Communications Officer at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

International Rescue Committee (IRC)Borno, Nigeria Networking and Tech Support

Full Time

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a global humanitarian aid, relief and development nongovernmental organization. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers emergency aid and long-term assistance to refugees and those displaced by war, persecution or natural disaster. The IRC is currently working in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities where it resettles refugees and helps them become self-sufficient. Composed of first responders, humanitarian relief workers, international development experts, health care providers, and educators, the IRC has assisted millions of people around the world since its founding in 1933.

Job Overview/Summary

The Communications Officer will support internal and external communications and visibility initiatives for the IRC in Nigeria. Under the guidance of the Senior Advocacy and Communications Manager, the Communications Officer will be responsible for designing and delivering a range of communications products, including country office fact sheets, briefing materials, program success stories, photos, videos, interviews with clients, blog posts for the IRC’s website, social medial posts and staff profiles. The post holder will be expected to support the development and maintenance of a communications strategy for the country office, train staff on communications approaches, and be accountable for meeting IRC Nigeria’s contractual visibility requirements. The position is supervised by the Senior Advocacy and Communications Manager who will work closely with Grants and Partnerships staff, Field Coordinators, Senior Area Managers, and program staff.

Major Responsibilities

Implement the IRC Nigeria internal, external and donor communications strategies.
Liaise with the global communications/advocacy teams to raise awareness of humanitarian needs in Nigeria.
Lead in designing and developing information and visibility materials, such as fact sheets, briefing papers, brochures, posters, and social media content.
Advise IRC colleagues on compliance with IRC and donor branding and visibility guidelines as needed.
Coordinate the sign-off on branded items and products as needed.
Support to facilitate media/communications/advocacy visits to field bases.
Proactively seek out interesting stories from programs, initiating or accompanying field visits to collect high-quality photos, quotes, and audio and video material suitable for use in media and communication products.
Help IRC Country Program staff to proactively prepare for communications’ needs contributing to overall better information flow and coordination of all programming.
Support the Communications Manager to build IRC and partner capacity on external communications.
Maintain a database of essential connections and establish a solid working relationship with relevant media practitioners in Nigeria and field locations.
Maintain communication resource materials and products library inbox.
Support in the updating and implement an internal and external communications and advocacy strategy for IRC Nigeria
Liaise with the advocacy and communication coordinator to periodically review the IRC Nigeria communications and advocacy strategy and raise awareness of humanitarian needs in Nigeria.
Support in designing and developing information and visibility materials, such as fact sheets, briefing papers, brochures, posters, and social media content.
Facilitate and promote dynamic communications methods, such as novel media outreach, original digital content, and dynamic, audience-driven social media output, with internal stakeholders such as field teams, advocates, fundraisers, and technical specialists.
Develop and track implementation of donor visibility and branding plan
Proactively seek out interesting stories from programs, initiating or accompanying field visits to collect high-quality photos, quotes and audio and video material suitable for use in media and communication products.
Help IRC country program staff to proactively prepare for communications needs contributing to overall better information flow and coordination of all programming
Train, coach and support IRC program staff and partners on external communications, including how to recognize and disseminate relevant information, data, and human-interest stories from their work in order to convey project successes and positive influences on clients' lives.

Key Working Relationships

Position Reports to: Advocacy and Communication Coordinator
Indirect/Technical Reporting: Team Lead/Field coordinator
Position directly Supervises: Nill
Key Internal Contacts: Grants, M&E, Deputy team Lead, Programs teams/Global Communications/Advocacy, AMU, and others as appropriate
Key External Contacts: Partners, media contacts, donors, and others as appropriate.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (Mass Communications, Journalism, Humanitarian Affairs, etc.)

Work Experience:

Minimum 3 years’ experience in communications, preferably with a focus on international affairs or issues that cross with the humanitarian sector.

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

Experience in communications, Advocacy, journalism or documentation, ideally for an international humanitarian organization;
Demonstrated experience producing public relations and/or visibility materials in different media;
Experience with websites and blogs;
Experience with photography, videography, and script-writing;
Experience in conducting trainings and workshops is desirable;
Experience in developing and delivering comprehensive communications plans, Advocacy papers, context analysis.
Strong written communication and editing skills (including creative writing) with the ability to make complex information and data accessible to non-experts;
Computer literacy: Proficiency in MS Word, MS PowerPoint and MS Publishing or other publishing software required with experience in graphic design/layout for publications required;
Ability to operate in a high-pressure workplace successfully, efficiently, professionally, and calmly on matters that are often difficult and politically sensitive.
Experience with GIS/map making
Ability to operate in a fast-paced environment and prioritize tasks;
Understanding of the humanitarian context in Nigeria;