Communications Officer at International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

Job Purpose

Working closely with the communications manager, and leveraging sub-regional networks of communications co-workers, the communications officer will support the positioning the IFRC as a key humanitarian leader and actor.
She/he will profile the achievements of National Societies; help build communications capacity of African National Societies and IFRC communications personnel in Africa region, and highlight proposed solutions to humanitarian challenges.

Responsibilities for the Communications Jobs in Kenya

• Write stories profiling the achievements of National Societies, with a focus on the impact on individual lives:
• Increase the frequency of articles published on the organisational website
• Improve the quality of storytelling: focussing on people-centred stories
• Use evidence-based approach to showcase the impact of the work on National Societies and IFRC
• Collect stories with the help of sub-regional/cluster communications officers
• In collaborations with the regional communications manager, strengthen sub-regional communications networks:
• Update the database of sub-regional communications focal points
• Create mailing lists of sub-regional communications focal points
• Frequently contact and build close relationships with individual communications focal points
• Operationalise the sub-regional communications networks, during emergencies, for newsgathering
• Support the capacity building efforts, through training programmes and, especially, ongoing coaching on how to improve the quality of storytelling

Support emergency communication and work on the implementation of the emergency communication rapid deployment mechanism:

• Update the existing roster
• Update the existing mapping of qualifications and competencies existing in African National Societies in regards to communications
• Update roster of photographers/videographers in each sub-region
• Write stories and interviews during emergencies
• Provide basic audio-visual material
• Draft communication packs with key material (facts and figures, key messages, press releases etc)
• Liaise with Africa regional DREF officer(s) and regional communications manager to identify DREFs to provide visibility to; follow up with affected National Society for visibility materials

Manage content for the Africa region webpage

• Publish at least two to four articles per week
• Proofread and edit stories from the sub-regional communications focal points
• Manage content for the Africa region Twitter handle:
• Propose Twitter posts to the communications manager daily, focussing on the inclusion of good quality videos, photos, graphics and short videos
• Manage the audio-visual database
• Upload good quality visuals onto our database, following stipulated technical requirements
• Repurpose existing materials for the purposes of production of promotional tools
• Compile quarterly Africa region newsletter, Africa Reportage
• In collaboration with Africa region communications manager, and sub-regional communications focal points, identify editorial plan for each issue
• Follow up with sub-regional communications focal points to ensure adherence to deadlines
• Work with outsourced designer to layout each issue
• Develop the newsletter into a web-based format, inclusive of link
• External relations: establish relationship with external consultants, freelancers, journalists, interns and graphic designer to complement in-house capabilities:
• Maintain and update the media directory
• Stay in touch with relevant regional media house
• Pitch stories and secure interviews from key media outlets
• Maintain a database of photographers

Media monitoring

• Monitor news and provide a news digest on daily basis
• Identify any issues that affect the organisation’s reputation

Qualifications for the Communications Officer Jobs in Kenya

• Minimum five years’ experience in communications, advocacy and/or media relations, or journalism
• Minimum five years’ experience working in the international humanitarian or development sector or a related field in a developing country
• Previous working experience at the IFRC or a National Society, with experience of having worked in the field during an emergency and/or to profile development programming
• Broad understanding of Red Cross Red Crescent policies and activities
• Strong knowledge of current affairs as they relate to humanitarian developments in Africa
• Strong relationship management skills including ability to rapidly build and extend professional networks
• Proven track record of planning and managing integrated communications programmes including digital communications and production
• Fluently spoken and written English
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)

Competencies and values
Accountability-Commitment to the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and its values;

Diversity-Cultural sensitivity and appreciation of diversity; Integrity-High standard of integrity and personal conduct;