Senior Communications Officer, RAI US

Communications & PR

Overview

Develop and execute communications strategies for refugee resettlement in the U.S.

You have:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, international affairs, or related field.
• Approximately 6-8 years of professional experience in communications, preferably with a focus on refugee, immigration or humanitarian affairs.
• Demonstrated experience in media relations and strategic communication, particularly with US media covering international and humanitarian issues.
• Ability to work effectively and calmly in a fast-paced environment on sophisticated and politically sensitive issues.
• Strong writing skills for producing compelling content including press releases, op-eds, and talking points.

Job Description

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. Global Public Affairs, a part of the Marketing & Mobilization (M&M) team, targets priority IRC markets and audiences to advance and protect our policy goals, brand and profile. It's a key part of external messaging and product development, distribution and coordination for External Relations. The team uses proactive and reactive earned media (broadcast, digital & print) to support policy and income objectives, while also using frontline storytelling to advance our cause.

Job Overview:

As a key member of the IRC's Global Communications Team, the Senior Communications Officer, Resettlement, Asylum and Integration (RAI U.S.) will develop and execute communications strategies fostering and protecting the refugee resettlement program in the United States, and IRC’s services across the country supporting vulnerable populations. The Senior Officer will additionally lead communications on the RAI portfolio, convening and leading multiple teams and stakeholders to deliver breakthrough communications results and will act as a spokesperson as needed.

Major Responsibilities:

· Convene, collaborate with, and lead a dynamic range of IRC teams to develop and implement communications strategies that drive awareness of the IRC’s impact and advocacy regarding US Programs, improving the IRC's reputation, supporting fundraising objectives and influencing target policy makers.

· Work with (and persuade) internal partners, including communications team-members, field teams, advocates, fundraisers, and technical specialists to build and support dynamic communications tactics: From innovative media outreach and top tier op-eds, to crafting creative digital content and social media output.

· Deliver strategic proactive and reactive media relations, demonstrating RAI insights and expertise in both go-to US Program media but also counter-intuitive beats that will help tell the IRC's story to strategic audiences.

· Deploy excellent writing skills that deliver: captivating pitches that land IRC-led features, high-level IRC messages for cross-organizational use, top tier landing op-eds, and talking points for spokespeople.

· Respond to media queries—providing accurate information, arranging interviews, preparing staff as needed, and facilitating media visits to field programs as needed, including during emergencies and breaking news.

· Act as an IRC representative to external and internal audiences, both via media interviews and contributing to digital content.

· Partner with Digital Content and Communications to produce and coordinate digital content collection, distribution and measurement, working closely with digital communication technical specialists.

· Be responsible for quarterly reports on coverage and communications results using industry standard metrics and bench-marking.

· Strengthen / develop internal systems and processes to deliver on communications objectives.

· Coordinate and lead crisis and emergency communications, including high profile program visits and high speed content gathering.

· Deliver and lead executive communications for IRC leaders, including the CEO, as needed.

· Expand and nurture IRC’s communications network.

Key Working Relationships:

· Position Reports to: Associate Director, Global Communications

· Other Internal and/or external contacts:

o Internal: Work with global communications colleagues, RAI programs, content creators, IRC advocates and fundraisers

o External: Work with journalists, media producers and editors, strategic influencers and sister humanitarian organizations

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, international affairs or related field.

Work Experience: Approximately 6-8 years of professional experience in communications, preferably with a focus on refugee, immigration or humanitarian affairs, or issues that cross with the refugee resettlement sector.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

· The Communications Senior Officer demonstrates a flexible approach and ability to navigate ambiguity, as well as multiple projects and priorities at once

· Ability to work effectively, efficiently, diplomatically and calmly in a fast-paced environment on issues that are often sophisticated and politically sensitive.

· Deep knowledge and experience of working successfully with US media covering international and humanitarian issues and shown track-record of results.

· Experience in producing and editing, under tight-deadlines, accurate and dynamic communications materials including press-releases, op-eds, talking points and digital content.

· Record of creativity in developing compelling content, and creative pursuit of targets in achievement of communications objectives across different channels (media, social, web etc.)

Working Environment: Standard office work environment

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

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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Qualifications

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Potential interview questions

Added 4 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: rescue.org