Communications Manager at International Rescue Committee

Job Overview:

The Communications Manager will support the Global Crisis and Response Communications (GCRC) team to raise the profile, income and influence of the IRC and our response to humanitarian crises to our global target markets as well as within the regions we work. They will work on key external relations products and support the team to achieve its media, messaging and storytelling objectives. The Communications Manager will stay abreast of the media landscape in IRC’s regions and support the team to respond to news cycle moments and land coverage in IRC’s global and regional target markets; produce compelling storytelling for use across multiple platforms; and draft and update key external messaging for use across the External Relations Departments.

With a strong focus on media, messaging, storytelling, data and evidence, you'll take advantage of multiple communication channels to effectively connect with IRC audiences. You will approach this work with an inclusion lens, keeping in mind the diversity of our clients, our core values, and our need to protect people at risk of violence and displacement.

You will be an excellent writer and communicator; a creative problem solver; goal-oriented and an outstanding collaborator partnering with IRC staff across all levels. If you are someone who understands how communications can drive impact and improve our humanitarian response, then this is an outstanding role for you!

Responsibilities

• Stay abreast of the media landscape in IRC’s programmatic regions including Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Middle East and updating media lists with key reporter contacts.
• Monitor the news cycle daily and update team to relevant topics, drafting responses to emergency news cycle moments as appropriate.
• Draft press releases and feature pitches and send to key media outlets as needed.
• Maintain calendar of upcoming media moments.
• Support the development of TORs for content trips and help to package and share stories to be used across digital and fundraising channels.
• Travel to visit frontline programming to gather content or staff media visits as needed.
• Draft web articles and social media posts as needed.
• Draft External Messaging and Communications Master Documents to be used by External Relations teams across multiple channels.
• Give up to 20% of time to support regional and local communications and advocacy objectives.
• Gather and package information about IRC programs in the region including major reports, assessments, success stories, case studies, factsheets, media pitches and other resources, and work with internal stakeholders to use this information to promote IRC’s work to external target audiences.
• Pitch stories about the IRC’s work to top-tier international media outlets.
• Work with Communications Generalists and global content staff to ensure content is in line with messaging and brand guidelines.
• Work with Global Communications and Content Officers on other communications initiatives as needed.

This role calls for an extremely organized, savvy communications professional/content gatherer who has experience operating in fluid and complex humanitarian emergency situations. You should have a solid understanding of the humanitarian sector, experience working with frontline programs to spot unique subjects and a gift for identifying compelling media angles and creative ways for telling stories in difficult circumstances.

Job Requirements:

Minimum:

• 2 - 4 years of professional experience producing external communications products for a global audience
• Superb interviewing, writing and storytelling skills. Able to unpack complex situations and synthesize large amounts of information to produce user-friendly content
• Experience working with international media outlets and proven record of landing top-tier media coverage
• Ability to prioritize multiple priorities and produce high-quality outcomes on a short deadline
• Ability to travel, occasionally at short notice and sometimes under strenuous conditions
• Education: B.A. degree in journalism, communications, media production or related field.