Position Title: INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST

Opening Date: Jan 12, 2008

Who May Apply: All Interested Candidates

Location:  IRVINE, CA

Length of Service: 3 years contract

 

OiLTar International, Inc. is seeking a highly qualified candidate for the position of INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST (ICS). This senior level position will, through a variety of media formats, play a critical role in assisting to effectively and appropriately promote OiLTar International, Inc. program achievements and objectives in a highly sensitive political Middle East environment.  The IC Specialist supports OiLTar International, Inc. mission in the achievement of oil market and its objectives by generating and disseminating public information about the oil and bitumen activities.  The position will be the primary point of contact with media representatives (both local and international) to promote coverage  and work in close relation with the U.S. Embassies and Consulars General in Dubai, Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.

 

Qualifications Required

A master's degree in journalism, public relations, international relations, development, public administration, English or other related field is required.  Three additional years of relevant professional experience may be substituted for the absence of a master's degree.

A minimum of seven years of professional work experience in public relations or media relations is required.  This is experience must include work in the Middle East, especially in conflict or post-conflict situations in the Arab world.

Excellent knowledge of the principles and practices of public and media relations, as well as, sound knowledge of the operational environment is required.

The candidate must have outstanding creative and innovative skills necessary to design and implement effective and interesting development, outreach, and communications strategies and plans involving the use of a variety of media formats.

Must have excellent judgment and exercise considerable tact and diplomacy, including media contacts.

Level IV (fluency) reading, writing and oral communication skills are required in the English, Farsi (Persian), and Arabic languages.

 

Selection Criteria

Please note:  This section explains the knowledge, personal qualities, skills, and abilities we are seeking in candidates for this position. We will be using these criteria as the principal reference for short-listing candidates for interviews.

 

Knowledge

-       Masters degree or higher, in communication or a related discipline, or bachelors degree and equivalent experience.

-       Expert understanding of communication strategy and practices across a wide range of media, including Web sites;

-       Proven experience in producing a wide range of communication products, including written, visual, exhibitions, electronic, etc., and spanning presentation, design, layout and editing;

-       Knowledge of relevant computing packages, including Adobe, messaging for media, PowerPoint, etc;

-       Knowledge of photography and film-making is desirable; and

-       General knowledge of the Middle East culture.

 

Personal Qualities

-       Commitment to gender and diversity Issues:     

-       Enthusiasm for, and high degree of personal commitment to the issues promoted by OiLTar International, Inc., particularly equity, multicultural work, cross-cultural communication, inclusion, dignity, and professional development of women; and to the objectives and success of OiLTar International, Inc; and

-       Displays the highest standards of personal behavior, as appropriate to a multi-cultural organization especially in Persian and Arabic.

-       Initiative adds value to the activities which he/she manages by identifying opportunities and needs, and by acting appropriately on those issues; and 

-       Possesses the ability to think critically and strategically about technical and administrative approaches and issues, and about opportunities for enhancing the communications aspects of OiLTar International, Inc.

 

Adaptability and flexibility: 

-       readily accommodates a range of tasks and challenges;

-       demonstrates willingness to respond to changes in priorities, systems, processes and technologies; and

demonstrates the ability to undertake multiple tasks concurrently when required.

 

Skills and abilities

Inclusion:      

delivers a communication service that is inclusive of multiple cultures and backgrounds; and

demonstrates understanding of client needs, and takes a pro-active and co-operative approach to those needs within the framework of OiLTar, International Inc.; and,

exercises patience and diplomacy when required.

 

Service management:                     

·develops, organizes, manages and takes accountability for all communications projects and services, including project/service budgets, meeting deadlines and delivering outputs;

strives for world-class standards of design and implementation;

·outputs are characterized by the use of innovative and appealing communication approaches, tools and methods;

ensures that communications activities are delivered effectively by undertaking sound programming, taking responsibility for decision-making, and ensuring that high-quality outputs/services are delivered in a timely and effective manner;

identifies problems and flaws in service delivery, provides/proposes solutions to those problems, and is actively involved in implementing solutions;

·activities are characterized by good documentation/information about work in progress to ensure that, in his/her absence, their colleagues can respond to any enquiries;

·shows good attention to detail, and demonstrates a high degree of accuracy and reliability when providing/checking information; and

functions effectively and reliably in carrying out his/her activities, in the absence of the Program Manager.

 

Personal organization and priority setting:         

demonstrates a systematic approach to his/her work, programming his/her activities and adhering to that program;

determines priorities soundly, with appropriate balance between important tasks and urgent tasks, and the needs of different people/groups she/he supports; 

reassesses priorities as required, and seeks advice to confirm high priority tasks; and 

can be relied on to meet deadlines.

 

Multi-cultural teamwork:     

maintains a positive, co-operative relationship with project participants, specialized communications/information service providers, and other organizational groups in the oil and tar industry; through this he/she maintains an awareness of issues relevant to the project’s activities; 

is flexible when necessary, and effectively balances his/her own views and preferences with those of other team members, demonstrating a willingness to assist others in time of need; 

demonstrates the ability to deliver and receive criticism constructively, and provides effective feedback; and 

demonstrates an effective and transparent approach to sharing information.

  

Interpersonal/cross-cultural skills:           

conscious of own culture and the cultural variables of others;

own activities are characterized by tact and courtesy; and the ability to establish rapport; demonstrates good persuasive skills when necessary; 

demonstrates open-mindedness to, and respect for differences based on gender, nationality and culture;

builds trust and respect with OiLTar International, Inc. partners and participants;

resolves conflicts that arise as a result of cultural biases, assumptions, misunderstandings, or misinterpretations; and

is sensitive to organizational politics.

 

Communication:      

demonstrates professional writing skills; graphics skills are highly desirable;

oral, written and e-mail messages are characterized by their clarity and appropriateness;

conveys and comprehends information and instructions clearly, both orally and in writing;

demonstrates the ability to draft correspondence and reports on complex subjects that are succinct and clear; and

exercises well-developed presentation skills, and the ability to interact effectively with small groups as well as individuals.

 

Languages:   

possesses excellent skills in written and oral English, Persian (Farsi), and Arabic.

 

Applications

Your application should include a cover letter (including a description of where you saw this position announcement), your resume (C.V.), a statement of how you meet our selection criteria, and the names and addresses (including telephone and e-mail address) of three referees who are knowledgeable about your professional achievements and abilities.  Please note that, if you do not include a statement in relation to the selection criteria, we will not consider your application.

Please address your application to “OiLTar International, Inc. - INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST.”  E-mail applications should be sent to Info@OiLTar.com

Alternatively, hard-copy applications may be mailed to:

           

            OiLTar International, Inc.

            17595 HARVARD AVE. SUITE C, #2700

            IRVINE, CA 92614

 

The position title should be clearly marked on the envelopes of mailed applications, or on the cover sheet or e-mail applications.