Delegate, Communications At International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs 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.” IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

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 IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

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.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. 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.

IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.

Job Purpose

The Communications Delegate will support all relevant communication activities to position and profile SARC operations and IFRC’s support to the operations.

Reporting to the Head of Delegation, with technical direction from the IFRC Communications Manager in the Regional Office for Middle East and North Africa in Beirut, the following are the key responsibilities of the Communications Delegate:

Highlight the humanitarian situation in Syria and SARC’s response, supported by the IFRC, through compelling content on relevant communications channels, to reach relevant target audiences.
Produce strong communications key messages on the humanitarian situation in Syria and the operations of SARC and IFRC’s support to SARC.
Enhancing SARC and IFRC visibility and public image with specific focus on our emergencies and crises response, in the international media.
Support the production of high-quality communications materials, giving a voice to the population affected by disasters and crises and showcasing the impact of SARC operations and programmes, contributing to resource mobilization efforts and reporting to partners and stakeholders.
Support SARC in coordination of communication activities within the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement including the development of key messages for public advocacy.
Support SARC in further developing and strengthening the communications capacity and systems of the National Society

The role requires extensive travel, a flexible attitude, team-oriented approach, and the ability to deliver quality products under pressure. The incumbent will be in charge of developing regular and quality communication materials to position the host National Society as a key responder on international media and amongst different stakeholders.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the IFRC Head of Delegation in Syria and SARC’s Media and Communication Unit Manager, and in close cooperation with IFRC Regional Communications Manager in Beirut, the Communication Delegate is responsible for supporting the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and the wider network through:

In collaboration with SARC, develop and implement a communications strategy and plan of action, that supports programmatic and policy priorities, covering the various aspects of communications including public and media relations, corporate communication, social media, and advocacy.
Coordinate the production of communication products to support IFRC/SARC advocacy, marketing, and fundraising efforts.
Ensure adherence to visibility requirements of different partners and donors and create human interest stories, high quality photography and videography materials to support donor reporting.
Develop and update external facing key messages for use by IFRC and the wider Red Cross and Red Crescent communications network. Sharing any communications material created with the IFRC communications team for wider distribution and use among the Red Cross Red Crescent communications network.
Ensuring strong visibility in international media through producing stories and content pitching story ideas about Red Cross and Red Crescent operations to media, arranging media visits to field operations, acting as a spokesperson with international media, ensuring the availability of well-briefed spokespeople for media, producing materials for media and external audiences, and supporting IFRC spokes persons in media engagements.
Ensuring strong social media engagement through proposing and producing content for IFRC channels such as Facebook, Instagram and X and tracking audience engagement with social media.
Ensure comprehensive and effective communication of major milestones for the February 2023 earthquake response using diverse people-centered content, including video footage, photos with extended captions, and content generated by community engagement activities, such as feedback/concerns from affected communities.
In coordination with the IFRC technical focal persons in Syria, create high quality content demonstrating the impact on affected populations of programmes and operations implemented by SARC with the support from the IFRC for further resource mobilisation, reporting and general profiling and awareness raising purposes.
Work closely with SARC and the IFRC Syria Strategic Partnership and Resource Mobilisation focal point to create materials that support resource mobilisation interventions.
Act as a focal point and spokesperson with international media, brief, prepare and coach other IFRC spokespeople.
Support SARC in the coordination of media and communications initiatives among the Movement partners to ensure an aligned Movement approach to public communications, and consistent messaging including coordination of key messages, reactive lines, where required, for different situations.
Upon the request by SARC’s Media and Communication Unit, facilitate visits/ field trips by media, partner National Societies’ communicators.
Supporting the management of reputational issues through monitoring, advising on, and responding to developments and issues with possible reputational consequences in close coordination with the Risk Management Delegate.
Supporting the capacity-building of SARC media and communication teams, including through providing opportunities for learning, coaching, skills transfer, mentoring and facilitation of peer-to-peer exchanges, in coordination and collaboration with the IFRC regional and country team.
Coordinate with PNS bi-lateral and multilateral media teams.
Perform other relevant duties as required.

Education

University degree in journalism, communications, marketing, or international policies – Required

Experience

At least 5 years of experience working as journalist/press officer and/or Communications officer. – Required
Ability to independently deliver a range of compelling communications content from the field including news stories, social media content and AV materials. – Required
Proven experience of developing and executing crisis communications plans and planning for, responding to and mitigating reputational risk. – Required
Experience in managing communications issues in complex and delicate situations. – Required
Experience in building and maintaining media relations and contacts. – Required
Experience in emergency response. – Required
Red Cross and Red Crescent experience. – Required

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Knowledge of humanitarian affairs. – Required
Excellent English writing skills including proven experience in drafting compelling communications content for a variety of communications channels. – Required
Self-supporting in IT. – Required
Demonstrated understanding and use of social media for communications and advocacy purposes. – Required
Comfortable working and communicating with number of National Societies in a diverse environment. – Required
Ability to negotiate with varying partners. – Required
Ability to multitask and work under pressure. –Required
Analytical skills. – Required

LANGUAGES

Fluent spoken and written English – Required
Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic). -Preferred

Competencies, Values and Comments

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability.
Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust.

Salary Range mentioned below is NOT accurate, it depends on the relevant experience of the chosen candidate and based on the international IFRC salary scale.

IFRC ensures equal employment opportunities.