IFRC Senior Communication Officer Job in Kenya

Job title: Senior Officer, Communication

Unit / dept / delegation: Communication Department, Eastern Africa Regional Representation, Nairobi

Reports to: Advocacy advisor

Communications Manager, Africa – technical line manager

Purpose

Reporting to the Advocacy advisor for Eastern Africa, with a technical reporting line to the communications manager for Africa, this position will:
be responsible for media relations, proactively pitching stories, not only during emergencies but also regarding ‘silent disasters’, and by providing media kits and briefs on key humanitarian issues relevant to International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and NS work
support the communications needs and capacity building of the fifteen Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies (NS) served by the Nairobi regional office (covering East Africa, the Horn of Africa and Indian Ocean Islands)
help profile the work of the NS while positioning the IFRC as a trusted source of information and opinion on our global and African priorities
work closely with the IFRC East Africa program team to support their work and highlight impacts
support the regional representative in writing briefs, talking points, Q&A and speeches
support colleagues on various pan-African communications projects and liaise with Geneva, through the IFRC Communications Manager, Africa, on global projects and campaigns
serve as an agent of innovation and social mobilization with a focus on youth and beneficiaries.
develop and coordinate IFRC publications including situation reports, regional monthly newsletter for an external audience, Africa Reportage, annual reports, policy briefs, key messages, case studies and any other communication materials as required
coordinate with communication counterparts in other organisations through regional communication meetings and other opportunities
support the coordination and organization of events for IFRC and NS, as required.
The post holder will support emergency response situations as they arise with fast, accurate media work with strategic impact, in close collaboration with the Africa Zone Communications Manager, producing multimedia stories for IFRC’s website.

Key duties and responsibilities

Develop a regional communication strategy that will address the following:

Media Relations -Reacting and responding/ taking a proactive approach/ networking
Build and sustain relationships with members of the international press and other professional communications networks in the region. Maintain a database of national and international journalists and media contacts; ensure they receive press releases etc
Monitor media trends in the region
Pitch stories and identify media needs and offer adequate options for media tours to IFRC and NS operations/programmes
Assist in the development and maintenance of a roster of credible Red Cross and Red Crescent spokespersons
Capacity building and support to NS
Provide support to National Societies communications teams in the production of their own plans and budgets
Work closely with information and communications colleagues in the National Societies to facilitate the development of their relationship with the media, production of communications materials etc
Support NS in time of emergencies
Raise IFRC and NS in East Africa profile and serve as an agent of innovation and social mobilization with a focus on youth and beneficiaries
Use innovative methods and new communication technologies to deliver a multimedia strategy that communicates on IFRC’s work and impacts while giving youth and beneficiaries a voice
Design and create high quality communications materials that result in broad visibility of IFRC and NS humanitarian impacts, based on evidence from the field
Reach out to a wide audience, especially youth, through the use of the latest communication technologies such as web communications, social media and virtual communities, in line with IFRC's Strategy 2020
Liaise with the IFRC Communications Manager, Africa to support global campaigns
Coordinate with communication counterparts in other organisations
Maintain a database on key stakeholders, communications and advocacy working groups, donors and decisions makers in east Africa and ensure key messages are communicated in the right forums
Internal communication and support
Develop regional plans and budget to provide communications support
Support the Regional Representative in matters of official communication, speeches, and communication material for meeting with key stakeholders and donors
Develop a communication calendar with key regional and international dates and events
Respond in a timely fashion to routine enquiries from the press and requests from other parts of the Movement for information
Write articles for internal and external Red Cross publications, including Africa Reportage, online channels such as www.ifrc.org or other corporate/internal platforms
During field trips write case studies and take photographs to document the IFRC/NS programmes and share these with the media as appropriate
Work closely with programme teams, secure and use their resources efficiently to ensure that quality promotional/marketing materials are produced to highlight our actions and impacts to partners and the general public
Maintain a database of publishers, designers, videographers, photographers and other specialist technical communications contacts. When appropriate propose the services of these freelancers to the various departments, IFRC representations and/or NS
Inform Federation colleagues of their responsibilities in relation to the media, corporate communication and disseminate guidance on this
Duties applicable to all staff
Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation's goals
Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross Red Crescent principles
Perform any other work related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager
Impact of Results:

Through identifying and supporting the communication needs of National Societies in IFRC East Africa region, Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, donors and beneficiaries, IFRC’s profile, as well as that of the NS, will be raised especially after promoting IFRC’s key issues, and promoting the voices of the communities in which IFRC works.

Required Qualifications

Education
University degree, preferably in media studies, public relations and/or communication related
Experience
Minimum 5 years experience of working in communication in a similar position
Professional experience working for the Red Cross/Red Crescent
Skills and Knowledge
Sound knowledge and proven experience in office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), web based management systems
Proven experience with web communications, social media and virtual communities
Proven experience in large and complex emergencies response
Experience of working in a cross-cultural and cross-functional environment
Demonstrable experience in designing and implementing communications strategies
Strong interpersonal and problem solving skills and good understanding of the global organization
Ability to manage and deliver communication strategies in a challenging environment.
Excellent communication skills, writing skills and ability to provide authoritative advice
Good understanding of humanitarian challenges affecting East Africa
Sensitivity to challenging political contexts
Knowledge of video gathering and editing, an asset
Language
Fluency in both spoken and written English
Working knowledge of French
Competencies
Ability to work in a team and coordinate with others
Ability to work to tight deadlines and handle multiple tasks
High degree of integrity, discretion, and personal conduct
Flexible and adaptable to changing working conditions
Self-motivated, with good judgment and initiative
Good verbal and written communication skills
Good interpersonal skills
Ability and willingness to support and help others
Sensitivity to diversity
Good level of attention to detail
Innovation
Demonstrates commitment to IFRC’s mission, vision and values.
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
Submission of applications:

CV and cover letter should be submitted by email to hr.eastafrica@ifrc.org; to be received not later than March 29th 2013.

Kindly note that due to the large volumes of applications received;

1.Only e-mail applications will be accepted

2.Received applications will be short-listed on an on-gong basis

3.Only short listed candidates will be contacted