Media and Public Affairs Freelancer

The IRC

Over the past 80 years, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has developed unparalleled expertise in responding to emergencies and helping uprooted communities to rebuild. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC’s mission is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. The International Rescue Committee Deutschland (IRC-DE) is part of the IRC global network, which has its global headquarters in New York. The IRC is on the ground in more than 40 countries, providing emergency relief and rebuilding lives in the wake of disaster. The IRC is committed to a culture of bold leadership, innovation in all aspects of our work, creative partnerships and, most crucially, accountability to those we serve. The IRC is a tireless advocate for the most vulnerable.

Background IRC-Deutschland (IRC-DE)

IRC-DE was established to 2016 in order to serve people seeking protection in Germany and to provide further opportunities for advocacy on behalf of the people we serve and funding for the programs we implement around the globe. IRC-DE has representations in Bonn and Berlin. The IRC in Europe also has offices in Brussels, Geneva, and London, and a sister organization in The Hague. Due to structural changes and political developments, IRC-DE has now become the Europe HQ for IRC and is facing rapid growth.

The number of employees has increased from three in 2016 to nearly 100 employees. The increase in number of employees was caused through capacity transfer from other IRC locations as well as new hires.

Project

We are looking to further build and increase the media profile of IRC-DE in support of our broader communications and policy & advocacy objectives. The freelancer will drive this objective by maintaining and expanding IRC-DE’s media engagement − on campaigns, events, ad hoc news opportunities or newly created media stories. Thus, the freelancer develops a messaging framework for the IRC DE for both international and domestic programming and topics relevant in the German market − aligned with IRC's global communications.

In addition, the freelancer will lead and/or support on the planning and implementation of special events, focusing on media engagement.

Throughout the consultancy, the freelancer will work closely with the IRC-DE Communications lead and liaise with other relevant IRC staff in communications, policy & advocacy and fundraising.

Anticipated outcomes

• A newly developed (German) messaging framework for international and domestic programming and topics relevant in the German market − aligned the with IRC's global messaging.
• Increased media visibility for the IRC in target German (speaking) media, e.g. newly created ideas, coverage on IRC-DE priority topics or IRC campaigns and events.
• Strengthened collaboration with Policy & Advocacy colleagues, as well as global Public Affairs colleagues, to generate strategic reactive and proactive media mentions on IRC priority issues and policy or program solutions.
• Successful implementation of the Einstein Dialog and a side event at the Munich Security Conference (where the freelancer is leading) as well as a national version of the global “Rescue Dinner”.
• Initiate and engage in relevant communications partnerships and campaigns to build IRC’s media visibility in Germany around the federal election 2021.

Timeframe

The consultancy runs through the end of June, 2021 and candidates are expected to work 30 to 40 hours per week.

To apply

Interested candidates should submit their application as a PDF to respond to the above mentioned tasks until November 26^th 2020 via the application portal of International Rescue Committee.

The application should include:

1)applicant’s CV (English),

2)motivation statement (English),

3)writing samples of published work (e.g. messagings, published articles and interviews, self-composed texts) (German),

4)and a financial proposal (based on daily allowance) (English).

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The final selection process may involve timed performance tests and interviews. International Rescue Committee is an equal opportunity employer. To learn more about International Rescue Committee, visit our website at: www.IRCDeutschland.de

The freelancer is expected to work with their own equipment (laptop, mobile phone, skype etc.) from their own working place.

For further questions please directly contact: Corina Pfitzner (Senior Director): Corina.Pfitzner@rescue.org.

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