Senior Communications Officer at International Rescue Committee

Job Summary: 

• The Senior Communications Officer will lead and deliver the programme’s communications function, shape its narrative, and strengthen high-impact communications in support of this global flagship initiative. Working closely with the External Engagement and Influencing (EEI) pillar, the role will build the programme’s external and internal communications capacity and support advocacy and influencing efforts that engage key stakeholders and build shared agendas across the wider VAWG prevention field. The role will be responsible for translating research findings and programme evidence into clear, audience-specific messages and formats (such as policy briefs, reports, presentations, and media content) and strategically disseminating to policy makers, implementers, funders, and other stakeholders in order to influence policy, inform practice, secure funding, and build broader awareness and support for GBV prevention efforts. The role will supervise a social media and Digital Officer.

Responsibilities: 

Communication for advocacy and influencing

• Serve as the key communications link between the implementation and research consortia, coordinating on products and publications, and delivering the programme’s evidence dissemination strategy.
• Lead the synthesis and translation of evidence from the grants and studies into easily accessible, engaging, and user-friendly formats for the consortium, VAWG prevention stakeholders, related sectors (e.g. education, climate, humanitarian response), donors, media, and the public.
• Coordinate with the EEI team, grant managers, and technical advisors to respond to information requests, gather material, and identify trends and highlights for donor visibility products and reporting.
• Support the planning, delivery, and visibility of What Works II events and conferences (virtual and in person), including briefing packages and visibility materials for high-level visits and donor engagements.

 Narrative development & strategic messaging

• Develop communication frameworks and forge strategic partnerships around the release of major communication products, events, commemorations, and milestones.
• Translate complex technical documents into clear and compelling narratives for external stakeholders.
• Support policy-related communications as needed.
• Support programme leadership in developing speaking notes, keynote presentations, thought leadership content, opinion pieces, and strategic messaging.

Issues management & crisis communications

• Lead crisis preparedness and response planning, including the development of crisis communication frameworks, playbooks, and escalation protocols.
• Provide strategic guidance during sensitive or high-profile situations involving media, regulatory, operational, or reputational risks.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to develop messaging and stakeholder communications during critical events.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen programme positioning and proactively work with programme leadership to manage reputational risks.

Producing and managing multimedia and communications content 

• Produce multimedia and communications content tailored to political, academic, and activist audiences.
• Lead internal communications priorities, including producing and disseminating the quarterly newsletter.
• Source photography, case studies, and field evidence; identify photography opportunities; support the hiring of freelance photographers and videographers, ensuring adherence to informed-consent principles; manage content-collection shoots as needed.
• Produce or project-manage graphic design and formatting support for donor and public-facing materials (reports, briefs, templates).
• Ensure that all materials adhere to the What Works II Programmes branding requirements and applicable donor requirements.
• Compile digital media metrics and communications achievements for quarterly donor reporting.

Line Management: 

• Supervise the Social Media and Digital Officer, with oversight of:
• Social media management (X/Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, Facebook).
• What Works II website management.

Requirements:  

• A bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, English, public relations or another related field from an accredited university. 
• Experience in, or familiarity with development and/or humanitarian programming and operating in an emergency context. 
• Willingness and ability to travel to visit field-sites and document findings.
• Knowledge of/experience with graphic design and social media photography, and videography.
• Fluent written and spoken English required. Knowledge of French or Arabic an added advantage.

Experience:  

• A minimum of 6-8 years of professional experience in a similar role.
• Experience in a communications role and demonstrate experience of developing public/ audience facing documents/ content.
• Experience of using social media for communications and advocacy
• Excellent IT skills, including Advanced Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint. Including experience with communication related AI packages.
• Experience working with quantitative and digital metrics data (desirable)
• Experience of using digital analytics tools and good analytical skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Proven ability to manage a heavy and fluctuating workload 
• Proven ability to manage conflicting demands of a large cross-organizational team 
• Proven ability to prioritize own workload 
• Proven experience in organization of events/workshops
• Results orientated 
• Knowledge or experience working in donor funded programmes