Head of External Communication and Chief Spokesperson

Overview

Lead external communication efforts and serve as chief spokesperson.

You have:

• Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in journalism or media relations.
• Demonstrated experience advising senior leadership.
• Proven expertise in media relations and crisis communication.
• Native-level fluency of English and excellent command of French.
• Working knowledge of additional languages (e.g., Arabic, Spanish, or German) is an asset.

Contract

This is a ICRC - Open-ended contract. More about ICRC - Open-ended contracts.

What we do

Since 1863, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has worked to preserve human dignity and relieve suffering caused by war and armed violence.

In collaboration with our Red Cross and Red Crescent partners around the world, we do everything we can to deliver life‑saving aid, reconnect families and locate missing people – helping those who need it most, regardless of who they are and what side of the front line they are on.

We engage with authorities and armed forces on all sides, often confidentially, pressing for access to detainees to improve their living conditions and urging compliance with international humanitarian law to protect non-combatants, including from digital threats.

Introduction

The Head of External Communication and Chief Spokesperson shapes ICRC’s public positioning and leads its global editorial approach based on institutional, operational, and communication priorities.

The role works closely with the President and institutional leadership to ensure coherence of ICRC’s public communication with institutional, operational, and communication goals.

As the ICRC’s lead spokesperson, the position represents the organization in its interactions with global media and public audiences.

The position reports to the Head of Communications and works closely with the other teams within the Communications Division.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Leading a team of 12 staff in Geneva and 6 regionally based media specialists, the postholder leads and drives the following areas of work:

Global media relations

• Drive global media engagement to position ICRC’s work and influence public debate on ICRC’s priorities.
• Work directly with the President and institutional leadership to ensure strong alignment between strategic goals and global public messaging.
• Define and drive messaging and media relations strategies in complex and mediatized reputational and operational crises.
• Deliver media engagement strategies across global outlets, in coordination with the network of global spokespersons.
• Build, maintain, and broaden relationships with global media outlets, journalists, news content creators, and influential opinion leaders.

Chief Spokesperson

• Serve as the organization’s chief spokesperson, representing the ICRC in sensitive and high-visibility media engagements.
• Deliver clear, consistent, and impactful messaging across traditional and digital platforms, delivering high-impact interviews, press briefings, and official statements.
• Provide strategic guidance to leadership and spokespersons across the organization on public positioning and media engagement.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Editorial steering

• Lead global editorial planning to ensure cohesive, strategic, and impactful public communication across the organization.
• Define and steer global messaging in line with ICRC’s institutional, operational, and communication priorities.
• Coordinate editorial approaches to institutional priority themes.

Education & Experience Required

• Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in journalism or media relations, with a proven track record of delivering high-impact external narratives.
• Demonstrated experience advising senior leadership and serving as a spokesperson, including in complex, high-pressure, and crisis environments.
• Proven expertise in media relations and crisis communication, with the ability to manage reputational risk and deliver timely, strategic responses.
• Native-level fluency of English and excellent command of French are highly desirable; working knowledge of additional languages (e.g., Arabic, Spanish, or German) is an asset.

Desired Profile and Skills

• Exceptional ability to translate complex humanitarian and policy issues into clear, compelling, and influential public messaging.
• Strong external orientation, with a deep understanding of global media ecosystems and a proactive, results-driven approach to engagement across evolving information environments.
• Proven ability to perform under pressure, exercise sound judgment, and respond effectively in crisis situations.
• Interpersonal and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to build and manage relationships with senior internal stakeholders, media, and external partners.

Additional Information

• Location: Geneva, Switzerland
• Type of contract: Long-term assignment
• Mobility type: Required Rotation
• Length of Assignment: 4 years - extendable
• Grade: D1
• Activity rate: 100%
• Estimated start date: Q2 2026
• Hiring Manager: Patricia Rey Gonzalez - Head of Communication Division
• Recruiter: Diara Niang
• HR Business Partner: Yana Makaveeva
• Application deadline: Friday, 15 May 2026

Important information: For employees and their dependents who are not EU and/or EFTA nationals, settling in Switzerland is now required. Direct settlement in France upon arrival is no longer possible.

The ICRC values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates.

Note to Applicants: Applications should include a link to a portfolio of work (e.g., media appearances, interviews, published content, or other public-facing outputs) demonstrating relevant experience.

Our Values

At the ICRC, we value impact, collaboration, respect, and compassion. We seek candidates who demonstrate behaviors based on these shared values. For more information on the ICRC values, please visit this page.

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Potential interview questions

Added 2 months ago - Updated 2 months ago - Source: careers.icrc.org