Communications Officer - NCA

Job Description

Based: El Salvador or Guatemala or Honduras

BACKGROUND

Over the past 80 years, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has developed unparalleled expertise in responding to emergencies and helping uprooted communities to rebuild. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC’s mission is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. The IRC is on the ground in more than 40 countries, providing emergency relief and rebuilding lives in the wake of disaster. Through 28 regional offices in cities across the United States, the IRC also helps refugees resettle in the US and become self-sufficient. The IRC is committed to a culture of bold leadership, innovation in all aspects of our work, creative partnerships and, most crucially, accountability to those we serve. The IRC is a tireless advocate for the most vulnerable.

The IRC began working in El Salvador in 1984 during the civil war and returned to Central America in 2017 to respond to the humanitarian crises of violence and internal displacement. IRC expanded programming to Guatemala and Honduras and is working to support national partners in developing lasting solutions to challenges in countering gender-based violence, displacement, shelter and safety, health care, sanitation, emergency assistance, improved government services, and livelihoods. Prioritizing sustainability and long-term impact, the IRC engages civil society organizations, government, and other key stakeholders in partnerships and capacity strengthening to ensure lasting gains for communities in need.

Job overview

We are looking for a Communications Officer who has a highly creative and strategic approach to positioning our work and our partners to donors, NGO partners, the communities with whom we work, to government agencies. Our Communications Officer must be passionate about working in a global humanitarian response organization.

In this role, you will conceive, develop, and drive our Northern Central America communications strategy. The role would collaborate with Global Communications for positioning with international audiences, including IRC priority markets (US, UK and European Union).

With a strong focus on storytelling, data and evidence, you'll take advantage of multiple communication channels – social media, events, print materials and an effective PR strategy – to effectively connect with IRC employees, our partners, our clients, our donors and our government partners throughout El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. You will approach this work with an inclusion lens, keeping in mind the diversity of our clients, our core values, and our need to protect people at risk of violence and displacement.

You will be also an excellent writer and communicator; a creative and out-of-the-box thinker; highly strategic about messaging, timing, and communications channels; comfortable using social media to share stories; and are goal-oriented and an outstanding collaborator - gaining partnership and collaboration from IRC staff across all levels of the three countries. If you are someone who understands how strategic communications can drive impact and improve our humanitarian response, then this is an outstanding role for you.

Responsibilities

- Design, plan and implement a comprehensive, multi-channel communications strategy designed to effectively position the IRC and our work to donors, partner NGOs, the communities in which we work, and municipal governments so that they know what we do, why we do it and how we add value. - Collaborate with IRC project teams to develop print and social media assets, clients’ stories, and other communication tools to effectively communicate with target audiences. - Contribute to the development and implementation of the CuentaNos social media and digital strategy to engage community members, NGO service providers, and other stakeholders. - Contract and supervise communication service providers such as photographers, graphic designers, public relations firms, and others to create communications products including graphics, photography, and video. - Develop and drive an NCA communications calendar, report impact and results of communications efforts - Collaborate with IRC project teams to design reports, success stories, visually document lessons learned, challenges, and accomplishments. Write and edit success stories, in close coordination with programs teams - Coordinate with regional communications leadership to ensure IRC and donor branding regulations guidelines are followed. - Work in partnership with the Country Director, Director of Programs, CuentaNos team and regional communications team on communications initiatives, as needed - Step in and support IRC operations, as needed, including willingness to respond to humanitarian crisis including natural disasters. - Develop relationships with journalists from national outlets (Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras) to create media positioning opportunities, in calibration with Global Communications. - Support Global Communications in the development of materials related to positioning opportunities with international media and for global IRC campaigns, including the annual fundraising event.

Qualifications

- 5+ years’ experience in NGO communications; previous experience in marketing or public relations/journalism is preferred. - Consistent record of developing communications strategies that are creative and engaging, and generate positive impact for an organization - A “big picture” problem solver, bias for taking action, loves to drive projects independently, while collaborating cross-functionally - Experience coaching executive leadership on communications - Excellent writing abilities in Spanish – flair for simple and clear writing, great grammar, and well-honed editorial skills. - Data enthusiast – problem solver who can pull and analyze data to uncover opportunities that improve our internal communications efforts - Easily navigates technology - proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and other desktop publishing and video editing tools. Knowledge of social media platforms/channels and experience in integrating such tools for internal communication purposes. Experience running an intranet is desirable. - Track record of handling vendors effectively - Able to build positive relationships and work in a fast-paced, multi-cultural environment and to meet crisis communications and time limitations with persistence and humor - Sense of humor under pressure - Experience in international humanitarian organizations a plus but not required - Written and spoken English at an intermediate level.

IRC considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. IRC encourages applications from the communities we serve: women, survivors of violence or displacement, migrants and returnees, refugees, LGBTI+ population.

Standards of Professional Conduct: The IRC and IRC workers adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and implements policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing 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 security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits including paid time off, private medical insurance and life insurance.