Job Description

Title: Senior Officer - Communications

Company Name: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Vacancy: 1

Job Location: Dhaka

Employment Status: Contractual

Educational Requirements:
∎ Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant area (for example, journalism, mass communications, media studies, social science, or related field)

Experience Requirements:
∎ At least 5 year(s)

Job Context:
∎ Duration of the contract : 12 months, with possible extension
∎ Based in : Dhaka
∎ Reporting to : Senior Manager, Programme Support (IFRC)
∎ The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world`s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies. The overall aim of the IFRC is "to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world." The IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.
∎ The IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of the IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.
∎ The IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.
∎ The IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The IFRC also has country cluster delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.
∎ IFRC Bangladesh Country Delegation is one of the IFRC Country Offices in the Asia Pacific Region. It provides vital technical, financial and logistical support to Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) while strengthening its participation in regional and global cooperation during emergency and non-emergency times.
∎ This position is located within the Programme Support Unit of the IFRC Bangladesh Country Delegation.
∎ Job Purpose: Reporting to the Senior Manager, Programme Support, and with technical supervision and support from the IFRC Asia Pacific Regional Communications Manager based in Kuala Lumpur, the Senior Officer, Communications will support the BDRCS` Communications team and IFRC Country Delegation team. The Senior Officer, Communications will work in close collaboration with other Red Cross and Red Crescent (RCRC) Movement partners in the country and will be a valuable and active member of the IFRC Asia Pacific Communications team. The Senior Officer, Communications operates in pursuit of goals identified in Strategy 2030 in accordance with the IFRC Secretariat`s Agenda for Renewal and support the emergency operations and other ongoing activities of BDRCS.
∎ The principal aim is to ensure that the Red Cross Red Crescent humanitarian response is professionally communicated, understood and supported by internal and external stakeholders.
∎ The following are the key responsibilities of the Senior Officer, Communications:
∎ Enhancing effective public communications and international media relations efforts of BDRCS and IFRC.
∎ Strengthening relationships with RCRC partners and supporting the capacity-building of BDRCS staff and volunteers.
∎ Effectively engage with BDRCS communication team and IFRC in country and regional teams and support in managing the reputational risk for the BDRCS as well as for the IFRC and its partners.
∎ The role will require proactive engagement with different stakeholders including BDRCS NHQ and branches, government, donors, IFRC partners and extensive travel and requires a flexible attitude, team-oriented approach, and the ability to deliver quality products under pressure. The IFRC communications efforts are focused on highlighting the humanitarian needs on the ground and securing positive positioning for the response efforts of BDRCS and RCRC Movement partners.

Job Responsibilities:
∎ The role of the Senior Communications Officer is to position and profile the BDRCS operations and activities and IFRC and its partners' support in Bangladesh and globally. Duties and responsibilities include:
∎ Develop and implement a communications plan with BDRCS communications team, that supports programmatic and policy priorities, including emergency communications, and aligns with regional and global communications priorities and initiatives, covering the various aspects of communications including public and media relations, corporate communication, social media and advocacy.
∎ Work with BDRCS and IFRC, IFRC's in country memberships (Participating National Societies - PNSs) colleagues to generate relevant and engaging contents and products to support the humanitarian operations in Bangladesh, including:
∎ Proactive and reactive international and national media relations
∎ Generate a variety of communications content including press releases, social media and other content, photo essays, blogs, still photos with captions and videos
∎ Produce supportive communications materials on key issues, including key messages, reactive media lines, Q&As as needed
∎ Support the IFRC Bangladesh nominated person to act as a focal point and spokesperson with international media.
∎ With the direction of the IFRC Head of Country Delegation and Senior Manager, Programme Support and technical support from IFRC Asia Pacific Regional Office (APRO) Communications Team, identify, brief, prepare and coach other BDRCS and IFRC, PNSs spokespeople.
∎ Build and maintain relationship with members of international media, key influencers and professional communications networks in country, and proactively engage with them to ensure that the IFRC and National Society are well-connected, understood and positioned.
∎ Facilitate requests for visits/field trips by media, IFRC and PNSs communicators.
∎ Facilitate the audio-visual needs of the IFRC, PNSs and the media, including the commissioning of professional photography and video assignments
∎ Support BDRCS in identifying key humanitarian issues to be addressed to public, media and donor audiences on the situation on the ground and the humanitarian response.
∎ Together with the BDRCS monitor and analyse trends, perception and acceptance of the BDRCS' work to identify and manage communications risks.
∎ With the support of IFRC Regional and Geneva Offices, provide guidance, support and advice as required to IFRC and BDRCS senior management, particularly on potential or emerging reputational risk management issues.
∎ Provide tailor-made support to strengthen National Society's (BDRCS') communications - providing strategic communications advice and learning, skills training, mentoring and facilitation of peer-to-peer exchanges.
∎ Lead efficient and effective corporate communications, sharing timely, relevant and accurate information and communication materials with the IFRC global team and key partners, Ensure coherence, quality and consistency in design and production
∎ Work closely with the Partnership and Resource Development (PRD) and Information Management (IM) team and coordinate the production of communication products as needed to support IFRC/BDRCS advocacy, marketing and fundraising efforts.
∎ Liaise with communications counterparts from Movement partners to identify communication opportunities for strengthening the Movement's positioning and public reputation.
∎ Coordinate and collaborate with the IFRC's regional and global communications teams.
∎ Liaise, share information with and collaborate with external organisations including donor agencies, UN agencies, international government and non-government agencies.
∎ Maintain a close coordination with the Population Movement Operation (PMO) communications team as well as with the wider team and work as a single team.
∎ Provide technical support in designing the IEC materials.
∎ Media scanning, monitoring and gathering and regular sharing of the information with relevant stakeholders.
∎ Perform other relevant communications duties as required.

Additional Requirements:
∎ 5 years of experience of working in communications, journalism and public relations
∎ Red Cross Red Crescent experience.
∎ Experience of working in communications in humanitarian emergencies, complex crisis or conflict situations.
∎ Experience in managing organization's social media account and producing hi-quality social media posts through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram in English and Bangla.
∎ Photography and videography skills.
∎ Independent and creative thinker with strong relationship management experience.
∎ Good written communications skills, with ability to adapt style to suit different communications media and audiences.
∎ Experience in coaching and transferring skills and knowledge to counterparts
∎ Knowledge and Skills:
∎ Good computer skills (Windows, spread sheets, word processing, designing software).
∎ Self supporting in IT.
∎ Comfortable working and communicating with different nationalities.
∎ Detail-oriented, able to multi-task, a team worker.
∎ Strong relationship management skills including ability to rapidly build and extend professional networks.
∎ Strong representational skills.
∎ Excellent writing and public presentation / media relations skills.
∎ Good computer skills (Windows, spread sheets, word processing).
∎ Experience in developing infographics.
∎ Highly organised, proactive and innovative approach to work.
∎ Languages:
∎ Advanced knowledge of written and spoken English.
∎ Fluent in speaking and writing Bangla.

Salary: Negotiable

Compensation & Other Benefits:
∎ Festival Bonus
∎ Life & Medical Insurance
∎ Provident fund
∎ Medical reimbursement for staff and immediate family up to 70,000 BDT per annum.

Job Source: Bdjobs.com Online Job Posting.

Application Deadline: 19 Jun 2022

Company Information:
∎ 13 Jun 2022
∎ International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Category: NGO/Development