Senior Communications Officer

Work Arrangement:

Job Description

Background/IRC Summary:

The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Today, 13.4 million people in Syria - more than half of the country's population - are in need of humanitarian assistance with needs increasingly being exacerbated by economic decline. Of these, 6.8 million are refugees and asylum-seekers who have fled the country. This is no short-term humanitarian episode. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades. The destruction of relationships, communities, livelihoods, homes, and infrastructure will take years to repair.

IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 1000+ staff in Syria Country Program. IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, early childhood development, education, women’s protection and empowerment, non-food items and food distribution, cash assistance, water and sanitation, protection and rule of law, and livelihood programming. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding, and coordination.

Job Overview/Summary:

IRC Syria seeks an experienced professional for the position of Senior Communication Officer (SCO) to support project-specific communications deliverables and visibility requirements, as well as the content collection for and development of proactive and reactive communications elements across the program portfolio. The SCO will ensure regular, timely, and high-quality communications content to showcase the project’s/programs’ successes on our respective comms channels through a range of products including success stories, information and fact sheets, social media posts, etc. The SCO will report to Policy, Advocacy and Communications Coordinator and will work in close collaboration with the Syria program’s grants, partnerships, and MEAL teams, as wells the Middle East Regional Communications team and global content and creative teams. This role will help to elevate the internal and external visibility of the IRC Syria country program in alignment with the country office strategic action plan.

Major Responsibilities:

Managing visibility and branding requirements:

- Work in close collaboration with IRC grants team to ensure adherence to branding and visibility requirements across IRC Syria programs and in partner locations. - Maintain a calendar of donor deliverables which is accessible to program and other colleagues, and support in the collation and submission of products to the donor by deadline. - Regularly liaise with regional communications and global communications/content teams to stay up to date on relevant processes, manage timelines, and ensure smooth processes. - Advise program colleagues on compliance with the IRC and donor branding and visibility guidelines on communications materials as needed.

- Coordinate sign off on branded items and products as necessary.

Collecting and packaging communications content:

- Work in close coordination with PAC coordinator and program teams to develop a communications work plan including collection and production of high-quality communication materials such as human-interest stories, photos, blogs, and videos in English and Arabic. - Work closely with the regional senior communications and media manager, and content and digital specialist to archive quality content to IRC’s multimedia bank and ensure content is accessible by all relevant stakeholders from different offices. - Work closely with the content and digital specialist at the regional office to edit donor-requested videos as per IRC’s standards. - Participate in joint communications initiatives by regional and HQ offices to raise visibility of IRC Syria’s programming and success stories and participate in IRC MENA’s monthly communications call to present updates from country program and exchange knowledge with counterparts. - Develop communications calendar with regular updates to showcase program activities. - Organizing and archiving all communications content and consent forms to IRC’s internal content management systems and digital storage platforms. - Stay updated on all ongoing and upcoming project/program activities to anticipate and plan comms opportunities.

- Gathering, managing, and summarizing information related to projects and programs:

- Working closely with program and MEAL teams to collect program information, updates on the impact of our work, and updated quantitative data to use in communications products and posts.

- Support information and briefings requests, updating information materials such as fact sheets, newsletters, and infographics. Lead in creation of social media posts in Arabic and English as requested. - Keep up to date on relevant reports, data, national news articles, research, and partners’ communications related to IRC’s client populations, social and political developments, and local context and produce regular updates for colleagues.

Internal communications and visibility:

- Lead in production of IRC Syria internal newsletter for other IRC stakeholders, highlighting IRC Syria program activities, success stories, and partnership goals. - Support to senior management as needed for visibility including blogging on ‘Rescuenet’, social media posts in English and Arabic, and key messaging for important dates. - Provide training as relevant to IRC staff on best practices for communications. - Provide English-Arabic and Arabic-English translations as needed.

Media:

- As assigned, liaise with regional senior communications and media manager and PAC coordinator for emergencies and media-related opportunities. - Work closely with PAC coordination to develop and manage relationships with national media and journalists. - As applicable, support media visits in-country. - Archive media coverage on IRC and partner activities in Syria and prepare semi-annual reports on reach.

Qualifications

- Previous experience working in an NGO in a similar role is a plus. - Excellent storytelling and case studies writing skills (proficiency in written English is required) - Ability to identify strong stories and adapt communication styles to different audiences. - Ability to create infographics, and knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (esp. Final Cut, Illustrator, Photoshop and In Design) is highly desirable. - Ability to take high quality, professional photos in various settings, and basic photo editing is desirable, as is the ability to produce and edit video for social media use. - Experience in editing photography and film is considered a strong asset. - Fluent (spoken and written) Arabic is highly desirable. - Higher relevant university degree, in journalism, media, communications, or relevant experience with at least 2 years of relevant job experience; or bachelor’s degree with at least 3 years of relevant experience. - Ability to build strong relationships and work independently and take initiative. - High proficiency in handling varied, demanding and complex tasks. - Ability to handle sensitive matters with tact and discretion.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

- A commitment to IRC’s mission, vision, values, and IRC Way – Professional Code of Conduct. - Credible written, presentation and verbal communication skills; ability to convey information effectively and solid experience providing training and staff development. - Validated sense of professional discretion, integrity, and ability to handle complex situations diplomatically and to effective resolution. - Excellent management and interpersonal skills and a solid ability to promote harmonious/cohesive teamwork, in a cross-cultural context. - Validated ability to plan long-term, organize priorities and work under administrative and programmatic pressures with detail orientation and professional patience. - Highly collaborative and resourceful; ability to establish positive working relationships with senior level management and all other partners to maximize cooperation and productivity. - Curiosity, a desire to continually learn and develop is a must. - Analytical ability in creating effective solutions to complex matters while adhering to labor laws and internal policies.

Language/Travel:

English and Arabic is required.

Travel: 30% to field sites in NWS

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Advocacy Coordinator

Position provides technical support to: IRC and partner staff (technical/programmatic staff)

Key Internal Contacts: Technical Coordinators and Managers, Grants Manager, Regional Senior Communications Manager, Regional Senior Media and Communications Manager.

Key External Contacts: Other local and international actors

Professional Standards: IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and carries out policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Respect at Work Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a citizen of the Country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, the Middle East Region has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply. IRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff in our programs.

Accountability to Clients: IRC staff must adhere to the commitment of contributing to the sustainability and development of its (CR) Client Responsiveness Mechanisms, preserving the culture of prioritizing the needs of our clients and affected communities by systematically listening to their perspectives and using their feedback to make programmatic decisions and give them greater influence over program design and delivery.

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.

Diversity and Inclusion: at IRC MENA, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Organizations that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, nationality, and perspective are validated to be better organizations. More importantly, creating a safe workspace environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best is the right thing to do. So, bring your whole self to work.

IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. In keeping with our core values of Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality, IRC strives to maintain a work environment built on mutual respect in which all individuals treat each other professionally, and free of bias, prejudice, and harassment. IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of IRC Persons in any work setting. All IRC staff, wherever they are located, are accountable for creating an environment free of discrimination, harassment, bullying, and retaliation.