COMMUNICATION DELEGATE

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.

Description of the role

Main responsibilities

As an ICRC communications delegate, you will be part of a multi-disciplinary team that maximizes the acceptance of the ICRC's humanitarian actions and strengthens its reputation as an authority on international humanitarian law. You will help build trust and secure support for the organization among a broad range of audiences through public and digital communication, and ensure systematic engagement with people affected by armed conflict and violence. You will be crafting and implementing communication strategies, managing media relations, designing communication products, and promoting international humanitarian law among authorities, armed groups and violence-affected populations.

• Liaise with ICRC operations in defining communication priorities and providing technical support, training and advice to all staff;
• Contribute to a better understanding of the environment in which the ICRC operates. This includes knowledge of the information and telecommunication ecosystem, power dynamics, scanning of important and useful information;
• Develop, implement and review communication strategies aimed at building and managing networks, as well as fostering access, security and acceptance;
• Act as a spokesperson for ICRC, providing information on the ICRC's activities and humanitarian concerns. Craft speaking points, news releases and other media content.
• Pitch story ideas, content and interviews, and engage with key media to develop longer-term content partnerships; 
• Strengthen engagement with violence-affected people to raise their inclusion in the aid cycle and to provide them with useful, actionable, timely and life-saving information;
• Create and deliver messages on ICRC’s humanitarian action, carry out specially tailored presentations and workshops for specific target audiences such as arms carriers, local leaders, and affected people;
• Strengthen the monitoring and impact assessment of communication activities;
• Support the national Red Cross or Red Crescent society to develop its communication ambitions and coordinate its public communication activities and strategies with the ones from the ICRC;
• Contribute to the implementation of the digital strategy and develop a digital culture within the delegation;
• Support delegation-led digital channels like Facebook and Twitter;
• Collect, produce and share multi-media content designed to communicate with local communities.
 

Desired profile and skills

• Strongly motivated by humanitarian work.
• Able to work under pressure in a potentially dangerous environment.
• Very good level of written & spoken English is a must (C1 for both).
• Professional mastery of a 2nd language - French/Arabic/Russian.
• Any other language skills is a distinct advantage.

Our operational & field constraints

• In line with the principle of neutrality, the ICRC does not assign personnel to a country of which they are nationals.
• Candidates must be in good health and will have to do a medical check-up prior to departure in the field.
• Candidates must possess a driving license (for manual transmission vehicles).
• Candidates must be prepared to accept unaccompanied postings (i.e. no spouse, partner, children or dependents) for at least the first 24 months.

What we offer

• Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment.
• A two-week orientation course and other opportunities for further in-house training (to adapt depending on the integration course etc.).
• Attractive social benefits.
• Length of assignment: 12 months (mandatory – but to adapt depending on length).
• Join an ICRC talent pool and be considered for future assignments elsewhere.