Communications Officer at the International Rescue Committee (IRC)

The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control of their future. In some 40 countries and 26 U.S. cities, our dedicated teams provide clean water, shelter, health care, education and protection to refugees and displaced people. IRC is committed to bold leadership, innovation, creative partnerships and assists people from harm to home.

IRC began working in Nigeria in October 2012 in response to a widespread flooding. Since then, IRC has expanded its program scope and size with the aim of making the greatest possible contribution to meeting humanitarian needs across North East Nigeria. IRC’s response includes integrated health, reproductive health, nutrition, protection including women’s protection and empowerment services, child protection, environmental health, economic recovery and development, and education support. The country program has recently developed a new Strategic Action Plan, which will guide growth in priority thematic and geographic areas.  

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Communications Officer

Requisition ID: req23826
Location: Maidguri, Borno
Sector: Grants
Employment Category: Regular
Employment Type: Full-Time
Open to Expatriates: No

Job Overview / Summary

• Based in either Damaturu or Mubi (one position per location), the Communications Officer will support internal and external communications and visibility initiatives for the IRC in Nigeria.
• Under the guidance of the communications Manager, the Communications Officer will be responsible for designing and delivering a range of communications products, including country office fact sheets, briefing materials, program success stories, photos, videos, interviews with beneficiaries, blog posts for the IRC’s website, social medial posts and staff profiles.
• The post holder will be expected support the development and maintenance  of  a communications strategy for the country office, train staff on communications approaches, and be accountable for meeting IRC Nigeria’s contractual visibility requirements.
• The position is supervised by the Communications Manager  and will work closely with Grants and Partnerships staff, Field Coordinators,  Senior Area Managers and program staff.

Major Responsibilities

• Implement the IRC Nigeria internal, external and donor communications strategies.
• Liaise with the global communications/advocacy teams to raise awareness of humanitarian needs in Nigeria.
• Lead in designing and developing information and visibility materials, such as fact sheets, briefing papers, brochures, posters, and social media content.
• Advise IRC colleagues on compliance with IRC and donor branding and visibility guidelines as needed
• Coordinate the sign off on branded items and products as needed
• Support to facilitate media/communications/advocacy visits to field bases
• Proactively seek out interesting stories from programs, initiating or accompanying field visits to collect high-quality photos, quotes and audio and video material suitable for use in media and communication products.
• Help IRC Country Program staff to proactively prepare for communications’ needs contributing to overall better information flow and coordination of all programming
• Support the Communications Manager to build IRC and partner capacity on external communications
• Maintain a database of essential connections and establish a solid working relationship with relevant media practitioners in Nigeria and field locations.
• Maintain communication resource materials and products library in box.

Key Working Relationships

• Position reports to: Communications Manager/SAM/FC.
• Position directly supervises: N/A
• Other Internal and/or external contacts: Grants, M&E, Programs teams, Senior Area Managers/ Field Coordinators, Global Communications/Advocacy, AMU, and others as appropriate.
• External contacts: Partners, media contacts, donors, and others as appropriate.

Qualifications
Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field (Communications, Journalism, Humanitarian Affairs, etc.).

Work Experience:

• Minimum of Two years’ experience in communications, preferably with a focus on international affairs or issues that cross with the humanitarian sector.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Experience in communications, journalism or documentation, ideally for an international humanitarian organization;
• Demonstrated experience producing public relations and/or visibility materials in different media;
• Experience with websites and blogs;
• Experience with photography, videography, and script-writing;
• Experience in conducting trainings and workshops is desirable;
• Experience in developing and delivering comprehensive communications plans.
• Strong written communication and editing skills (including creative writing) with the ability to make complex information and data accessible to non-experts;
• Computer literacy: Proficiency in MS Word, MS PowerPoint and MS Publishing or other publishing software required with experience in graphic design/layout for publications required;
• Ability to operate in a high-pressure workplace successfully, efficiently, professionally, and calmly on matters that are often difficult and politically sensitive.
• Experience with GIS/map making
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced environment and prioritize tasks;
• Understanding of the humanitarian context in Nigeria.

Language Skills: 

• Fluency in spoken and written English required
• Fluency in spoken and written Hausa required

Certificates or Licenses:

• Media, Journalism, Filming, Photography will be added advantage.

Standards of Professional Conduct  

• The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in 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.

Working Environment:  

• 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, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.