Content and Communication Officer

BACKGROUND:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities which support them, as well as those who remain within their homes and communities. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

The IRC Emergencies & Humanitarian Action Unit (EHAU)

The IRCs Emergencies and Humanitarian Action Unit (EHAU) leads and oversees IRCs global emergency preparedness and response activities. The mission of the EHAU is to help meet the immediate survival needs and reduce suffering in conflict or disaster affected populations during the acute phase of an emergency. The EHAU also works in protracted emergencies, where the risk to life may be reduced but the population is still subjected to rights abuses and a lack of basic services.

The Signpost Project

Housed within the EHAU, the Signpost Project is a rapidly scaling responsive information service, providing up to date and contextually adapted information and content to equip its clients to make critical decisions about their futures throughout the arc of a crisis.Signpost is staffed with moderators, service mappers and editorial managers who deliver on information needs as identified by the affected populations themselves and constantly adapts to dynamic contexts.

The Signpost project is, as of 2021, at a critical point of inflection where its proven success is fueling a global expansion, poised to upgrade the architecture of humanitarian response by leveraging social media to empower its clients.Strong external communication strategies are critical for consolidating its growth, sensitizing donors and prospective partners and developing business.

JOB OVERVIEW/SUMMARY:

The Signpost Content and Communications Officer will report to the Signpost Project Director.

This position will be responsible for designing compelling visual materials that communicate about Signpost’s impact to existing and prospective donors, including donor reports, brochures and factsheets. They will offer branding and design support to Signpost instances at the local level. They will collaborate with the Signpost team to design communications strategies, methods and materials for internal and external communications projects and products. They will utilize their communications and content expertise to design compelling internal and external presentations to support key business development initiatives identified by the leadership of the Signpost Project.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: 

·Develop compelling external communications strategy, communications master document, and produce the accompanying materials, including copy, AV, infographics and images, to support the scaling of the Signpost Project.

·Redesign and maintain the Signpost website with the most compelling information and track use for continuous improvement

·Work in collaboration with the Signpost Responsive Information Advisor and Editorial Advisor to create tools supporting Signpost’s client-facing online assets and program methods.

·Lead brand design for new start-up Signpost instances around the world.

·Support communication initiatives with private sector partners and donors.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS 

The IRC and IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

REQUIREMENTS:

·Strong previous experience in PR / external communications or marketing (3-6years), international organization / business preferred.

·Experience in graphic design, video and audio materials with portfolio to share

·Excellent writing and communication skills in English. French, Arabic and Spanish skills desirable

·Ability to work independently; proactive approach to work

·Ability to understand a large amount of information and summarize into key messages

·Creative approach to communications

·Must have experience working in multi-cultural environment

·Important traits for success include problem-solving attitude, optimistic in the face of challenges, resilient, team-player

·Experience developing internal communications plans, particularly at large global organizations and NGOs preferred

Key Working Relationships

Position Reports to: Signpost Project Director

Position directly supervises:N/A

Other Internal and/or external contacts: Communications staff, Global Partnerships and Philanthropy staff, Emergency Unit staff

Standards of Professional Conduct: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an

enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law