Communication Officer 2 (800026)

What we do

Since 1863, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has worked to preserve human dignity and relieve suffering caused by war and armed violence.

In collaboration with our Red Cross and Red Crescent partners around the world, we do everything we can to deliver life-saving aid, reconnect families and locate missing people – helping those who need it most, regardless of who they are and what side of the front line they are on.

We engage with authorities and armed forces on all sides, often confidentially, pressing for access to detainees to improve their living conditions and urging compliance with international humanitarian law to protect non-combatants, including from digital threats.

Purpose

Communication Officer 2 contributes to designing, planning and implementing communication projects and activities in coordination with the management of the field sub-structure and/or Communication or Communication/Prevention Manager. S/he contributes to representing the ICRC externally and building the necessary understanding and acceptance of and support for the ICRC among key stakeholders.

Accountabilities & functional responsibilities

• Contributes to defining communication and, where relevant, prevention objectives, strategies and plans of action for the geographic area or programme covered, in line with the field sub-structure's priorities and/or the delegation’s communication/prevention strategy.
• With minimum supervision, implements relevant activities and develops tools for: operational communication, community engagement, promoting international humanitarian law (IHL), building National Red Cross/Red Crescent Society communication capacity, public and digital communication, information analysis/environment scanning, interaction with religious circles, public affairs and resource mobilization.
• Supports the Head of Sub-Structure and/or Communication or Communication/Prevention Manager in networking with relevant stakeholders, and represents the ICRC to various audiences.
• Follows political, security, military and humanitarian developments, as well as other issues relevant to the ICRC's reputation/perception and capacity to operate in the geographic area covered, contributing to their analysis.
• Interprets and translates from and into the local language to support communication programmes when required.
• Provides technical and administrative support to the communication team (e.g. filing, stock management, event organization) when required.
• Supports communication-related training and coaching for field-structure staff and/or other departments when needed.

Our values

• At the ICRC, we value impact, collaboration, respect, and compassion. We seek candidates who demonstrate behaviors based on these shared values. For more information on the ICRC values, please visit this page.

Reports to (role)

• Country Communication and Prevention Manager / head of field structure

People management responsibilities

No

Scope & impact

• Remit: local or national.

Relationships

• Internally, interacts with the Head of Sub-Structure, Communication or Communication/Prevention Manager and other staff involved in communication activities.
• Externally, interacts with conflict/violence-affected population groups, local authorities, political parties, village elders, representatives of displaced communities, religious leaders, media, NGOs, advocacy groups and academic circles.

Certifications / Education required

• University degree or equivalent in a relevant field such as communications, political science, international relations or journalism.
• Fluent spoken and written English and the local language(s).
• Computer skills (proficiency in MS Office); familiarity with digital communication tools.

Professional experience required

• Minimum 3 years’ work experience in a field relevant to communication and/or prevention (preferably with the ICRC).
• Experience in an ICRC operation is an asset.
• IHL knowledge is an asset.
• Sound knowledge of the political, social and media environment in the country/region covered.