Switzerland: Senior Communication Officer Media & Advocacy

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

IFRC is headquartered in Geneva, with regional and country offices throughout the world. The headquarters is organized as three main business groups: Partnerships, Programmes and Operations; and Management Services. The Communication Department sits in the Partnerships Division. The role of IFRC’s Communications Department is to advocate for local communities and people in need, increase public engagement on humanitarian challenges and position IFRC and members as uniquely placed global humanitarian leaders. The Communications Department comprises four teams including the Media & Advocacy Team. This team is responsible for the continuous development, execution and monitoring of IFRC’s global media and advocacy framework and delivers sustained, goal-oriented media strategy and advocacy.

Job Purpose

You will develop, implement and track media and advocacy plans and communications that advance IFRC communications priorities.

You will represent the IFRC and its member National Societies to international media, providing on-record comment, and advising IFRC leadership on opportunities and risks.

You are decisive and insightful, able to work at times with minimal supervision.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Coordinate the development and implementation of global IFRC media and advocacy framework

• Work with regions and technical departments to shape the development of IFRC’s media and advocacy framework, and contribute to the development of broader media and advocacy strategies.
• Set media and advocacy goals around priorities and challenges, develop plans and coordinate implementation globally; track outcomes and assess impact.
• Develop and put in place systems and processes to coordinate media and advocacy across IFRC technical departments and regions.
• Advise and guide regional, field and National Society colleagues on media and advocacy best practices.

Advance IFRC communications priorities

• In line with the IFRC media and advocacy framework, work with regional offices and technical departments to develop and pitch a bank of stories that promote IFRC’s thought leadership and response to humanitarian crises.
• Coordinate inputs for IFRC’s weekly participation in UN humanitarian press briefings. Represent the IFRC during these briefings as needed and directed by Manager, Media and Advocacy.
• Provide on-the-record comment to international media on breaking and ongoing humanitarian crises.
• Maintain and grow a network of key journalists, news directors and producers with an interest/focus on humanitarian issues.
• Advise on media opportunities and risks, and propose courses of actions to capitalize on opportunities and mitigate/manage risks. This includes organizing media events, doorstops, press conferences etc.
• Develop media communications materials including press releases, op-eds, briefings, key messages, talking points, etc, as needed to support the global IFRC media and advocacy framework.
• Contribute to IFRC campaign plans and proposals, with a specific focus on ensuring effective media engagement and support.
• Brief and support IFRC leadership and spokespeople.

Strengthen IFRC global communications

• Work with regional communication managers to foster a global approach to media and advocacy. Advise and support National Society communicators as needed, in collaboration with regional and country offices.
• Develop systematic collaboration methods with key thematic departments to plan, develop and execute quality theme-based communications.
• Engage IFRC network on media and advocacy priorities and establish platforms for sharing inputs, ideas and updates.
• Draft guidance/resource documents for regional colleagues and National Society communications staff.
• Provide media training to IFRC and National Society staff. Develop standard resources for media training for use by regional colleagues.

Respond to communications opportunities and risks

• Advise on developments and trends in humanitarian landscape and propose and support appropriate media and advocacy response.

Contribute to an effective IFRC team

• Be flexible in your work definition according to needs and priorities and improve team efficiencies and effectiveness within available resources.
• Be a pro-active team member by anticipating needs and fostering a workplace culture that models proactivity, continuous improvement, innovation, high performance and value for money.
• Foster a co-creative environment with colleagues in Geneva, regions and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and an open and cooperative relationship with external actors.
• Be prepared to ensure business continuity over irregular hours where needed.

Education

• University degree in communications/journalism/public relations or other relevant area of study Experience
  
• 10 years’ experience in communications, advocacy, campaigns, media and public relations or other relevant fields.
  
• Experience working in an international humanitarian, public health, international development or related field - Preferred
  

Knowledge, skills and languages

• Knowledge of media relations, digital and social media, content marketing, risk management and campaigns.
  
• Capacity to work in a multi-cultural environment.
  
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills.
  
• Creative thinking including the ability to propose fresh design solutions to respond to communications challenges and advance communications priorities
  
• Ability to contribute to a proactive, productive and positive team-based working culture
  
• Fluent spoken and written English
  
• Professional-level spoken and written French - Preferred
  
• Good command of another IFRC official language (Spanish or Arabic) - Preferred
  

Competencies and values

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

Comments

The Federation is an equal opportunity employer.

Please apply on the organisation's website: Click Here