Communications & Advocacy Senior Officer

Job Description

BACKGROUND

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities which support them, as well as those who remain within their homes and communities. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

IRC COLOMBIA

A combined two decades of economic mismanagement, a drop in oil prices, and the deterioration of democratic institutions has resulted in a humanitarian crisis inside Venezuela. Insecurity has manifested following protests in April 2017 against the president and his government, particularly for failing to address the growing inflation rate which lead to large-scale food insecurity. The demonstrations were initially peaceful but grew in severity of violence as time passed. Venezuela’s economic devastation worsened in the last half of 2017. This caused a massive migration of Venezuelans into neighboring Colombia in search of affordable food, medicine and work. The number of Venezuelans living in Colombia has increased to more than one million people.

In response, the IRC has launched emergency programming in Colombia, focusing on an integrated response involving child protection, women’s protection and empowerment activities, primary and reproductive healthcare, and cash transfer programming. The IRC is in the process of delivering these and future activities directly in Colombia, and in partnership with local civil society organizations in Venezuela. In Colombia, IRC currently has operations in Cucuta, and Medellin, and is soon to expand to Bogota and Barranquilla. The IRC is now in the process of beginning education programming.

JOB OVERVIEW:

The successful candidate will work with the country team to identify and create content that supports the IRC’s communications, development, and advocacy goals. S/he will produce accurate information about the IRC’s programmatic impact to be shared across the IRC and externally. In coordination with country office staff, s/he will support communications projects to include the identification of stories and case studies, the facilitation of photographer/videographer visits and collection of key data that can be translated into impactful communication resources. S/he will work closely with Deputy Director of Programs to define advocacy priorities in Colombia and will provide guidance on key messages and talking points. S(he will help identify key advocacy spaces and stakeholders.

Together wIth Grants and Partnerships staff, S/he will also be responsible for ensuring that all IRC Colombia external communications material is up to date. This includes Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru country program fact sheets, web page content, sector-by-sector one-sheets and response updates. S/he will ensure that IRC messaging is consistent and correct across all channels. The successful candidate will show initiative in pitching the country office team creative, thumb-stopping ideas, content and stories that can be pitched to specific, and general audiences. All content will be aligned to communications and external advocacy strategies both at a country and global level.

The successful candidate will be a passionate, dynamic, creative thinker and team-player who is eager to learn and be part of a team that is committed to improving the lives of migrants in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru as well as for residents of Venezuela. Vibrant and creative communications is essential to this goal.

Reports to: Senior Grants & Partnerships Coordinator.

Major Responsibilities

- Work closely with Deputy Director of Programs to build and execute advocacy strategy. This includes providing support with talking points, key messages and proactively identifying key advocacy spaces and stakeholders. - Work closely with programs and analytics team to collect data that can be translated into impactful communications resources (factsheets, one pagers). - Collaborate with the Grants Coordinator, DDP and Country Director to develop engaging and impactful content about the IRC’s work for IRC’s own channels and for external placement. - Document testimonies of clients receiving IRC´s services, staff and community activities or key events through photos and interviews. - Working closely with Regional Comms Officer pitching content and stories that can be distributed on IRC´s global channels and increase IRC´s Venezuela Crisis Response visibility. - Support country teams in drafting visibility plans, communications budgets, and implementing them in compliance with donor standards with support from the Grants and Partnerships team. - Support country teams in designing visibility products in compliance with donor standards - Work closely with the Senior Grants & Partnerships Coordinator, DDP and Country Director to ensure that all content about the IRC’s response is both current and consistent. - Working closely with the Senior Grants & Partnerships Coordinator, DDP and Country Director, respond to information requests from news media; including research as necessary; arrange interviews; and assist journalists and photographers in coordinating coverage of IRC programs. - Working closely with the Grants Coordinator, DDP and Country Director support writing materials that may include op-eds, draft press releases, talking points, background information and Q&As about IRC programs and issues of concern. - Working closely with the technical teams, gather program progress and activities, and present in an attractive and engaging format that can be shared with project stakeholders, partners, the donor, and, potentially, externally. - Working closely with the country team organize executive strategic events to cultivate local stakeholders and recognize local support. - Ensure that all materials adhere to the branding and marketing requirements - Supervise IRC´s Graphic Design Assistant

Qualifications

Qualifications

- A master’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or other related field from an accredited university - Experience in, or familiarity with humanitarian assistance programming in Colombia - Knowledge of/experience with photography, videography, data visualization, design software and social media - Strong networks with local journalists and news outlets - Willingness and ability to travel extensively to visit field-sites and document findings - Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) - Excellent time-management and attention to detail is essential - Must be bilingual in Spanish & English.

Professional conduct standards: IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles described in IRC Way-Standards for Professional Conduct. These are integrity, service, and accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and implements policies on protecting the beneficiary from exploitation and abuse, safeguarding the child, harassment in the workplace, tax integrity and anti-retaliation.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to reducing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce, including parental leave, gender-sensitive safety protocols, and other benefits and support subsidies.

Qual Employer Opportunity: IRC is an equal opportunity employer. The IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit regardless of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law Applicable.