IFRC recruits 01 Senior Officer, Communications

IFRC recruits 01 Senior Officer, Communications

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

Abuja, Nigeria

Senior Officer, Communications
Closing date (Geneva time zone):15-08-2021Duty station:West AfricaCountry Cluster, AbujaCountry:NIGERIADuty station status: N/AAccompanied status: N/ADuration:6 monthsCategory of Staff: NationalGrade: Not applicableVacancy No:S00554
BackgroundThe International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with 192 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 ContextThe 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 delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, in its commitment to build strong National Societies and to support scaling up of National Societies’ services to the most vulnerable populations, is established in Nigeria since 2013. The NS/IFRC carried out several needs and capacity assessment in the last months. As a result of the deteriorating situation, an EA was done. The Emergency Appeal seeks to support Nigeria Red Cross Society (NRCS) to deliver humanitarian assistance to 200,000 people (33,000 households) over 18 months to address the current hunger crisis in the Northwest and North Central states of Nigeria. The operation will focus on: Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Livelihood & Basic Needs, Health and Nutrition, Psychosocial Support, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Protection, Gender & Inclusion (PGI and National Society Development. This plan of action is expected to be implemented until the end of 2022. The management of this operation and the implementation of these activities requires the recruitment of a Senior Communication Officer.
Job Purpose
The  Senior Communication Officer will:Develop regular and quality communication materials related to the Nigeria operations (written and video).
Ensure the effective communication of the IFRC/NRCS operations in various medio channels.Assist newsletters writing and visual materials.Support the National Societies and IFRC in communicating during emergencies, to develop deeper, more diverse and innovative strategic partnerships which could lead to multiyear thematic funding
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Develop, coordinate and implement communication plans for West 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 deliverables, 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 challengesUpdate the database of communications focal points and ensure a continuous engagement through online platforms, telephone and where possible through face-to-face meetingsSupport the National Society in identifying key humanitarian issues to be addressed to the public, media and donors on the situation on the ground and the humanitarian response
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: focusing on people-centered storiesUse evidence-based approach to showcase the impact of the work on National Societies and IFRCFacilitate National Society and IFRC in pitching media stories and professionally handling media inquiries with broadcast, print and online media/social media.Work closely with the IFRC team to produce facts and figures, key messages, reactive lines and promote different IM products
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, 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 materialDraft 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 materialsIn collaboration with the National Society, work on advocacy messages to address the different issues linked to the current operation.
Media monitoring:Monitor news and provide a news digest on a daily basis
Identify any issues that affect the organization’s reputationMaintain and update the media directoryStay in touch with a relevant regional media housePitch stories and secure interviews from key media outletsMaintain 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.
EducationRelevant University degree in journalism, communications, marketing or international policiesMaster of Arts in Communication Science
ExperienceAt least 5 years of experience working as journalist/press officer and/or Communications/Policy OfficerExperience in managing communications issues in complex and delicate situationsExperience in building media contactsExperience in emergency responseRC/RC experience
Knowledge, skills and languagesSelf-supporting in computersKnowledge of social media and related trendsKnowledge of humanitarian affairsAbility to negotiate with varying partnersAbility to multi task and work under pressureGood analytical skillsGood knowledge of the operational context and areaFlexibility and ability to travel in the operation’s areasFluent in written and spoken English is requiredFluent in written and spoken French is preferred
Competencies and valuesNational Society relationsCommunication – TeamworkProfessionalism – Integrity – DiversityJudgement-Decision-makingResults focus and accountability
CommentsThe Federation is an equal opportunity employer.POSTULER