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Manager, Media and Communications

Beijing

  • Organization: IFRC - International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
  • Location: Beijing
  • Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Communication and Public Information
    • Managerial positions
  • Closing Date: Closed

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.”  The IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

The IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of the IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

The IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.

The IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat. The IFRC’s structure in Asia Pacific includes one regional office based in Kuala Lumpur, five Country Cluster Delegations and eight Country Offices (CO). These offices work in support of 38 National Societies to strengthen their humanitarian and development efforts. The Media and Communications Manager position is based in the IFRC’s Country Cluster Delegation in Beijing which provides organisational, policy and programmatic support to the four national societies of China, Mongolia, Republic of Korea and Japan. The Media and Communications Manager may also provide services to DPRK through IFRC DPRK CO, upon request and to be agreed with the Head of CCD (HoCCD) for East Asia.

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Deputy Head of East Asia Delegation with technical line management from the Asia Pacific Communications Manager, and in consultation with the HoCCD East Asia, the Media and Communications Manager will lead the development and management of executing IFRC's media and communications strategy across East Asia. S/he will position the IFRC as a key humanitarian leader and actor; profile the best practices and lessons of National Societies; help build communications and influencing capacity of IFRC`s members and highlight proposed solutions to humanitarian challenges.

S/he serves as the primary focal point on communications issues for Red Cross Red Crescent Movement partners in East Asia and provides critical communications support in emergency situations or necessary communication-supporting situation in Asia Pacific. S/he will contribute towards an IFRC communications working culture that is proactive, creative, and responsive and which aims to be first and best.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

  • Develop, coordinate, and execute a communication strategy and the media and communication plans for East Asia in consultation with the HoCCD East Asia, and Asia Pacific Communications Manager, making effective use of a wide range of communications mechanisms and tools, including media relations, corporate communication, social media and advocacy.
  • Provide leadership, strategic direction,capacity building and demonstrate transfer of knowledge to communications team in the East Asia Delegation, while collaborating with technical counterparts in the IFRC’s regional and global communications team.
  • Collaborate with and leverage support from Movement partners to develop innovative approaches and initiatives that build communications skills and expertise within the IFRC network – including web-based learning, training events, mentoring and peer to peer exchanges.
  • Manage East Asia communications needs including a focus on disasters and as required, support wider emergency communications need in the Asia Pacific region to be agreed with the HoCCD.
  • Develop communications and public relations plans, activities and materials that support the roll-out of global external and internal communications initiatives, campaigns and key calendar events.
  • Provide communications support and deploy as required to IFRC operational areas and manage audio/visual contractors, to provide field-level management in disasters.
  • Facilitate the audio-visual needs of the IFRC, National Societies and the media, including the commissioning of professional photographic and video assignments.
  • Support and facilitate VIP and media field visits as required.
  • Increase IFRC visibility and positioning in East Asia through proactive media and public relations, and IFRC events.
  • Develop key messages to all strategic, high level and important events and meetings that the HoCCD and other senior leadership of IFRC will render statements, speeches and messages and update HoCCD on current issues and opportunities that directly related to RCRC and also develop reactive lines in case of media or public inquiry.
  • With authorisation by HoCCD, act as media spokesperson for the IFRC and serve as a key support for the Asia Pacific Communications Manager for the international and regional media. Identify, prepare and brief other RCRC spokespeople.
  • Build and sustain strong close relationships with members of the international news agencies, regional media bureaus, other key influencers and professional communications networks in East Asia and engage with them boosting IFRC’s position.
  • Identify story ideas and news opportunities and market them to the international media; organise press conferences, draft media advisories/press releases as required and produce background material for the media, visitors, and other interested parties.
  • Produce materials that support the communications efforts of the CCD and National Societies including newsletters, key messages, talking points, Question and Answer and reactive lines documents as needed.
  • Provide guidance, support and advice as required to IFRC and National Society senior management, particularly on potential or emerging reputational risk management issues.
  • As required, liaise, share information and collaborate with communications counterparts at donor agencies, UN agencies, international government and non-government agencies.
  • Integrate and scale-up digital technologies and social media into IFRC communications and community engagement efforts, operations and programmes, to enhance organisational understanding of the strategic value of social media, fostering a “digital culture”.

 

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

  • Develop communications components for projects/programs proposals/reports to support the work of CCD and National Societies.
  • Produce quality, evidence-based content that supports impactful communication and advocacy initiatives across the East Asia CCD.
  • Lead efficient and effective corporate communications, information and knowledge-sharing processes at the CCD level that support programmatic and institutional goals.
  • Oversee the development and circulation of East Asia newsletters, ensuring coherence, quality and consistency in design and production processes.
  • Signoff/approve the proofreading and editing of the CCD documents, articles etc. both in Chinese and English as per the agreed norms and standards of the IFRC before it is submitted or released.
  • Organize and conduct special promotion events related to Red Cross Red Crescent programmes and priorities.
  • Lead the communication team based on the CCD’s communication strategy and needs, including planning, recruitment, supervision and management of communications staff.

Duties applicable to all staff:

  • Actively work towards the achievement of the Secretariat’s goals.
  • Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross/Red Crescent principles.
  • Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.

Education

  • Degree in journalism, communications, or international relations

Experience

  • Minimum of 10 years of experience in communications, advocacy and/or media relations including at least 5 years in an international humanitarian, public health, international development, or related field
  • Minimum 5 years of management experience in communications, advocacy and/or media relations
  • Previous working experience at the Federation Secretariat, field experience and/or National Society is preferred
  • Broad understanding of Red Cross Red Crescent policies and activities.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

 

  • Strong knowledge of current affairs as they relate to humanitarian developments in Asia Pacific
  • Strong professional and management skills and ability to both be proactive and ready to respond rapidly to changing needs from senior management.
  • Proven track record of management of specialized communications teams
  • Strong relationship management skills including ability to rapidly build and extend professional networks
  • Strong representational skills
  • Excellent writing and public presentation / media relations skills.
  • Experience as a spokesperson
  • Ability to work, lead and manage in a diverse cultural and social context
  • Self-supporting in computer skills
  • Social and digital media management skills
  • Multimedia production and design skills
This vacancy is now closed.
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