Country: Myanmar
Closing date: 01 Feb 2019
Background
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network. IFRC is a membership organisation 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 IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. IFRC 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 IFRC to serve, connect, and represent National Societies.
The Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) has more than 40,000 active volunteers and 617 staff members across its national headquarters, field offices and 330 branches. Throughout the country and with the support of the IFRC and ICRC, MRCS runs programmes in WASH, first aid, voluntary blood donation, road safety, health, community resilience, disaster response, IHL, RFL and other areas.
Since violent attacks on 25 August, more than 670,000 people have been displaced inside Rakhine state and across the border into Bangladesh. MRCS and Movement partners have scaled up work in Rakhine to assist people directly and indirectly affected by the violence.
Job purpose
The Communications Coordinator will support all relevant communication activities to position and profile MRCS operations and IFRC’s support to the operation in Rakhine.
Reporting to the head of country office, IFRC Myanmar, with technical direction from the IFRC communications manager, Asia Pacific, the following are the key responsibilities of the Communications Coordinator:
• Enhancing IFRC and National Society visibility and public image with specific focus on the Rakhine crisis.
• Communication coordination between MRCS and ICRC to ensure a Movement approach to public communications and consistent messaging.
• Supporting effective public communications and international media relations efforts of MRCS and IFRC.
• Facilitating strengthened relationships with and supporting the capacity-building of MRCS communications team.
The role requires extensive travel, a flexible attitude, team-oriented approach and the ability to deliver quality products under pressure.
Job duties and responsibilities
The key responsibilities of the Communications Coordinator are to:
• Together with Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) communications team, develop and implement a communications strategy and plan of action for MRCS and IFRC operations, that supports programmatic and policy priorities, and aligns with regional and global communications priorities and initiative, covering the various aspects of communications including public and media relations, corporate communication, social media and advocacy.
• Build and maintain relationship with members of international media, key influencers and professional communications networks in Myanmar, and proactively engage with them to ensure that the IFRC and National Society are well-connected, -understood and -positioned.
• Work with IFRC and National Society colleagues to generate relevant content and products to support the humanitarian operations in Myanmar, including:
o Reactive and proactive international media relations;
o Generate a variety of communications content (e.g. press release, news stories, photo essays, blogs, still photos with captions and videos, social media engagement, activation, etc.);
o Produce supportive communications materials on key issues concerning the Rakhine operation, including communications strategies and handling plans, key messages/ responsive media lines, Q&As;
Develop advocacy messages to address the different issues linked to the humanitarian situation in Rakhine.
• Act as a focal point and spokesperson with international media.
• Identify, brief, prepare and coach other MRCS and IFRC spokespeople.
• Facilitate requests for visits/ field trips by media, partner National Societies’ communicators.
• Support MRCS in identifying key humanitarian issues to be addressed to public, media and donor audiences on the situation on the ground and the humanitarian response.
• Together with the MRCS and in coordination with ICRC:
o Monitor and analyse trends, perception and acceptance of the Movement’s work to identify and manage communications risks.
o Collect, analyse and transform information from the field into coordinated and consistent messages (supported by the KL and Geneva Communications team).
• Provide guidance, support and advice as required to IFRC and National Society senior management, particularly on potential or emerging reputational risk management issues
• Facilitate the audio-visual needs of the IFRC, member National Societies and the media; including the commissioning of professional photography and video assignments
• Contribute to Myanmar’s support plan outlining tailor-made support to strengthen National Society’s communications - providing strategic communications advice and learning, skills training, mentoring and facilitation of peer-to-peer exchanges.
• Integrate and scale-up digital technologies and social media into IFRC communications and community engagement efforts, operations and programmes, to enhance organisational understanding of the strategic value of social media, fostering a “digital culture”.
• Lead efficient and effective corporate communications, sharing timely, relevant and accurate information and communication materials with the IFRC global team and key partners, Ensure coherence, quality and consistency in design and production
• Coordinate the production of communication products to support IFRC/ MRCS advocacy, marketing and fundraising efforts for the crisis.
• Liaise with communications counterparts from Movement partners to identify communication opportunities for strengthening the Movement’s positioning and public reputation.
• Coordinate and collaborate with the IFRC’s regional and global communications teams.
• Liaise, share information with and collaborate with external organisations including donor agencies, UN agencies, international government and non-government agencies.
• Perform other relevant duties as required.
Education
University degree (or equivalent relevant experience) preferably in communications, journalism, new media or a related field is required.
Training courses: campaigns/advocacy, web management, social media or in other relevant fields is preferred.
Experience
At least 5 years of experience of working in communications, journalism, public relations is required.
Ability to independently deliver a range of compelling communications content from the field including news stories, social media content and AV materials is required.
Proven experience of developing and executing crisis communications plans and planning for, responding to and mitigating reputational risk is required.
Solid experience in media relations, including preferably acting as a spokesperson is required.
Strong Red Cross Red Crescent experience, including experience in emergency response is preferred.
At least 3 years of experience in an international environment in communications, journalism or international cooperation is preferred.
Experience of developing communications strategies and a variety of communications materials in complex and delicate situations is required.
Experience in coaching and transferring skills and knowledge to counterparts is required.
Knowledge, Skills and Laguage
Excellent English writing skills including proven experience in drafting compelling communications content for a variety of communications channels is required.
Self-supporting in IT is required.
Knowledge of humanitarian affairs and migration is preferred.
Proven experience in writing for the web and website update is preferred.
Demonstrated understanding and use of social media for communications and advocacy purposes is required.
Proven experience of developing and managing communications campaigns is preferred.
Comfortable working and communicating with number of National Societies in a diverse environment is required.
Detail-oriented, able to multi-task, a team worker is required.
Fluent in spoken English is required and Good command of any Myanmar languages is preferred.
Competencies
Communication
Collaboration and Teamwork
Judgement and Decision Making
National Society and Customer Relations
Creativity and Innovation
Building Trust
How to apply:
Any interested candidate can visit to this link:
http://www.ifrc.org/en/who-we-are/working-with-us/current-vacancies/job-description/?id=20275
To apply: visit the link, click apply online button at the bottom of the advertisement.