles, reports, speeches, media releases, publications, and digital content.
- Storytelling & Content Development – Ability to create impactful stories and content that effectively communicate MERCY Malaysia’s humanitarian work and impact.
- Public Speaking & Presentation Skills – Ability to deliver engaging presentations, briefings, speeches, and communication updates to internal and external audiences, including stakeholders, partners, media, and public forums.
- Media & Public Relations Skills – Ability to manage media engagement, respond to media enquiries, coordinate publicity activities, and build relationships with media stakeholders.
- Digital & Social Media Skills – Knowledge in managing social media platforms, digital campaigns, website content, and online engagement strategies.
- Communication Analytics Skills – Ability to monitor, analyse, and report communication performance using relevant data and insights.
- Brand Management Skills – Understanding of brand identity, visual guidelines, and ensuring consistent organisational messaging across all platforms.
- Project Management Skills – Ability to plan, coordinate, and manage multiple communication projects, campaigns, and events effectively.
- Stakeholder Engagement Skills – Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate with internal teams, partners, donors, media, and external stakeholders.
- Crisis Communication Skills – Ability to support communication responses during emergencies, sensitive issues, and reputational matters.
- Creative & Multimedia Skills – Ability to use communication tools and platforms for content creation, including basic design, photography, video, and digital production.
- Leadership & Team Collaboration Skills – Ability to provide guidance to junior team members and work effectively with cross-functional teams.
- Humanitarian Communication Knowledge – Understanding of NGO/humanitarian communication, advocacy, ethical storytelling, and public awareness initiatives.
