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

Job Purpose

The Communications Coordinator, under the direction of Operations Manager, and as part of IFRC’s global communications team, will coordinate communications and media activities ensuring that timely information is provided to Movement partners and the media for the Africa Hunger Crisis. They will also be responsible for coordinating communications resources on the ground ensuring that regular and quality communications materials are produced and distributed to highlight the humanitarian situation, needs on the ground and Red Cross Red Crescent operations.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

In line with IFRC’s Standard Operating Procedures for emergency communications, and as part of IFRC’s global communications team, the Communications Coordinator is responsible for supporting the Host NS communications and the wider Red Cross Red Crescent network through:

• Gathering and disseminating accurate and timely information on the situation to IFRC communications team and National Societies. Sharing any communications material created with the IFRC communications team for wider distribution and use among the Red Cross Red Crescent communications network.
• Supporting the gathering and development of relevant, compelling and timely communications content and messages, that can be packaged and distributed by IFRC global communications teams in the region and Geneva for various audiences and channels.
• Working with the host National Society, staying abreast of critical developments, monitoring local media and social media, and using content generated by community engagement activities, such as feedback/concerns from affected communities
• Coordinating communications support for high-level visits, as well as media related requests and visits from partner National Societies
• Ensuring strong visibility in local and international media through proactive media engagement, pitching story ideas about Red Cross and Red Crescent operations, coordinating media events and requests, as well as arranging visits to field operations, handling international media interviews when required, identifying spokespeople in country and sharing their information with media, and ensuring the availability of well-briefed spokespeople.
• Producing materials for media and external audiences and supporting in country officials (National Society and IFRC) in their media engagements.
• Together with the IFRC regional and Geneva communications team, ensuring strong social media engagement by proposing, gathering and sharing engaging content for IFRC and National Society channels, tracking trends and rumours, and supporting host National Society in responding to audience engagement with social media.
• Developing social media content and guidance to support social media engagement by IFRC and National Society staff in country.
• Supporting host National Society in planning and implementing communications strategies that are targeted and relevant on multiple channels, to help meet its fundraising objectives and position it as an effective, trusted and credible humanitarian actor in the response.
• Providing communications advice and support for major milestones throughout the operation using diverse peoplecentred content.
• Anticipating, identifying and flagging potential reputational issues, and work with regional and Geneva communications to adopt and implement appropriate response. 

Education

• University degree in journalism, communications, marketing or international policies. Required
• IFRC Emergency Communications training. Preferred
• Basic Delegated Training Course or IMPACT. FACT, ERU or RDRT Training or equivalent experience. Preferred

Experience

• At least 5 years of experience working as journalist/press officer and/or Communications officer. Required
• Ability to independently deliver a range of compelling communications content from the field including news stories, social media content and AV materials. Required
• Experience in managing communications issues in complex and delicate situations. Required
• Experience in building and maintaining media relations and contacts. Required
• Experience in emergency response. Required
• Red Cross and Red Crescent experience. Preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Knowledge of humanitarian affairs.
• Strong spoken and written English including proven experience in drafting compelling communications content for a variety of communications channels.
• Self-supporting in IT.
• Demonstrated understanding and use of social media for communications and advocacy purposes.
• Comfortable working and communicating with National Societies in a diverse environment.
• Ability to negotiate with varying partners.
• Ability to multi task and work under pressure.
• Analytical skills.
• Fluently spoken and written English. Required
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic) or Russian. Preferred