Communications Officer, Poland

Job Description

Background/IRC Summary:

The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, IRC offers life-saving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in more than 40 countries and in 22 U.S. cities, IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted by conflict or disaster. IRC leads the way from harm to home.

Millions of people have fled across borders to seek safety in Poland since the escalation of conflict in Ukraine. As the vast majority of the displaced are women, girls, and boys, this could become the worst humanitarian crisis Europe has seen in decades.

The IRC has launched an emergency response to support refugees from Ukraine in Poland, and is working with partner agencies in Poland to facilitate immediate assistance that can be used where it is needed the most. Simultaneously, the IRC is establishing operations across Ukraine and Poland to complement partner response services either in breadth or scale.

This position will be based in Warsaw, Poland with frequent travel in the region. The Communications Officer will act as a spokesperson as needed.

Communications, Marketing & Mobilization (M&M) is a dynamic team that is tasked with building the IRC’s global profile and brand, increasing private revenue from deeper donor engagement and partnerships, and influencing our target audiences. The team is responsible for all of IRC's brand, communications, creative and content and digital engagement efforts. In alignment with our Strategy100 commitments, M&M has launched compelling multi-year campaigns that raise funding, profile and influence and will improve our share of voice and resonance in key geographies and globally. Lastly, they consistently work on innovating the IRC brand, which enables us to increase awareness, understanding of and support for our work so that we can raise more money and change policies to improve our crisis-affected clients’ lives around the world.

JOB OVERVIEW

We are looking for a Communications Officer to lead communications strategy for the IRC’s response to the Ukraine Crisis in Poland. This person will have a highly creative and strategic approach to positioning our work to key external target audiences, institutional and corporate donors, the NGO sector, people living in Poland, and to government agencies and policymakers. The Communications Officer should be passionate about working in a global humanitarian response organization.

In this role, you will conceive, develop, and drive our communications strategy to promote our programming with refugees from Ukraine in Poland. 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 knowledge management, media, storytelling, data and evidence, you'll take advantage of multiple communication channels to effectively connect with IRC audiences. 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 an excellent writer and communicator; a creative problem solver; goal-oriented and an outstanding collaborator partnering with IRC staff across all levels. If you are someone who understands how communications can drive impact and improve our humanitarian response, then this is an outstanding role for you!

RESPONSIBILITIES

- Design, plan and implement a comprehensive communications strategy designed to effectively position the IRC and our programs to target audiences, including supporters, donors, the communities in which we work, and policymakers. - Lead IRC’s media and PR on the response in Poland; writing press releases, developing relationships with journalists from national and international outlets, pitching stories, and hosting reporters to visit IRC programming in Poland. - Serve as an expert on IRC's work in Poland, keeping track of and sharing information about programming and context, identifying unique media angles, and spotting compelling stories to share on external channels. - Produce compelling content and stories from start to finish, contracting and supervising communication vendors such as photographers and videographers, and drafting and editing outputs in collaboration with External Relations teams. - Draft articles, social media posts, and other communications content for sharing on IRC channels. - Develop and drive a communications calendar, report impact and results of communications efforts. - Coordinate with regional communications leadership to ensure IRC and donor branding guidelines are followed. - Work in partnership with the Country Director, Director of Programs, and regional communications team on communications initiatives, as needed. - Support Global Communications in the development of materials for global IRC campaigns.

QUALIFICATIONS

- 3-5 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 providing media training to leaders. - Excellent writing abilities in English– 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 communications efforts - Knowledge of video and photo editing tools, social media platforms/channels - Able to build positive relationships and work in a fast-paced, multi-cultural environment and to meet crisis communications and time limitations under pressure. - Fluent in English and Polish. Proficiency in Ukrainian is a big plus.

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.

Must have the right to work in Poland

Standards of Professional Conduct: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and makes sure policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons, and several others.

Gender Equality: The 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.

Diversity and Inclusion: At the IRC, our diverse clients, partners, and staff have the power, voice, and agency to shape programs and operations. We actively work to end all forms of systemic discrimination and foster an inclusive working environment where everyone feels respected, heard, valued, and supported. The IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability. The IRC encourages women to apply and work with us to reach the people most in need of humanitarian assistance, such as women, widows, and children. The IRC is committed to providing a decent and safe work environment that considers needs of women in the workplace, including through maternity leave and safety protocols.

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