IFRC Senior Communication Officer Job in Kenya

Job title: Senior Officer, Communication
Unit / dept / delegation: Communication Department, Eastern Africa Regional Representation, Nairobi
 Communications Manager, Africa – technical line manager
 Reporting to the Advocacy advisor for Eastern Africa, with a technical reporting line to the communications manager for Africa, this position will:be responsible for media relations, proactively pitching stories, not only during emergencies but also regarding ‘silent disasters’, and by providing media kits and briefs on key humanitarian issues relevant to International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and NS worksupport the communications needs and capacity building of the fifteen Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies (NS) served by the Nairobi regional office (covering East Africa, the Horn of Africa and Indian Ocean Islands)help profile the work of the NS while positioning the IFRC as a trusted source of information and opinion on our global and African prioritieswork closely with the IFRC East Africa program team to support their work and highlight impactssupport the regional representative in writing briefs, talking points, Q&A and speechessupport colleagues on various pan-African communications projects and liaise with Geneva, through the IFRC Communications Manager, Africa, on global projects and campaignsserve as an agent of innovation and social mobilization with a focus on youth and beneficiaries.develop and coordinate IFRC publications including situation reports, regional monthly newsletter for an external audience, Africa Reportage, annual reports, policy briefs, key messages, case studies and any other communication materials as requiredcoordinate with communication counterparts in other organisations through regional communication meetings and other opportunitiessupport the coordination and organization of events for IFRC and NS, as required.The post holder will support emergency response situations as they arise with fast, accurate media work with strategic impact, in close collaboration with the Africa Zone Communications Manager, producing multimedia stories for IFRC’s website.
 Key duties and responsibilities
Develop a regional communication strategy that will address the following:
 Media Relations -Reacting and responding/ taking a proactive approach/ networkingBuild and sustain relationships with members of the international press and other professional communications networks in the region. Maintain a database of national and international journalists and media contacts; ensure they receive press releases etcMonitor media trends in the regionPitch stories and identify media needs and offer adequate options for media tours to IFRC and NS operations/programmesAssist in the development and maintenance of a roster of credible Red Cross and Red Crescent spokespersonsCapacity building and support to NSProvide support to National Societies communications teams in the production of their own plans and budgetsWork closely with information and communications colleagues in the National Societies to facilitate the development of their relationship with the media, production of communications materials etcSupport NS in time of emergenciesRaise IFRC and NS in East Africa profile and serve as an agent of innovation and social mobilization with a focus on youth and beneficiariesUse innovative methods and new communication technologies to deliver a multimedia strategy that communicates on IFRC’s work and impacts while giving youth and beneficiaries a voiceDesign and create high quality communications materials that result in broad visibility of IFRC and NS humanitarian impacts, based on evidence from the fieldReach out to a wide audience, especially youth, through the use of the latest communication technologies such as web communications, social media and virtual communities, in line with IFRC's Strategy 2020Liaise with the IFRC Communications Manager, Africa to support global campaignsCoordinate with communication counterparts in other organisationsMaintain a database on key stakeholders, communications and advocacy working groups, donors and decisions makers in east Africa and ensure key messages are communicated in the right forumsInternal communication and supportDevelop regional plans and budget to provide communications supportSupport the Regional Representative in matters of official communication, speeches, and communication material for meeting with key stakeholders and donorsDevelop a communication calendar with key regional and international dates and eventsRespond in a timely fashion to routine enquiries from the press and requests from other parts of the Movement for informationWrite articles for internal and external Red Cross publications, including Africa Reportage, online channels such as www.ifrc.org or other corporate/internal platformsDuring field trips write case studies and take photographs to document the IFRC/NS programmes and share these with the media as appropriateWork closely with programme teams, secure and use their resources efficiently to ensure that quality promotional/marketing materials are produced to highlight our actions and impacts to partners and the general publicMaintain a database of publishers, designers, videographers, photographers and other specialist technical communications contacts. When appropriate propose the services of these freelancers to the various departments, IFRC representations and/or NSInform Federation colleagues of their responsibilities in relation to the media, corporate communication and disseminate guidance on thisDuties applicable to all staffActively work towards the achievement of the Federation's goalsAbide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross Red Crescent principlesPerform any other work related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line managerThrough identifying and supporting the communication needs of National Societies in IFRC East Africa region, Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, donors and beneficiaries, IFRC’s profile, as well as that of the NS, will be raised especially after promoting IFRC’s key issues, and promoting the voices of the communities in which IFRC works.University degree, preferably in media studies, public relations and/or communication relatedMinimum 5 years experience of working in communication in a similar positionProfessional experience working for the Red Cross/Red CrescentSound knowledge and proven experience in office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), web based management systemsProven experience with web communications, social media and virtual communitiesProven experience in large and complex emergencies responseExperience of working in a cross-cultural and cross-functional environmentDemonstrable experience in designing and implementing communications strategiesStrong interpersonal and problem solving skills and good understanding of the global organizationAbility to manage and deliver communication strategies in a challenging environment.Excellent communication skills, writing skills and ability to provide authoritative adviceGood understanding of humanitarian challenges affecting East AfricaSensitivity to challenging political contextsKnowledge of video gathering and editing, an assetFluency in both spoken and written EnglishWorking knowledge of FrenchAbility to work in a team and coordinate with othersAbility to work to tight deadlines and handle multiple tasksHigh degree of integrity, discretion, and personal conductFlexible and adaptable to changing working conditionsSelf-motivated, with good judgment and initiativeGood verbal and written communication skillsGood interpersonal skillsAbility and willingness to support and help othersSensitivity to diversityGood level of attention to detailInnovationDemonstrates commitment to IFRC’s mission, vision and values.Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptabilityCV and cover letter should be submitted by email to hr.eastafrica@ifrc.org; to be received not later than March 29th 2013.
Kindly note that due to the large volumes of applications received;
1.Only e-mail applications will be accepted
2.Received applications will be short-listed on an on-gong basis
3.Only short listed candidates will be contacted

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