Senior Officer, Communications and Media relations

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.

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Strategic Engagement and Partnerships Manager, and with technical supervision of the Regional Communications Manager for Asia Pacific, the Senior Communications Officer will develop and manage the implementation of IFRC's media and communications plan, position the IFRC as a key humanitarian leader; profile the achievements of National Society; help build communications and influencing capacity of the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) and highlight proposed solutions to humanitarian challenges. S/he serves as the IFRC’s communications focal point for ARCS and provides critical communications support in disasters and ongoing, protracted crises.  

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic communication

• Develop, coordinate and implement a media and communication plan, for Afghanistan in consultation with the Head of Delegation, the Strategic Engagement and Partnerships Manager, and the Asia Pacific Communications Manager, making effective use of news media, digital media platforms, social media and advocacy.
• Manage Afghanistan communications needs including a focus on disasters and as part of the wider Asia Pacific and global communications team, with a focus on highlighting ARCS and IFRC humanitarian operations to partners globally.
• Provide guidance, support and advice as required to IFRC and National Society senior management, particularly on potential or emerging reputational risk management issues.
• Produce materials that support the communications efforts of the IFRC Country Delegation, ARCS and Partner National Societies, including key messages, talking points, Questions and Answers (Q&A) and reactive lines documents as needed.
• Produce quality, evidence-based content that supports impactful communication and advocacy initiatives promoting humanitarian operations in Afghanistan.

 

Media relations

• Act as liaison with the media for the IFRC, both for local and international media, and serve as a key support for the Asia Pacific Communications Manager for relevant media engagements. Identify, prepare and brief IFRC spokespeople through updated talking points and key messages.
• Identify story ideas and news opportunities and pitch them to the international media; organise press conferences, draft media advisories/press releases as required.
• Build media lists and sustain strong close relationships with members of the international news agencies, regional media bureaus, other key influencers and professional communications
• Network with the media in Afghanistan and engage with them boosting IFRC’s reputation and public profile.

 

Digital and social media

• Assist with the development of processes and tools that support and enhance the IFRC’s systems and capacities in emergency communications.
• Integrate and scale-up digital technologies and social media into IFRC communications to increase IFRC’s reputation and influence with donors, boosting humanitarian diplomacy.
• Contribute regular content and drive traffic to IFRC regional and global social media platforms.
• Facilitate the audio-visual needs of the IFRC, partner national societies and the media, including the commissioning of professional photographer and videographer assignments.

 

Capacity building

• Provide communications support and deploy as required to IFRC operational areas and manage audio/visual contractors, to provide management in disasters.
• Provide skills training, mentoring and facilitation of peer-to-peer exchanges as required.

 

Internal and external coordination

• Support and facilitate VIP and media field visits as required.
• Build a strong network with ARCS and IFRC communications, leadership and technical focal points and encourage active engagement with the Asia Pacific and Global networks to support greater media and public engagement.
• Liaise and coordinate with communications focal points of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement as needed.
• As required, liaise, share information and collaborate with communications counterparts at Partner National Societies (PNSs), donor agencies, UN agencies, international government and non-government agencies.

Education

Required:

• University Degree in journalism, communications, international relations, development studies or social sciences Red Cross, humanitarian, development.

Experience

Required:

• Five years of management experience in communications, advocacy and/or media relations or 5 years’ experience of working in journalism.
• Experience of working in the international humanitarian or development sector or a related field in a developing country.

Preferred:

• Experience in digital story production, photography, videography, editing.
• Broad understanding of Red Cross Red Crescent policies and activities.
• Previous work experience with the Red Cross Red Crescent.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required:

• Strong knowledge of current affairs and humanitarian developments in Afghanistan 
• Analytical and strategic thinking skills
• Professional and management skills and ability to be proactive and responsive to changing needs as required by line and technical line management
• Strong relationship management skills including ability to rapidly build and extend professional networks.
• Excellent writing and public presentation / media relations skills, with experience as a spokesperson.
• Proven track record of planning and managing integrated communications programmes including digital communications and production.
• Track record in communications skills training across a variety of communications disciplines.
• Ability to work, lead and manage in a diverse cultural and social context.
• Self-supporting in computers, including PowerPoint or iPresenter
• Fluently spoken and written English
• Knowledge of Dari and Pashto 

Preferred: 

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