Regional Content and Information Officer

The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, IRC offers life-saving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in more than 40 countries and in 22 U.S. cities, IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted by conflict or disaster. IRC leads the way from harm to home.

CONTEXTUAL BACKGROUND

The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Inside Syria, 7.6 million people are internally displaced and 12.2 million are in need of humanitarian assistance. Today’s 3.2 million refugees are expected to increase to 3.5 million by the end of 2014. IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis. With an annual budget in excess of $100 million and a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 1100 staff in the region, IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, education, women’s protection and empowerment, NFI and food distribution, cash assistance, water and sanitation, and livelihood programming. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding and coordination.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Director of Public Affairs, the Regional Content and Information Officer (RCIO) will support regional communications activities by researching, planning and developing information products about IRC’s programs in the region for global internal distribution. The role will also support content production – design, video, and writing – for internal and external communications and grant visibility requirements. The RCIO will cover country program operations in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Turkey to build awareness and understanding of IRC’s work responding to the Syria crisis, ensuring that IRC’s experience and expertise are well communicated and presented by IRC staff.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical

• Participate in developing, implementing and monitoring the delivery of external and internal communications strategies and plans;

Work with country program teams to collect, produce, synthesize and disseminate information suitable for an external and internal audiences;

• Maintain up-to-date country program data;
• Develop, package and disseminate situation reports, internal informational documents and external communication materials that promote the work of IRC and tell the stories of the people IRC serves;
• Review all publications and field visibility materials produced by country programs to ensure that IRC branding and communication guidelines are uniformly and consistently followed, and that products conform to donor guidelines and requirements; 
• Conceptualize, develop and package various information materials about IRC’s work for communications and/or advocacy purposes (e.g. brochures, briefing kits, videos, informational material) and ensure this information is shared with relevant HQ staff;
• Act as a resource person for country programs requesting communications training for staff and partners;
• Support country program staff to improve internal and programmatic communications, such as developing new and creative/unconventional ways to disseminate information in program locations;
• In coordination with the Director of Public Affairs, identify, design and implement creative approaches to participatory advocacy and communications projects for an external audience with beneficiaries;
• Support country programs to plan and implement communications events.
• Support country programs to create donor visibility and communications products and events;
• Work closely with relevant HQ staff on visibility requirements for donors;
• Build capacity of IRC staff in relation to communications through the development of guidelines, training materials and projects, and briefing staff on campaign objectives and messages. 

Coordination and Liaison

• Liaise and maintain contact with Communications team members in the US and UK and the Regional Media Officer in implementing communication activities;
• Conceptualize, design, post to, and coordinate with HQ (both US and UK) and the Regional Media Officer on content for social media platforms;
• Liaise with other agencies on inter-agency communications and campaigning;
• Supervise and/or coordinate with interns, volunteers and consultants/service providers who may be assigned to communications and media work, ensuring competencies and outputs meet organizational demands and expectations.

Resource Management

• Draw up budgets for communications work and activities, manage spending within budgets, and provide justifications for variances.

These responsibilities are indicative of the nature and level of work to be assigned and are not exhaustive.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Position Reports to: Director of Public Affairs

Position directly supervises: N/A

Indirect Reporting: HQ Communications team in UK and US

Other Internal: SRR Media Officer, SRR Regional Director, Country Directors and country program staff.

Other External: Host country government officials, public and private donor agencies, international and national NGOs, UN agencies, foreign governments, media representatives

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in The IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct.  These are Integrity, 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.

REQUIREMENTS

Advanced degree in relevant field required

• At least five years of increasingly responsible professional experience in media and communications field, including in an overseas humanitarian context
• Demonstrated ability to create engaging written and graphical content for internal and external audiences
• Exceptional writing skills
• Full and fluent familiarity with social media
• Strong skills in mapping, graphics and other media
• Proven photography skills
• Experience shooting and editing film a strong asset
• Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (esp. Final Cut, Illustrator, Photoshop and Indesign)
• Superb interpersonal, communication, relationship-building and negotiation skills
• Proven ability to persuade and influence colleagues not under supervisory authority
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Ability to respond to multiple priorities in a timely manner, producing high-quality outcomes
• Culturally sensitive, able and interested in working with a multi-ethnic team
• A keen understanding of political complexities in the Middle East region is strongly preferred
• Experience conducting training and capacity building activities for local organizations and program staff advantageous
• Excellent English skills; Arabic language skills advantageous
• Must be willing and able to travel throughout the region approximately one-third of the time, occasionally at short notice and sometimes under strenuous conditions.

Other Information: Amman is currently not assessed as a high-risk environment and it remains a generally safe city as long as IRC security protocols are observed. The post is fully accompanied and housing will be provided by IRC according to the IRC Jordan housing policy. Travel at approximately 30% is anticipated.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.