Job Detail

What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and at the same time promote respect for international humanitarian law. We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.

Purpose

The overall aim of the Public Relations unit is to maximize the acceptance of the ICRC's mission and activities and to strengthen its reputation as a recognized authority on humanitarian action and law. The unit works with other communications units to help build trust and secure support for the ICRC among a broad range of stakeholders through public communication. It leads the ICRC’s relations with media outlets with an international reach and coordinates across ICRC’s various communications units to ensure coherence and impact of communication efforts.

As a member of a vibrant, multi-disciplinary communications team at ICRC’s headquarters in Geneva, the Public Relations Officer leads in devising and implementing media outreach strategies for the ICRC’s main operations in the Mîddle East region as well as for key thematic issues. S/he is a strategic, news-driven, digitally savvy and well-organized person with excellent writing and pitching skills to drive message distribution across traditional and digital media channels in support of ICRC’s mission.

Main responsibilities

• Generate press coverage in European and international media to ensure the ICRC's humanitarian concerns are known and understood. Search out and implement opportunities to promote ICRC positions.


• Act as a spokesperson for the Middle East region in Geneva, using different means to provide public information on the ICRC's activities and humanitarian concerns.


• Actively conducts outreach and cultivate relationships with key media and other influencers relevant to the issues covered.


• Develop and implement media relations strategies which include: message production; pro-active media networking; pitching stories and spokespeople; organizing interviews and media briefings; writing news releases, tweets and other products; responding to media requests; providing AV and photo assets


• Undertake crisis media work, ensuring ICRC responds in an effective and timely manner to key external and internal developments.


• Help set the strategic media direction for an issue or a country, working across multi-functional teams at Geneva HQ and in the field.


• Identify opportunities for media work and provide advice on what products or activities would work best to meet media objectives and achieve impact.


• Work across various HQ communication units and field delegations to develop public-facing messages, positions and products  


• Creative design and project management of communication tools and products to promote key thematic issues covered.


• Leads planning and content development (global and regional) for ICRC’s noteworthy dates


• Use media monitoring results and analytics to make recommendations for future work to ensure continued or improved media impact.


• Support the ICRC’s global network of media workers (in e.g. New York, London and Bangkok), providing timely, well-messaged media materials and advice on our operations and concerns.


• Occasional travel abroad to work with communications colleagues or delegations on media strategies, projects and trainings.

People management responsibilities

No

Scope & Impact

• Geographical remit: regional or global level


• Strategic impact: contributes to regional communication strategies. Identifies and manages risks, and positions the ICRC. Global impact of public communication is high, including on reputation and fundraising.

Relationships

• Internally, interacts widely across the ICRC within communications and other departments, divisions and units at headquarters and with delegations in the field.


• Externally, interacts primarily with media, PR and creative agencies, humanitarian actors and RCRC Movement members

Certifications / Education required

• University degree in a relevant discipline such as political science, international relations, journalism, communication management or public relations.


• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. French is a major asset.

Professional Experience required

• Typically 10 years overall professional experience.


• 5 to 8 years´ work experience in media relations and content generation (inside or outside the ICRC).


• Experience or knowledge of the Middle East.


• International experience in a humanitarian setting an asset.


• Excellent writing and public communication skills. Sound knowledge of the media environment, including a developed network of media contacts.


• Proven capacity to work in a stressful face-paced environment.


• Interested in and knowledgeable about humanitarian affairs.

Desired profile and skills

• Confirmed experience in developing and implementing communication strategies.


• Great all-round communicator, with sound digital and media relations skills.


• Able to produce clean and informative prose in a variety of styles for different audiences. Excellent oral and written communication skills.


• Able to master complex topics quickly and translate them into simple language and powerful messages.


• Excellent project management skills including a high degree of organization, strong priority-setting skills and ability to work on tight deadlines


• Excellent public communication skills and sound knowledge of media environment.


• Proven capacity to work in a stressful environment and follow tight deadlines.


• Experience with the ICRC and/or RC/RC Movement an asset.

Personal skills

• Proven capacity to work in a team.


• High degree of creativity. Able to work autonomously and independently.


• Able to build constructive relationships with technical file holders.


• A good sense of diplomacy and sound negotiation skills


• Excellent interpersonal skills and a good sense of humour.


• Fluent English. French and other languages an asset.

Additional information

• Location :                            Geneva


• Type of contract :                Open-ended


• Activity rate :                       100%


• Length of assignment :        2 years initially, extendable up to 4 years.


• Estimated start date :          January 2019


• Application deadline :      23.09.2018