Organizational Context
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the worldโs largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies. The overall aim of the IFRC is โto inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.โ The IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.
The IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of the IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.
The IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate
Services.
The IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
The IFRC also has country cluster delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.
As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the work of IFRC is guided by seven fundamental principles; humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.
The Federation is served by a Secretariat based in Geneva, with regional and country offices throughout the world. The Secretariat is led by the IFRC Secretary General and provides the central capacity of the Federation to serve, connect, and represent National Societies. The IFRC Secretariat also provides support to the IFRC governance mechanisms by setting norms and standards; providing guidance; ensuring consistency & coordination, accountability for performance, knowledge sharing; promoting collaboration within -and respect for the RCRC Movement; and expanding engagement with partners.
The DREF is the IFRC Fund for supporting immediate disaster response and anticipatory action by the National Societies and is managed by the Secretariat. It provides allocations as loans or grants depending on the scale of the early actions and response operations and has an annual budget of around CHF 40 million, with funding
contributed by governments, institutional, corporate and private donors through an annual plan.
The IFRC is scaling up the DREF and is committed to working with donors to reach up to 300 million Swiss francs over the next three years (100 million Swiss francs per year by 2025). The aim is for 25 per cent of this funding to be directed to anticipatory action. Acting before a disaster happens saves lives and protects livelihoods. The scale-up of DREF will enable to cover the needs of more people in medium or small-scale disasters and crises and reduce the impact of disasters and crises through multiplied early actions.
This position is based in the Global Service Center, in Budapest.
Job Purpose
The IFRC-DREF Senior Communications Officer shall be the main liaison with the Partnership and Resource Development Department (PRD) and the DREF team to ensure the development and implementation of communication strategies and assets, coordinate communications support, and source for information and content.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
- Coordinate the implementation of the IFRC-DREF communications strategy, leading up to key milestones and events including the pledging conference, ensuring close monitoring and follow up, adequate consultation at relevant levels, and regular update whenever required.
- Contribute to the planning, development and implementation of audience-focused marketing and fundraising campaigns to enhance IFRC-DREFโs visibility and strengthen the organization's brand presence.
- Together with the global communications team, and in consultation with partner National Societies, develop communications plans and tactics and lead on the implementation of activities to promote and generate visibility on the operations supported by IFRC-DREF, as well as its impact on affected communities.
- In coordination with the SPRM Department, the IFRC-DREF team and IFRC regional communications teams, source for relevant information, and prepare communications materials and targeted content (i.e., Updated Key Messages, Guidance Q&A, suggested social media posts for various spokespeople and key
representatives, etc.) to build a comprehensive narrative with substantive content on IFRC-DREF in particular in the weeks leading up to the conference and during the event. - Reach out to communications focal points of relevant partner National Societies, coordinate discussions and share updates to ensure that they are on board with and contribute to the communications plan and activities and are part of the implementation.
- Coordinate with the global communications as well as partner National Societiesโ communications teams to explore visibility and communications engagement opportunities, to reach out to media partners to promote and highlight IFRC-DREF support to climate-related disasters and small-medium scale disasters,
its benefits to affected communities, in traditional and digital media. - Prepare, implement, and update the IFRC-DREF donor visibility plan and related communications package including photos, stories of supported communities, and leadership endorsements.
- Support the coordination and organization of media briefings and media interviews with relevant spokespeople, monitor and report back on IFRC-DREFโs public communications coverage.
- Manage the dedicated IFRC-DREF X account. In collaboration with the PRD and IFRC-DREF teams, maintain and update the IFRC-DREF web page and Council page on ifrc.org
Duties applicable to all staff
1. Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariatโs goals
2. Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles
3. Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manageEducation
Required
- University Degree in journalism, communications or international relations.
Preferred
- Red Cross Red Crescent, humanitarian, development and management training or equivalent experience.
Experience
Required
- Experience of working in complex disaster environments, including a track record of coordinating, inspiring and leading.
Knowledge, Skills and Languages
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
Required
Strong knowledge of current affairs as they relate to humanitarian developments Strong professional and management skills and ability to both be proactive and ready to respond rapidly to changing needs from senior management. Ability to lead and manage in a diverse cultural and social context. Analytical and strategic thinking. Strong relationship management skills including ability to rapidly build and extend professional networks. Excellent writing and public presentation Proven track record in donorsโ communicationsLANGUAGES
Required
Fluently spoken and written English.Preferred
Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic) or RussianCompetencies, Values and Comments
Values: Respect for Diversity, Integrity, Professionalism, Accountability
Core Competencies: Communication, Collaboration and Teamwork, Judgement and Decision Making, National Society and Customer Relations, Creativity and Innovation, Building Trust
Managerial Competencies: Managing Staff Performance, Managing Staff Development