Communications & reporting officer-British Red Cross

            Job purpose
The purpose of this position is to support and enhance BRC external and internal communications, media relations efforts and effective reporting of BRC’s Syria Crisis Programme portfolio. The main focus is inside Syria but it also covers Lebanon and Iraq.

The principal objectives of this position are:

1. To support BRC positioning as a humanitarian player within the Syria Crisis through the development and implementation of a BRC communication and advocacy plan.
2. To enhance Red Cross Red Crescent public visibility, focussing on key projects and targeting BRC audiences.
3. To contribute to internal communications and information sharing within BRC.
4. To lead on all programme reporting matters, both internally and externally.

   The post holder will work closely with the Programme Officer for Syria and Lebanon plus relevant teams in BRC UK Office, with frequent travels to Syria crisis-affected countries (including to and within Syria).

   Job duties and responsibilities

   Communications and Advocacy:

5. Together with UK Office Communications, Fundraising and Humanitarian Policy teams, plan and support communications and advocacy priorities and initiatives such as campaigns and events and the development of professional products with global relevance.
6. Initiate and facilitate analysis of existing and emerging humanitarian issues in support of media and advocacy strategies, followed by production of high-quality content related to those issues.
7. Plan and implement effective communications activities that enhance communications with and on behalf of the affected populations (e.g. proactive outreach to international press and production of high-quality communications materials).
8. Effectively develop and sustain peer-support relationships with National Society comms staff or other appropriate counterparts, to facilitate the sharing of skills and improved implementation of joint communications initiatives to increase the capacity and profile of National Societies.
9. In coordination with the BRC UK Office Media team, respond in a timely manner to enquiries and requests for information from other teams, particularly in relation to the facilitation of media/donor visits.
10. In cooperation with relevant stakeholders, coordinate the activities of BRC Syria Crisis communications throughout BRC to ensure strategic alignment, enhanced support and improved performance.
11. Provide advice to managers, senior officers and other teams on a range of advocacy and outreach issues, methods and approaches in relation to BRC position toward Syria Crisis.
12. Contribute to BRC communications using innovative methods and new communication technologies (e.g. social media) to promote BRC work and impact with a focus on people in crisis, in line with BRC social media engagement guidelines and policies.
13. Conduct field missions as needed to Syria Crisis-affected countries, to support the National Societies and collect stories and audio-visual materials related to programmes for use by the Movement.
14. Create and/or coordinate the production of a diverse range of information products and written/audio/visual content for internal and external publications, for use on BRC online channels (e.g. BRC blog, podcast and website) or other corporate/internal platforms.
15. Develop and contribute to the dissemination of BRC communications and advocacy materials including briefing notes, newsletters, reports, promotional materials, talking points, press lines, presentations and op-eds to internal and external audiences and as requested by the Syria Crisis programme team..
16. Closely working with the programme team members, secure and use their resources efficiently to ensure that quality promotional/marketing materials are produced to highlight BRC actions and impact both internally and externally.
17. Ensure adherence to the visual identity of the BRC in the design and production needs of the BRC Beirut office.
18. Establish and maintain professional relationships and coordination with other Red Cross Red Crescent Movement communications counterparts working in the region.
19. Ensure that the Fundamental Principles and humanitarian values are embedded in all communications products.
     

    Information Management and Reporting
     

20. Ensure efficient communication flow amongst BRC, IFRC and host National Societies where relevant, including arranging meetings, taking minutes, drafting replies to routine correspondence and dealing with enquiries.
21. Ensure effective management of information for the programme team, keeping information on the BRC’s Programme Information Management System (PIMS) up-to-date.
22. Coordinate with partners regarding receiving reports to deadlines. Provide BRC feedback through collating all forms of comments, questions and further clarifications required to better showcase BRC Syria Crisis programme activities.
23. Prepare regular distribution information and charts showcasing BRC relief materials distribution details, such as quantities, distribution timeframe, disaggregation information, the number of beneficiaries reached, etc.
24. Prepare monthly international newsletter submissions reflecting BRC Syria Crisis activities updates and key partner information.
25. Contribute to the preparations of quarterly and on-demand reports reflecting on the successes, challenges and progress against programme indicators and how the programme showcases work towards the International directorate’s strategic outcomes.
26. Prepare and regularly update BRC Syria Crisis presentations to be disseminated across the team/region, to serve multiple purposes such as communication material, fundraising, education sessions, etc.
27. Prepare and regularly update BRC Syria Crisis factsheets containing all BRC support since the onset of the crisis.
28. Coordinate with IFRC and other partners in terms of programme mapping and BRC inputs to the Syria Crisis Movement-Wide Reporting system.
     

    Other
     

29. Feed into donor applications, proposals and reports as requested for the Syria Crisis programme team.
30. Uphold the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and work in accordance with the Society’s equal opportunities policy.
     

    Position Requirements
     

    Education

    Required

    Preferred

    Higher level academic qualification in communications, journalism, news media or a related field (degree level or equivalent)

    X

     

    Training courses: campaigns/advocacy and AV products

     

    X

    Experience

    Required

    Preferred

    5-7 years’ experience of working in an international environment in communications, journalism, public relations, international cooperation, advocacy, reporting and writing

    X

     

    Experience in different humanitarian issues and contexts

    X

     

    Previous experience of working with the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, INGOs or the UN

    X

     

    Experience of compiling and summarising materials for a variety of audiences such as the public, back donors and other stakeholders

    X

     

    Experience of creating high-quality audio/visual content

    X

     

    Experience in coaching and capacity building of counterparts

     

    X

    Experience undertaking media interviews and acting as an organisational spokesperson

     

    X

    Proven experience with content management systems and developing and updating websites

     

    X

    Knowledge and Skills

    Required

    Preferred

    Understanding the relevant country/region context

     

    X

    Excellent persuasive writing skills (English and Arabic)

    X

     

    Excellent written and verbal communication skills

    X

     

    Presentation, research and report writing skills

    X

     

    An advanced knowledge of Photoshop and In Design

     

    X

    Demonstrated Knowledge of social media for advocacy purposes

     

    X

    Excellent IT skills, including all basic MS Office packages

    X

     

    Ability to use initiative in proactively seeking solutions to problems arising from day-to-day work

    X

     

    Ability to organise workload and ensure administrative tasks are dealt with efficiently

    X

     

    Ability to work well as part of a team

    X

     

    Capacity to work under pressure and to deadlines

    X

     

    Willingness to work out of office hours when necessary

    X

     

    Comfortable working and communicating with a number of National Societies in a diverse environment

    X

     

    Detail-oriented, able to multi-task

    X

     

    Willingness and aptitude for humanitarian field work, and availability to travel at short notice, including overnight stays when required (Syria and the region)

    X

     

    Languages

    Required

    Preferred

    Fluently spoken and written Arabic and English

    X

     

    Good command of any additional IFRC language, preferably French

     

    X

    Competencies (to be filled in by HR)

     

     

    National Societies Relations

    Results focus and accountability

    Communications

    Teamwork

    Professionalism

    Planning & organising

    Accountability

    Creativity

    Client orientation

    Priority will be given to candidates who demonstrate a high level of motivation and good communication, social, and interpersonal skills.