Communications Specialist

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.”  IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. 

IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. 

IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas.  IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. 

The Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) (www.grsproadsafety.org) is a hosted programme of the IFRC and is a voluntary association of governments, businesses and civil society organisations.  The GRSP has full time staff based in Geneva, Kuala Lumpur and Budapest and a cadre of globally based consultants.  The aim of the GRSP’s work is to reduce death and serious injuries as a result of road crashes with a focus on low- and middle-income countries.   

According to the World Health Organisation, road traffic injuries claim more than 1.35 million lives each year and result in approximately 50 million injuries.  Low and middle-income countries are disproportionately negatively affected.  Globally, road traffic deaths are the leading cause of death among young people aged five to 29 years and can cost governments between 3 and 5% of GDP.  Road traffic injuries and deaths represent a manmade humanitarian crisis and GRSP/IFRC are committed to evidence-based interventions to address this global pandemic.  

Job Purpose

Under the guidance of the Manager, Communications, Membership and Project Support, this role has primary responsibility for:

• Managing the communications programme of the GRSP including routinely producing communication material to publicise GRSP’s road safety projects, advocacy, road policing and training and other road safety related activities.
• Preparing regular GRSP newsletters and publications.
• Actively working with all GRSP teams to identify and publicise their work through appropriate social media and other communications mediums.
• Actively managing the GRSP website and social media accounts to ensure content is up to date including regular liaison with website and related service providers.
• Contributing to the support of specific road safety projects as required.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Communications

• Manage the promotion of GRSP activities, programmes, conferences and seminars using the GRSP website, social media and other media and communication opportunities.
• Writing well-structured articles for communication purposes.
• Manage the GRSP website, literature, and references to ensure timely updates and content accuracy.
• Coordinate and actively assist with communications to members, including with the provision of regular updates.
• Promote road safety related conferences and workshops as required.
• Attend as required and provide communications support for road safety related events including photography, conducting high quality video interviewing and capturing video footage and writing news releases suitable for distribution on GRSP media channels.
• Contributing to the ongoing review and development of the GRSP’s communications plan to ensure new trends are recognised and opportunities progressed.
• Work closely with programme teams and external providers to build and catalogue a GRSP digital media library (video, photography, graphic elements)
• Maintain excellent records of communications material and activity using the GRSP’s Project Evaluation Report

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Road Safety Project Support

• Contribute to the implementation of new or existing selected member or donor funded road safety projects.
• Provide support with the communication and organisation of conferences, seminars, meetings and GRSP events as assigned.
• Complete assigned actions within agreed timeframes and maintains a schedule of active tasks, actions and their status and reports progress weekly to the Manager.

Education

Required

• University degree in communications, journalism, media management, public relations, or other related area

 

Preferred

• Qualification in road safety principles and practice

Experience

Required

• 1 to 5 years’ experience in the communications area
• Demonstrated experience in producing high quality error free communication material for all media platforms adhering to organisational style guides
• Demonstrated experience in preparing, developing and disseminating key organisational publications for internal and external audiences
• Proven social media and networking expertise

 

Preferred

• Experience working with a diverse set of partners to identify key programmatic and communication opportunities and brainstorming content ideas in line with organisational strategy
• Experience in publicising and providing real time communication support for events and capturing photographic and video material
• Experience with video, graphic and website content creation including working knowledge of major programmes such as Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Drupal, Word Press etc.
• Experience in building and maintaining relationships with journalists and key external stakeholders.
• Ability to acquire and maintain a detailed knowledge of organisational policies, principles and strategies, and to keep up to date with relevant developments.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required

• Demonstrates highly developed English language written and oral communication skills
• Task oriented, solutions focused and the ability to get projects completed on time
• Strategic and creative mindset
• Demonstrated problem solving skills
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate results of the communication programme and specific campaigns with the broader team
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Highly computer literate with capability in email, MS Office and related business and communication tools
• Fluent spoken and written English

 

Preferred

• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)

Competencies, Values and Comments

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability

Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and Teamwork; Judgement and Decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust