The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, with 189 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 Secretariat of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is organized into four business groups in Geneva, and five business groups in the field, namely the zone offices in Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The Africa zone business group is organized through regional representations covering National Societies in eastern Africa, southern Africa, the West Coast, Sahel and Central Africa, as well as country representations in Ethiopia, Sudan, the Republic of South Sudan, Chad, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia and Zimbabwe.
Job Purpose
The Africa Senior communications officer position is part of the Africa zone office, based in Nairobi, Kenya. This position will support the Africa zone communications manager in positioning IFRC and African National Societies as credible and key responders, both during times of emergency and during times of development.
Reporting to the Communications Manager for Africa zone, this position will:
Maintain and increase the public profile and positioning of IFRC, African National Societies, and Partnering
- National Societies
- Support communications capacity building of National Societies in Africa zone
- Undertake communications activities that support humanitarian diplomacy objectives in support of vulnerable populations
Job Duties and Responsibilities
A.Maintain and increase the public profile and positioning of IFRC, African National Societies, and Partnering National Societies
- oversee compilation of Africa Reportage and explore options to become a web based newsletter
- help raise the IFRC Africa social media profile via posts to IFRC Africa Twitter account; share information with Geneva for posting on Facebook
- support emergency communications across the zone, writing key messages, facts and figures, case studies/web articles and any other communication materials as required
- assist in the development of stronger media relations across the zone, to raise the profile of IFRC and National Societies, and support resource mobilization
- proactively pitch angles from across Africa zone to media hub in Nairobi (not including east Africa region, which is managed by the regional office in Nairobi), not only during emergencies but also for silent disasters. Provide media kits and hold monthly media briefings on key humanitarian issues relevant to IFRC and National Society work
- compile master media contact list for Africa zone. Assist in the development and maintenance of a roster of credible Red Cross and Red Crescent spokespersons in Africa. Assist in the training of senior management in media relations
- liaise with IFRC zone programming units, namely the Disaster Management Unit and Health, identifying opportunities for improving visibility to various operations; assist in development of overarching advocacy documents
B.Support communications capacity building of National Societies in Africa zone
- with zone Communications Manager, and in collaboration with regional communications focal points, identify key National Societies and support their communications teams in the production of their own plans and budgets
- when required, work closely with information and communications colleagues in the National Societies to facilitate the development of their relationship with the media, production of communications materials etc.
- support communications needs and capacity building of African National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, in times of emergency and non-emergency
C.Undertake communications activities that support humanitarian diplomacy objectives in support of vulnerable populations
- support colleagues on various pan-African communications projects and liaise with Geneva, through the Communications Manager, Africa, on global projects and campaigns including, but not limited to, WDR launch, PAC, ACP-EU-JPA, Red Cross Red Crescent day, and calendar days observed by IFRC, with an eye to advocate on behalf of those most in need
- develop and coordinate IFRC publications including quarterly newsletter focusing on activities related to MoUs signed with various agencies, including but not limited to AfDB, CILSS, IGAD, ECOWAS and UNECA
D. Internal communications
- Update contact information for Africa zone on FedNet and IFRC web pages as applicable
- Liaise with 49 African National Societies and update their contact information on FedNet and IFRC web pages
- Compile an up-to-date and accurate IFRC Africa zone contact list (including all zone, regional and country offices)
- for dissemination. This list will be updated by executive assistants to the director and head of programmes and
- shared on a quarterly basis with zone staff and regional and country representatives Education
Relevant university degree in a relevant area such as communication ,development or disaster response, etc.
Experience
Five years’ experience of working in communications in a similar position
Relevant experience working with a humanitarian organization preferred
Experience of capacity building
Experience of responding to humanitarian emergencies preferred
Red Cross Red Crescent experience preferred
Field experience preferred
Knowledge, skills and languages
Knowledge of different communication channels and how to reach different audiences
Excellent skills in writing and editing for different audiences and channels (website, publications, brochures, newsletters, etc.)
Solid knowledge of design layout preferred
Photographic skills preferred
Able to work on own initiative and solve problems
Good interpersonal skills
Ability to multi task and work under pressure
Good understanding of humanitarian or development sector
Self-supporting in computers (Windows, spreadsheets, word-processing, desk-top publishing)
Fluent in spoken and written English
Competencies and values
Teamwork
Integrity
Innovation
Communications
National Society Relations
Professionalism Comments
The Federation is an equal opportunity employer.
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