PUBLIC AFFAIRS ADVISER

What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and at the same time promote respect for international humanitarian law.  We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.

Role description

Based in Abuja, the post holder leads the management of the funding relationship with existing and potential donors for the ICRC’s response to the Lake Chad basin crisis in particular, and seconds the organization’s public relations efforts in the region in general.

S/he contributes to defining the ICRC’s regional positioning on the Lake Chad basin crisis and ensures its communication to existing and prospective donors (private, corporate and government) as well as to international media. Based on national strategies and the delegations’ operations, s/he helps draft and produce relevant material and implements a regional approach for the promotion of ICRC’s identity, activities, thematic issues and concerns. S/he plays the central role in pitching them to the diplomatic and donor community, providing support and guidance on wider public relations issues. The strategic engagement as well as deepening of relations with the diplomatic and donor community on its activities linked to the humanitarian situation in the Lake Chad Basin specifically remains at the core of this posting.

Main duties and responsibilties

Based in Nigeria (estimated 50% of the time) and covering Cameroon (20%), Niger (20%), and Chad (10%), the post holder reports to the management of the ICRC Abuja delegation with technical lines to the Resource Mobilization division and the Public Communication unit at the ICRC headquarters in Geneva, as well as the management of the other concerned delegations.

• In synergy with the heads of delegation and in line with the Resource Mobilization division, s/he maps, develops and implements suitable strategies to identify, establish and nurture relations with existing and potential donors in the Lake Chad basin for the purpose of positioning and fundraising ICRC operations.
• S/he develops in partnership with the local Red Cross/Red Crescent national societies a strategy to identify and engage local private and foreign-based potential national donors, as well as international corporates, in supporting ICRC activities in the Lake Chad basin, developing relevant marketing material and organizing dedicated events.
• S/he contributes to position and promote the organization in the public relation sphere to reinforce the ICRC’s desired regional identity and to draw sustained attention to the Lake Chad basin crisis, in particular with a view of making it relevant to the interests of donor government.
• Based on each delegations’ strategy, working closely with the different country communication managers and in line with ICRC public relations officers in Nairobi and Geneva, s/he helps stitch together a coherent regional public position and ensuing strategy for building visibility. S/he will assist delegations in the coherent promotion of ICRC’s activities and concerns to the international media and donors.
• Based on content generated at the national levels as well as information available in internal reporting, s/he drafts and produces compelling and attractive communications material for use to promote ICRC’s work and positioning with donors and media.
• In liaison with the country communication coordinators and in line with ICRC public relations officers in Nairobi and Geneva, s/he organises donor and media events (news conferences, etc...) and regional media/donor missions to the field.
• S/he regularly reviews the effectiveness and impact of ICRC's public and donor communication activities, monitoring key issues relating to the perception of the ICRC on traditional and social media.

Desired profile and skills

• Experience working in public communications, ideally in/on a humanitarian setting
• Experienced as a fundraiser or in a donor environment is a strong asset
• Prior Movement/ICRC experience an advantage
• Fluent in English and working knowledge of French
• Knowledgeable of the modern digital environment and at ease using digital tools and channels

Additional Information

The incumbent will be required to be available to travel regularly and extensively between the region’s delegations to ensure a close networking with key donors and their varying expectations based in regional sites

Length of assignment    : 1 year, extendable for maximum 2 years

Starting date                 :  as soon as possible

Closing date for application: 30 November 2017

What we offer

• Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment
• Attractive social benefits
• Join an ICRC talent pool and be considered for future assignments elsewhere