Country: Switzerland
Closing date: 09 Apr 2018
Reports to (role)
Head of Communication Policy and Support Unit
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
Engaging with and being accountable to affected people is an approach that seeks to put people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence at the centre of humanitarian action This people-centric approach to programming and communication focusses on the provision of life-saving, useful and actionable information for affected people (i.e. information-as-aid) and the establishment of two-way communication channels to listen to their needs, concerns, feedback and complaints so that they actively participate and guide humanitarian action.
For the ICRC, Community Engagement is a key component of the Accountability to Affected People (AAP) Framework and is the foundation of the organisation’s operational model, which is based on working closely with affected people, both physically and digitally. Such proximity and engagement are crucial to understand people's self-identified needs, priorities and specific vulnerabilities, while building on their existing capacities and coping mechanisms.
Informed by the ICRC's Institutional Strategy 2015-2018 and framed by the External Communication Doctrine and AAP Institutional Framework, the purpose of this traineeship position is to work closely with and support the 3-person Community Engagement team (1 advisor, 1 digital advisor, and 1 field support advisor). The Community Engagement team is part of a larger, multidisciplinary AAP team hosted within Operations.
Functional responsibilities
The team divides its work into 4 main areas: 1/ Policy & Research, 2/ Capacity Development & Technical Support, 3/ Experimentation & Documentation, and 4/ Working with the Movement.
The post holder, as a core member of the team, will support the team across all 4 areas, and will assume the following, specific responsibilities:
- Editing the Community Engagement Good Practices document.
- Assist in the production of case studies, guidance (e.g. Movement CEA Guide), tools (e.g. Social Media Guide) and other products for internal and external dissemination.
- Assist in the production and launch of policy papers (see upcoming report) and other research (e.g. Messaging Apps).
- Assist in internal outreach and the spreading of community engagement initiatives and plans among key ICRC audiences.
- Support the organization of events (e.g. external launches, internal meetings, workshops, courses, brownbag lunches…)
- Provide report formatting and administrative support to the team.
Certifications / Education required
Bachelor or Master's degree in communications, international relations, development studies or other relevant subjects.
Professional Experience required
- Work experience, preferably in a communication-related field and in the non-profit sector, is an asset.
- Field experience with a humanitarian organization will be a distinctive asset.
- No more than one year of paid professional experience after the last studies.
Desired profile and skills
- Strongly motivated by humanitarian work.
- Proven interest in community engagement and accountability to affected people.
- Strong writing and editing skills.
- Excellent writing skills in English and in a second language (French, Spanish and/or Arabic).
- Passionate about information, communication and technology.
- Great attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
- Sense of initiative, creativity and flexibility.
- At ease with the use of social media, such as Twitter, Facebook and other platforms.
- Practical knowledge of IT and web-based tools, such as Google Analytics, PowerPoint, and online conferencing tools.
- Ability to work as part of a team, in an international environment, with colleagues from and in different parts of the world.
What we offer
- Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment
- Attractive social benefits
- Paid traineeship
Additional information
- Type of position: Traineeship
- Location: Geneva, Switzerland
- Length of assignment : 12 months
- Working rate: 100%
- Starting date: 11/06/2018
- Application deadline: 09/04/2018
How to apply:
To apply, please vist: http://bit.ly/2uKrMJr