IFRC: Senior Communications Officer
: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
: Nonprofits / องค์กรไม่แสวงหาผลกำไร
: 2832
: 28 November 2016
12 December 2016
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) seeks to appoint a:
Title: Senior Communications Officer
Reports to: Head of Country Cluster Support Team
Organizational background
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest humanitarian network, reaching 150 million people each year through its 190 member National Societies. The Organisation acts before, during and after disasters and health emergences in order to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people. Our work is guided by seven fundamental principles (humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality) and by Strategy 2020, which voices our collective vision and determination to move forward in tackling the major challenges that confront humanity in the present decade.
The IFRC Country Cluster Support Team (CCST) in Bangkok, together with the Canadian Red Cross, and with the support of the Canadian Aid Agency (DFATD), is implementing the Regional Resilience Initiative (RRI), which aims to build the regional Capacity and Collaboration for Community Resilience in Southeast Asia, reducing the impact of disasters on vulnerable communities. The project will contribute towards national and regional disaster risk reduction priorities such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, legal preparedness for disasters, and gender equity through the work of Red Cross Red Crescent volunteers. A large focus of the project focuses on using communications to advocate and persuade decision makers and opinion leaders to act in the interest of vulnerable people, with full respect for fundamental humanitarian principles.
Job purpose:
The senior communications officer would be a member of the IFRC’s regional communications team and would contribute to communications efforts at a global, regional and country level, with a specific focus on support to National Societies in Southeast Asia. The main role of the communications officer focuses on providing support to the RRI by scaling up the use of digital communications approaches to conduct advocacy with decision makers and opinion leaders (for humanitarian diplomacy) for disaster management. This also includes development and dissemination of online content that enhances community engagement processes. The position holder will also drive the development of the IFRC’s regional social media strategy, by strengthening and mainstreaming the digital communications skills and approaches of both the IFRC and National Societies in the region
Job duties and responsibilities
The job duties are divided according to funding for the position; 80 per cent of the focus for this position is on the regional resilience initiative and its related activities and projects which focus on National Societies in the 10 ASEAN countries plus Timor-Leste, while 20 per cent will focus on activities that support the objectives of the IFRC’s regional communications team in Asia Pacific. The breakdown is specified as follows:
Events
- Internal events: support workshops or trainings at a national or regional level for the RRI, related activities and other internal events; this includes liaising with internal colleagues for dissemination of necessary or existing training materials, developing event marketing materials with the communication manager and graphic artist (including production via the administration team as required), supporting necessary administration requirements such as flights, hotel bookings, etc.
- External events: liaise with internal staff as required and external focal points for events involving the IFRC and National Societies in the region to identify needs, develop communication plans, produce or gather materials required and manage / execute for the event itself, and develop event marketing materials with the CCST? communication manager and graphic artist (including production via the administration team as required).
- Provide support to National Society and IFRC country office counterparts for events as required
Publications and online communication
- Promote the work of the IFRC and National Societies in Southeast Asia, ensuring a regular flow of products related to communications priorities, including; web stories, photos, videos, articles as well as support on the production of other publications such as case studies and advocacy reports. This includes cooperation with other programme managers and appropriate technical departments.
- Enhance internal and external communication through the identification of opportunities to improve/streamline internal processes, enhance information-sharing and the use of new online platforms, and coordinate with relevant Knowledge and Information Management projects.
- Support information management and dissemination (both online and offline) for Red Cross Red Crescent activities in the region, feeding specifically into regional or global publications and initiatives (Annual report, annual appeal, International Day of Disaster Risk Reduction, Red Cross Red Crescent World Days, etc.) in cooperation with National Societies in the region, the communication and humanitarian diplomacy units.
- Liaise between graphic designers and professional editors on the production of electronic and printed materials as required; liaise with the support services team to decide on suppliers and providers of technical services (printers, advertising agencies, communications consultants) to ensure high quality of produced materials, and support the dissemination of the printed materials both online and offline.
- Ensure that materials produced by and for the CCST and regional offices are in alignment with the International Federation’s Visual Identity guidelines, as well as Canadian Red Cross and the Canadian Government as donors for the regional resilience initiative.
- Support campaign initiatives including the adaptation /production of guidelines and campaign-related kits to better engage the National Societies as well as youth/volunteers leaders. Create marketed documents, including coordinating surveys, research and impact studies to promote the campaigns both internally and externally. Ensure a steady flow of information to keep up involvement of the region, National Societies and youth leaders.
- Support on the writing/editing of communication-related documents and publications
Digital communication
- Provide technical expertise and guidance as required to IFRC and National Society staff to increase use of social media and online communication. This includes the use of social media for advocacy and community engagement, so that the voice and aspirations of community members are promoted for advocacy at the national and global level, and community engagement is promoted for communication before, during and after disasters.
- Manage the development and implementation of the regional online advocacy platform, building on developments in 2015.
- Lead on the development of social media guidance materials for relevant advocacy, and provide other technical support for specific events and conferences related to the regional resilience initiative and other as required events.
Asia Pacific regional focus
- To contribute to the development of the IFRC’s regional social media and digital engagement strategy
- Identify innovative and cost-effective opportunities to expand platforms and network socially in other languages to cater to the regional/global audiences
- Design, develop and deliver trainings in aspects of online / digital communications that support National society communications capacity building efforts. Trainings will take various forms including workshops and webinars. Enhance and expand the IFRC’s digital footprint in the AP region by developing and implementing social media plans linked to specific programmes, operations and events
- Provide strategic leadership to develop and increase the IFRC’s online presence and social media reach in Asia Pacific
- Support the development of effective advocacy campaigns, ensuring coherence and alignment with media strategies for operational and thematic issues and events.
GENERAL
Provide support to other communication initiatives within the global team to ensure coherence and alignment with goals of the IFRC and the regional resilience initiative, respecting visual guidelines and other guidelines for corporate communications.
Qualifications, experience and skills required:
- University Degree in Social Science is preferred
- Minimum 5 years’ experience working for a humanitarian organization in a developing country is preferred
- 4 years’ experience of working in journalism, communications or public relations (for publications)
- At least 2 years’ experience in digital communications is preferred
- Experience of the procedures and reporting requirements of a variety of donor organizations is preferred
- Prefer experience of communicating on programmes, beneficiary communication will be an asset
- Previous working experience at the Federation Secretariat, field experience and/or National Society is preferred
- Broad understanding of Red Cross Red Crescent policies and activities is preferred
- Skills in representation at international level
- Skills in advocacy and negotiation
- Skills in staff management
- Skills in writing and researching
- Pro-active and creative mindset in developing programmes
- Capacity building" skills or experiences in working with counterparts
- Strong experience in new social media, website management
- WORC and Impact course are preferred
- Self-supporting in computers
- Ability to travel to the field
- Fluently spoken and written English
- Thai citizenship or foreigners holding a valid work and residence permit to live and work in Thailand
Interested candidates should submit the application to anchalee.limpiponpaiboon@ifrc.org and include:
- Covering Letter in MS WORD format
- Curriculum Vitae with salary expectation in MS WORD format
Application material are non-returnable, and we thank you in advance for understanding that only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the next step in the application process.
Closing date: 12 December 2016
More information about IFRC, please see www.ifrc.org.
Contact : anchalee.limpiponpaiboon@ifrc.org
