Switzerland: Manager, Strategy and global network

You are a strategic thinker and innovator who can translate corporate vision into action and outcomes. You scan and position for over the horizon issues and develop policies and systems that produce strategic, coordinated and proactive communication. You will lead a team of communication officers and be responsible for the continuous development and execution of IFRCs communications strategy across the organisation. This includes working with the director to set external communication priorities and advise the Secretary General and senior management on shifting priorities and recommended courses of action. You will work with IFRCs members to transfer skills, knowledge and resources within the IFRC network focusing on emergency communication, and sharing of assets. You will lead on strengthening communication and coordination within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

Job duties and responsibilities:

Lead development, coordination and execution of global IFRC communication strategy

• Set priorities and goals and develop a strong communications narrative and strategic communications approach across the organisation.
• Translate narrative and communications priorities into advice, guidance and outcomes across global communications team.
• Manage internal priority review and planning processes.
• Develop and implement policies and guidance to expand and focus IFRCs communications reach
• Monitor and continuously improve global system for content management.

Enable coordinated and strategic communications across IFRC globally to advance IFRC communications priorities

• Lead on planning in support of communications priorities across IFRC.
• Establish and manage a reliable system for supporting global team.
• Develop and apply systems, processes and toolkits for editorial quality assurance and coherency.

Engage membership in the transfer of knowledge, skills and assets across the global IFRC network especially with regard to emergency communication

• Develop and grow systems for IFRC and membership to share communications assets, ideas, expertise and skills.
• Develop and manage a system for communications deployments in disasters and emergencies.
• Leverage skills and expertise within the IFRC network for communications training, skills development, coaching and knowledge transfer.
• Work with partners to inspire community participation in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
• Work with International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement partners on shared communication priorities and stronger coordination.

Advise senior management on strategic communications across IFRC

• Advise on communication priorities and manage strategic planning and coordination processes.
• Advise on IFRC positioning in line with fundamental principles.
• Scan, assess and advise on developments, trends and demands of key internal and external stakeholders relevant to IFRC, and advise on strategic IFRC communications.

Be a role model in inspiring, leading and managing a productive, positive and high-performing team

• Be accountable to the director on delivering results, serve as a pro-active strategic adviser and be a dynamic and engaged member of the departments management team.
• Define clear roles, accountabilities and activities, and assign them across the team members on an ongoing basis while improving efficiencies within available resources.
• Plan, manage and monitor the use of available resources (people, budgets, etc.) of the team in order to deliver the agreed activities for area of responsibility and ensure business continuity over irregular hours where needed.
• Work effectively in a matrixed, multilevel global organization actively working to break down silos and address disconnects.
• Ensure effective coordination and engagement across departments, regional and field offices, facilitate partnerships with members and active exchange with peers, partners and stakeholders.
• Foster a culture of results, accountability, proactivity, innovation, quality and integrity.

• Create a working environment that ensures staff growth, motivation and satisfaction. Education:

• Advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) in communication, international relations, journalism, development studies or related field. A first level university degree in combination with additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree

Knowledge, skills and languages:

Required:

• Strategic and innovative thinker with institutional awareness and knowledge of the humanitarian landscape.
• Confident in intellectual discourse regarding values and priorities of IFRC.
• Results oriented and demand driven individual, entrepreneurial, ability to lead in unprecedented and/or ambiguous situations.
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills, including the ability to lead within a matrix management structure and utilise talent and experience of team members in a productive way.
• Outstanding networking, representational and communication skills; an ability to be proactive and persuasive.
• Demonstrated track record in innovating, contributing to a learning culture, sharing knowledge and new approaches to engaging partners.
• Professional credibility, able to work effectively at all levels across the organisation.
• Proven good judgment and ability to work with complete integrity and confidentiality.
• High degree of discretion, tact and sensitivity in dealing with internal and external clients and stakeholders in politically and culturally sensitive issues.
• Ability to work within a multi-cultural, multilingual, multidisciplinary environment.
• Fluent written and spoken English.
• Proficiency in an additional IFRC language (French, Spanish or Arabic) - Preferred.

If you are interested, please apply on this link on the IFRC website.