Officer, Communications

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 Harare Cluster Office based in Zimbabwe (Harare) covers 3 countries (Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe).

Job Purpose

• Strengthen three national societies’ communications capacity to promote a wider culture of communication, benefitting from the expertise and resources of Red Cross Red Crescent and external partners.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Work closely with the National Societies, IFRC Communications manager for Africa region to produce regular communications materials relating to the ongoing operations in Harare cluster including but not limited to facts and figures, key messages, press releases, and reactive lines and web stories linking where possible to resource mobilization. Share products with IFRC Africa communications manager for further dissemination to Movement partners.
• Videos, photographs with captions, and qualified spokespeople are immediately developed and made available to media and stakeholders during emergency operations / long term programmes.
• Produce a monthly newsletter with highlights on key activities/ perspectives within the Cluster. Emphasis on both achievements from Harare Cluster National Societies and IFRC.
• Coordinate and deliver skills development trainings and mentoring to grow the communications capacity of Harare Cluster National Societies.
• Support National Societies within the region to build a strong and sustainable relationship with the media through training and information sharing. This aims at increasing media interest on Red Cross activities and improving visibility on the Movement’s actions and values, as well as encouraging the effective use of media to disseminate key messages before, during and after disasters.
• Provide effective support to National Societies’ communications units, to produce relevant material aimed at promoting activities and image during emergency response operations and development programmes. This includes a more effective participation of National Societies in the production of 
  communication material.
• Share any relevant material with IFRC Africa communications manager for posting on www.ifrc.org/afrique.
• Encourage and support National Societies in the use of digital and social media communication to disseminate messages and engage communities.
• Contribute to the reinforcement of the understanding of the impact and key role of communication in resource mobilization initiatives, projects and emergency operations, valorization of the Red Cross image and actions, and partnership development. 

Education

• University degree in journalism, communications, E-journalism, E-communications

Experience

• Minimum two years’ experience working as journalist/press officer and/or communications.
• Experience in building and maintaining media contacts.
• Excellent verbal and written skills in both English and French.
• Red Cross Red Crescent experience an asset.
• Experience in managing communications issues in complex and delicate situations
• Solid experience in delivering capacity building and developing communication material

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Excellent written and spoken English skills.
• Video editing and production.
• Demonstrated understanding and use of digital content and platforms for external communications and advocacy purposes.
• Comfortable working and communicating in a diverse and international
• Environment.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to multitask and work under pressure.
• Analytical skills

Competencies, Values and Comments

• Accountability
• National Society Relations
• Teamwork-interpersonal skills
• Integrity and personal conduct
• Professionalism
• Communication Managerial effectiveness
• Initiative and direction
• Flexibility, Patience and adaptability-sensitivity to diversity