Senior Communications Officer

  • Added Date: Thursday, 30 November 2023
  • Deadline Date: Monday, 29 April 2024
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Deliver annual Global and Multilateral Communications strategy and regular reporting on progress. Deliver strategic proactive and reactive US media relations, leveraging insights and expertise in both international and humanitarian media to increase the IRCโ€™s media share of voice and digital engagement โ€“ with a keen eye for advocacy priorities. Assist on key executive communications initiatives including working with the CEO ahead of key external appearances, preparing briefings and thinking strategically about time requests for key executives. Deploy excellent writing skills to deliver pitches that land IRC-led features, high-level IRC messages for cross-organizational use, top tier landing op-eds, and talking points for spokespeople. Respond to media queriesโ€”providing accurate information, arranging interviews, preparing staff as needed, and facilitating media visits to field programs as needed, including during emergencies and breaking news. Provide surge media outreach support during emergencies (20%) / as indicated by the US Communications Director and/or Director of Global Communications Act as the IRC spokesperson and representative to external and internal audiences, both via media interviews and contributing to digital content. Provide media training to field spokespeople as needed. Partner with in-house and external experts to produce Digital Content and Communications outputs that are integrated with strategic external relations objectives, aligned to clear distribution, and measurement, working closely with the Marketing Communications department. Contribute to quarterly reports on media coverage and content results using industry standard metrics and bench-marking. Deliver global strategic guidance on media relations best practice โ€“ including custom market (geo) approaches to: organizing target outlets; journalists with segue to Meltwater/Cision/Muckrack databases for specific issues or geographies, and identifying cut-through and ongoing editorial opportunities for IRC stories and campaigns; training focal points on media reporting and metrics best practice. Strengthen and develop internal systems, processes, and talent to deliver communications objectives. Coordinate and lead global crisis and emergency communications, including high profile field visits and high-speed content gathering. Deliver and lead executive communications for IRC leaders, including the CEO, as needed. Expand and nurture IRCโ€™s communications network. Manage Communications Manager, encouraging development and duty-of-care. Foster environment that exhibits the IRC Way and GEDI values.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Communications Director, US

Job Requirements:

Education and work experience Minimum: Bachelorโ€™s degree in communications, journalism, international affairs or related field or equivalent 6 to 8 years of professional experience in communications, media or advocacy preferably with a focus on international affairs or issues that cross with the humanitarian sector. In house/agency communications preferable

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

Minimum: The Communications Senior Officer demonstrates a flexible approach and ability to navigate ambiguity, as well as multiple projects and priorities at once Ability to work effectively, efficiently, diplomatically, and calmly in a fast-paced environment on issues that are often sophisticated and politically sensitive. Deep knowledge and experience of working successfully with US media covering international and humanitarian issues and proven track-record of results. Experience in producing and editing, under tight deadlines, accurate and dynamic communications materials including press-releases, op-eds and talking points. Experience training and coaching global media teams in industry best practice, reporting, and technology Experience running emergency communications efforts as well as handling reputational issues management Record of creativity in developing compelling content, and dogged pursuit of targets in achievement of communications objectives across different channels (media, social, web etc.) Experience working with executive level leaders within a public profile organization with speed, fluency and accountability. Experience in management and track record of fostering a positive team culture

Working Environment: Standard office work environment. Up to 20% travel required. The IRC can accommodate for hybrid working and offer the possibility of working from home as agreed with their supervisor.

Compensation:

Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

US Benefits:

We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days (depending on role and tenure), medical insurance starting at $145 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus a 3-7% base IRC contribution (3 year vesting), disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

This vacancy is archived.

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