Digital Communications Officer

Job Description

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 offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. The IRC responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and is on the ground in more than 40 countries providing emergency relief, relocating refugees and rebuilding lives.

The IRC is committed to a culture of bold leadership, innovation in all aspects of work, creative partnerships and, most crucially, accountability to those served. The IRC is a tireless advocate for the most vulnerable.

The IRC in EUROPE

IRC Belgium leads on the IRC's engagement with the EU institutions. Our priority is to ensure that EU policy and legislation meets the needs of those affected by conflict and disaster. We use the IRC’s learning and experience to shape EU humanitarian, development and migration policies in ways that improve the lives of more people worldwide, and to ensure that EU funding is targeted effectively.

IRC Belgium is part of a strong and flourishing European network, working closely with our offices in Germany, UK, Greece, Switzerland, Sweden and Serbia.

SCOPE OF WORK

In order to raise the profile of the IRC in Brussels, we are looking for a Digital Communications Officer for our office – IRC EU - based in Brussels

The role leads on increasing brand awareness and engagement with our target audience in Brussels, which is essential to achieving our advocacy goals. The role will achieve this by delivering and implementing a robust digital strategy, ensuring the IRC’s work and views are amplified via digital channels, and by championing and protecting our brand. The role has a focus on Digital Advocacy and uses digital channels, content and creative strategies to influence EU policy makers with the power to make change happen for people caught up in crisis.

The post of Digital Communications Officer reports jointly to the Communications Officer, Brussels, and the Deputy Digital Engagement Director in London. It will work very closely with the EU Policy and Advocacy team to deliver shared profile and influence goals, as well as with Advocacy, Policy and Communications colleagues in London, Berlin, Stockholm and New York.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy (15%)

- Create and implement a content strategy to grow the IRC’s digital presence in the EU, with the support of the Deputy Director Digital Engagement - Contribute to the broader growth of the IRC’s communications in Brussels, partnering with media colleagues to determine audience targeting and messaging - Support European Colleagues on advancing their policy change goals through digital advocacy and integrated campaigns - Create an Influencer and growth strategy with vigorous testing in market - Maintain a strong understanding of the sector, EU institutional agendas in the areas of relevance to our work, our sister organisations, our online audiences and the type of content that drives conversions

Digital channels and campaigns (40%)

- Work closely with the Policy & Advocacy, Public Affairs,and Digital Engagement teams to identify newsworthy moments relating to our work and brand through which to engage our online audience, advance our policy profile and change goals, and pursue digital campaigning opportunities - Work closely with the Brussels Communications Officer on integrated campaigns and on key external moments. Keep abreast of social media trends, and developments in the Brussels space, and find creative ways to engage. - Work with Global Digital Engagement colleagues to support global IRC moments and integrated campaigns via EU channels. - Proactively run the IRC EU’s Twitter profile to grow the EU supporter base and deepen their loyalty to the IRC. Lead on the management of social and work closely with Remote Markets and Advocacy colleagues on paid advertising and audience building - Set up and manage new social media channels based on our audience and organisational needs - Lead on the management of the IRC EU website. Keep the website up to date and content refreshed, and work closely with the IRC’s in-house development team on new features for the site and data analysis - Manage Google Grant and SEO changes with agency support

Creative content (30%)

- Produce and adapt compelling visual and graphic content for the IRC’s EU website and social media channels - including video, images and infographics - Take a data-driven approach to “localising” global content for use in the EU, and lead on creating new content for the EU market - With support of the Creative Studio/ Digital Engagement team, devise creative strategies for EU campaigns, and adapt global strategies for EU channels where necessary - Support the Donor Visibility Officer on fulfilling all donor requirements

Analytics & performance (10%)

- Lead on analytics for the IRC’s EU's digital channels. Use data to inform audience and content strategies, and decisions on channel management. Provide reports as necessary. - With the support of the Global Digital team, develop and implement SEO strategies and use Google Analytics monitor to refine approaches to drive up levels of digital engagement - Bring performance data to review meetings, creating and tracking KPIs and taking a data-driven approach to testing and optimisation

Brand consistency (5%)

- Ensure all EU online content is on-brand, consistent in terms of style, quality and tone of voice - As brand lead for IRC EU, conduct brand onboarding and training sessions for colleagues as needed

Qualifications

Skills, Knowledge and Qualifications

- Experience of analysing digital campaigns and the ability to use Google Analytics and understand Search Engine Optimisation, including keyword research and its application to SEO, and a clear understanding of how Google’s algorithm ranks pages - Excellent English language skills - Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills; adept at writing clean, engaging, jargon-free copy for a range of channels - Knowledge of key debates in Brussels and Europe on international development and humanitarian issues - Experience of using digital channels to advance advocacy goals - Experience of reporting on and conducting analysis of digital engagement, and optimising content/tactics for conversion - Experience of working to tight deadlines to deliver high quality content - Self-starter with the ability to make a success of new initiatives and work without close instruction in Brussels, while collaborating with colleagues elsewhere in Europe - Strong communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to establish good working relationships with colleagues in EU, the UK and overseas - Strong ability to think creatively and produce innovative content - Excellent creative ability with proven experience in graphic design and video editing. Adept at using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Adobe Premier Pro - Good organisational and time management skills and the ability to work to deadlines, prioritise and multi-task in a fast-paced environment - Degree in a relevant subject, or equivalent relevant experience in communications or digital marketing

Desirable

- Experience of working with a creative agency and/or charitable organisation in a similar role - Experience of liaising with external suppliers to agree price, timeframes and deadlines - Experience using Drupal - Experience of digital fundraising and email marketing - Flexibility as regards working hours, including sometimes working to tight deadlines - Fluency in French

The application deadline is 4th January 2022.

Candidates must have the right to work in Brussels.