IFRC recruits 01 Communication Officer

Communication Officer

Closing date (Geneva time zone):03-06-2019

Duty station:Pretoria

Country:SOUTH AFRICA

Duty station status: N/A

Accompanied status: N/A

Duration:12 MONTHS

Category of Staff: National Staff

Grade: To be determined

Vacancy No:IFRC03081

Background

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with 190 member National Societies. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, our work is guided by seven fundamental principles; humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC or “the Federation”) is the World’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network. The Federation is a membership organization established by and comprised of its member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Along with National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Federation is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. 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.” It works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. The Federation is served by a Secretariat based in Geneva, with regional and country offices throughout the world. The Secretariat is led by the IFRC Secretary General and provides the central capacity of the International Federation to serve, connect, and represent National Societies. The Secretariat’s focus includes providing support to the IFRC governance mechanisms; setting norms and standards; providing guidance; ensuring consistency; coordination and accountability for performance; knowledge sharing; promoting collaboration within and respect for the RCRC Movement; and expanding engagement with partners. The Secretariat’s headquarters is organized in three main business groups: (i) Partnerships, including Movement and Membership; (ii) Programs and Operations; and (iii) Management. The Secretariat has five regional office, as follows: Americas (Panama City); Africa (Nairobi); Asia/Pacific (Kuala Lumpur); Europe (Budapest); Middle East and North Africa (Beirut). The International Federation and Red Crescent Societies of the Red Cross (IFRC) ‘s Southern Africa Country Cluster office is in Pretoria , South Africa and serves ten countries, namely Angola, Botswana, E-Swatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Head of Cluster the, Communications Officer will be responsible for supporting Southern Africa National Societies to enhance their visibility and empower them to amplify the voice of the most vulnerable to influence policy and resource allocation. The role will also support National Societies to develop deeper, more diverse and innovative strategic partnerships which could lead to multiyear thematic funding. The position holder will report technically to the Communications Manager, Africa Region based in Nairobi

Job Duties and Responsibilities

COMMUNICATIONS

Develop, coordinate and implement communication plans for southern Africa that support programmatic and policy priorities and aligns with regional communications priorities and initiatives:

• For each emergency operation or advocacy opportunity, develop a brief but clear communication plan highlighting the communication objectives, the audiences, tools and deliverabales, among other items.

• Evaluate the success rate of every communication plan through media monitoring and social media analytics.

Strengthen the network of National Societies’ communications focal points in the cluster:

• Conduct a mapping of qualifications and competencies in communication in the sub-region

• Recommend and implement strategic interventions to address the identified needs and challenges

• Update the database of communications focal points and ensure a continuous engagement through online platforms, telephone and where possible through face to face meetings

Write stories profiling the achievements of National Societies, with a focus on the impact on individual lives:

• Increase the frequency of stories published on the organizational social media and other online platforms

• Improve the quality of storytelling: focussing on people-centered stories

• Use evidence-based approach to showcase the impact of the work on National Societies and IFRC

Support emergency communication and work on the implementation of the emergency communication rapid deployment mechanism:

• In collaboration with the regional and global teams, identify and propose proactive and timely media opportunities, aimed positioning IFRC as a leading humanitarian actor.

• Establish quick contact with the National Societies affected by disasters, in order to ensure speedy communications, online and in the media, with the ultimate goal of being ahead of other humanitarian organizations.Write stories and interviews during emergencies and provide basic audio-visual material

• Draft communication packs with key material (facts and figures, key messages, press releases etc)

• Liaise with Africa regional DREF officer(s) and regional communications manager to identify DREFs to provide visibility to; follow up with affected National Society for visibility materials

Media monitoring:

• Monitor news and provide a news digest on a daily basis

• Identify any issues that affect the organization’s reputation

• Maintain and update the media directory

• Stay in touch with a relevant regional media house

• Pitch stories and secure interviews from key media outlets

• Maintain a database of photographers

Operate as a member of IFRC’s Regional Communications Team to advance corporate communications priorities and support a coordinated corporate approach to communications.

• Join regular regional communication editorial meetings, in order to discuss potential stories in the cluster, which have an international appeal.

• Join online collaboration and editorial platforms for exchange about topics related to communications, as well as for information and content sharing.

Education

University Degree in journalism or communications, or closely related field

Proven qualification in External Relations

Experience

Minimum five years’ experience in communications, advocacy and/or media relations, or journalism Minimum five years’ experience working in the international humanitarian or development sector or a related field in a developing country

Knowledge, skills and languages

Proficiency in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, outlook, windows. etc)

Proficiency in the usage of video editing and photo editing software

Setting and management of large budgets

Good presentation skills

Federation systems

Establishment and enforcement of sound internal controls

Excellent writing skills

Fluently spoken and written English

Competencies and values

Ability to work in a team, and occasionally under strict deadlines

High degree of integrity, discretion, and personal conduct

Flexible and adaptable to changing working conditions

Self-motivated, with good judgment and initiative

Good verbal and written communication skills

Good interpersonal skills

Sensitivity to diversity

Good level of attention to detail

Pleasant personality

Comments