Communications Assistant at The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

Job Number: S02887

Organizational Context

• The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC or “the Federation”) is the World’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network.  The Federation is a membership organization established by and comprised of its member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.  Along with National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Federation is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. 
• The overall aim of the IFRC is” to 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.” It works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.
• 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 International Federation to serve, connect, and represent National Societies. 
• The Secretariat’s focus includes providing support to the IFRC governance mechanisms; setting norms and standards; providing guidance; ensuring consistency; coordination and accountability for performance; knowledge sharing; promoting collaboration within and respect for the RCRC Movement; and expanding engagement with partners.
• The IFRC office in Abuja supports the Red Cross National Societies of the Abuja Country Cluster (Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana) and has a status agreement with the Nigerian government.
• The Abuja Cluster office delivers the IFRC mandate in the sub-region with a focus on Disaster Management, Capacity Building of the National Societies and Humanitarian Diplomacy.

Job Purpose

• The Communications Assistant, under the technical supervision of the Senior Communications Officer based in Abuja, will support the Abuja Country Cluster Delegation and the project and program managers of the IFRC cluster officer to develop quality communication materials and to work with the communications teams of the National Societies.

Job Duties and Responsibilities
The communications Assistant will have the following responsibilities:

• To strengthen the network of communications officers in the sub-region to engage them and to look for stories from National Societies with a view to profiling their operational successes and humanitarian needs.
• To gather content (images and stories) from National Societies, and share them on the social media or share them with Africa region for profiling regionally and internationally
• To support the Cluster office to handle/channel media queries during emergencies
• To participate in the regional editorial network of the Africa regional office
• To prepare a weekly summary of key humanitarian news in the sub-region
• To support the Nigerian Red Cross communications work as required

Requirements

Education:
Required:

• University Degree, or equivalent, in relevant discipline (Journalism, Digital Marketing, International relations, etc)
• Relevant post-graduate degree or MBA (or equivalent)

Experience
Required:

• Previous experience in media relations
• Previous experience in content development
• Previous experience in social media and digital marketing

Preferred:

• Work experience with RC/RC
• Work experience with other international non-governmental organization (INGO) or humanitarian and/or human rights organization

Knowledge, Skills and Languages:

• Good writing and editing skills
• Good communication and inter-personal skills

Languages:

• Fluently spoken and written English
• Good command of French (will be an asset)

Competencies, 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