Head of Communications - IDMC

The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) is the world’s authoritative source of data and analysis on internal displacement. Since our establishment in 1998 as part of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), we offer a rigorous, transparent and independent service to the international community, and inform policy and operational decisions to improve the lives of people living in, or at risk of, internal displacement.

With a team of 23 people in Geneva and an annual budget of 5 million USD, we monitor more than 130 countries in the world for which we provide verified, consolidated and multi-sourced estimates of the number of people internally displaced or at risk of becoming displaced by conflict, violence, disasters and development projects. We complement this global data with interdisciplinary research into the drivers, patterns and impacts of internal displacement. Using this evidence, we provide tailor-made advice and support to inform global, regional and national policy-making. Our data and evidence are published on our website and via our Global Internal Displacement Database (http://www.internal-displacement.org/database/displacement-data). Our flagship report, the Global Report on Internal Displacement (http://www.internal-displacement.org/global-report/grid2018/), published every year in May, is the world reference on IDP statistics, featuring trends and thematic analyses, country and regional spotlights.

IDMC is recruiting for a new Head of Communications. At a time when IDPs and the issue of internal displacement are increasingly in the world news, and interest is this topic from policy-makers and the wider public is growing, you will have the unique opportunity to shape IDMC’s institutional messaging and narrative on this topic, to consolidate our role as the world leaders and reference on the issue, and to keep the situation of IDPs high on the international agenda as well as within broader debates on displacement and migration.

Through engagement with key stakeholders, including donors, partner organisations, media and the general public, you will be responsible for the strategic positioning and promotion of IDMC’s brand, reputation, image, market position, products and expertise. You will be part of IDMC’s Management Team and will lead a team of three staff (media and social media coordinator; publications manager; and communications officer). As one of IDMC’s main spokespersons you will also take part in current global debates on displacement and migration, international development, climate change, disaster risk reduction, and humanitarian action.

Primary Role and responsibilities:

• Develop and manage IDMC’s corporate strategy, brand and reputation, contributing to the organisation’s institutional messaging, pitch and narrative on internal displacement.
• Develop and maintain an effective external communications plan and manage activities that promote, enhance, and protect the organisation’s brand and reputation.
• Develop new and creative corporate publications such as flyers, posters, reports, story-boards etc.
• Establish a regular cadence of communication through the effective use of varied communications methods: data visualisations, newsletters, flyers and other print publications, website, e-news, calendars, social media and podcasts.
• Draft high-impact communications materials including op-eds, talking points, speeches and speech support for the IDMC Director.
• Manage media relations and maximise media opportunities to ensure that IDMC is regularly featured on radio, TV and internet.
• Develop and maintain an international network of journalists to raise the profile of IDMC with the aim of making it the media’s preferred source of data, analysis and commentary on internal displacement.
• Manage all of IDMC’s external communications around the publication of its flagship report the Global Report on Internal Displacement (GRID), as well as other key institutional projects and events.
• Represent the organisation at events abroad and visit IDP programmes in the field for the production of news stories, videos/films, photo exhibitions, podcasts etc.

Other responsibilities:

• Act as an IDMC spokesperson and ambassador.
• Build and develop external partnerships with peer organisations related to communications and campaign work.
• Manage IDMC’s Communications team and coordinate the work of the media and social media coordinator, publications manager and communications officer as well as outsourced website development and editorial work.
• Oversee day-to-day activities in the communications team including budgeting, planning, staff performance and development.

Critical interfaces:

• Director
• Heads of Departments (Data and Analysis; Policy and Research)
• Business Development Manager
• Political Adviser
• Head of Communications in NRC Head Office

Qualifications & competencies

• Advanced degree or relevant work experience in communications, journalism, marketing and/or public relations.

• More than 10 years in the communications sector, with at least five years in a management role working with strategic communications and branding.
• A background in displacement, migration and/or international development would be an asset.
• Strong knowledge of and close working relationships with international, European and Swiss media.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, confident in contributing ideas and working in a collaborative way with colleagues and external agencies.
• Enthusiasm and proven knowledge of the issue of displacement in order to communicate with credibility and passion to external and internal audiences.
• Ability to offer robust advice to senior management on sensitive issues.
• Creative, with the ability to think laterally in order to achieve IDMC’s objectives.
• Documented writing and copy editing skills.
• Project management experience.

Miscellaneous

• Permanent position reporting to the Director of IDMC

• Supervision of IDMC Communications team

• Travel 15-20%