ARABIC SPEAKING SPOKESPERSON

Reports to (role)

Communication manager

Purpose

The Communication/Media Relations Delegate is the focal point for all public communication activities in the delegation, in coordination with the management and the Communication Manager. S/he leads in defining the delegation’s messages and content-generation planning in order to enhance and manage the delegation’s profile in the media and through public channels. S/he advises the delegation on public communication issues, opportunities and challenges and contributes to implementing the public engagement and digital strategies.

Accountabilities & Functional responsibilities

• Develops and implements the delegation's public communication plan in coordination with the Communication Manager and ensures it is implemented in the field sub-structures. Contributes to the sections on public communication objectives in the ICRC's annual planning and reporting documents (e.g. Planning for Results).
• Acts as a spokesperson for Iraqi, Arabic-speaking and international media. Develops strategies for promoting the ICRC's activities to the media and maintains regular contacts with editors and journalists in order to also further the ICRC’s positioning as a reference on humanitarian action and IHL in line with the desired identity of the delegation. Oversees the media mapping and contacts database for ICRC Iraq.
• Contributes to the implementation of training programs for local journalists on IHL, humanitarian principles and RC/RC Movement's work in Iraq with the goal of networking and increasing coverage.
• Organizes and manages media events and field trips when required and feasible.
• Drafts news releases and updates press lines and key messages in coordination with the Communication Manager and the regional and headquarters-based Public Relations Officer.
• Oversees production of the delegation's public communication materials. Develops and contributes to communication campaigns and tools to raise awareness about humanitarian issues.
• Provides coaching and guidance on public communication to staff in field structures and other departments.
• Plans, produces and publishes content for digital platforms managed by the delegation and coaches Communication staff across all sites in content generation. Works with the regional communication centres and relevant units at headquarters to generate content for global platforms using a network of photographers, audiovisual specialists and writers.
• Analyses the public communication environment for the humanitarian domain and other relevant issues related to ICRC Iraq. Carries out research and analysis of social media platforms with a focus on the use of social media in Iraq and integrates results into the strategy.
• Regularly reviews the effectiveness and impact of ICRC public communication activities and oversees monitoring of key issues related to how the ICRC is perceived in traditional and social media.
• Where feasible, builds the public communication capacity of the Iraqi Red Crescent Society and ensures smooth coordination on public communication with all components of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, especially during crises and joint Movement response.
• Assumes responsibility for the Iraq Communication department during the absence of the Communication Manager, ensuring continuity across files.

People management responsibilities

• Manages and coaches the Baghdad Digital Communication Team (1 Digital Officer & 1 Environment Scanning Officer). Is the technical supervisor (blue line) for 2 Erbil-based Com FOs, including Kurdish-language spokesperson.
• Understands and supervises the Performance Management & Development (PMD) activities for employees under their supervision.
• Makes sure that deadlines for the PMD cycle are met.
• Engages in ongoing and continuous feedback and support, particularly for employees under their supervision, but also other Communication team members.
• Organizes regular meetings within their team to ensure optimal coordination of the work and proper flow of information.
• Ensures that job descriptions for employees under their supervision are up to date; seeks feedback and support from the HR Department if needed.
• Plans and coordinates the annual leave of the employees under their supervision ensuring continuity of the operations throughout the year and making sure that there are no outstanding holiday balances at the end of the year.
• Coordinates and supports the employees under their supervision in their personal development by coaching and advising them on internal and external training and development possibilities.

Relationships

• Internally, interacts with the Communication Manager and other communication staff members, including at field structures; heads of department and heads of field structure, and the Head of Delegation; regional or headquarters-based Public Relations Officers; headquarters Digital Officer.
• Externally, interacts with media (senior editors, reporters, correspondents etc.); freelance writers, photographers, video producers, and public relations officers in other humanitarian organizations.

Professional Experience 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 and Arabic.
• Advanced computer skills (competence in MS Office and other software); mastery of digital communication tools.
• French, German, Russian and/or Spanish, an asset.

Desired profile and skills

• At least 5 years' work experience in a field relevant to communication, with at least 2-3 years in media relations and content generation (inside or outside the ICRC).
• Excellent public communication skills and sound knowledge of the media environment.
• Professional experience with digital communication tools.
• Experience of a high level of public exposure and working in stressful situations under tight deadlines.
• ICRC experience an asset.

Our operational & field constraints

• In line with the principle of neutrality, the ICRC dœs not assign personnel to a country of which they are nationals
• Candidates must be in good health and will have to do a medical check-up prior to departure in the field
• Candidates must possess a driving license (for manual transmission vehicles)
• Candidates must be prepared to accept unaccompanied postings (i.e. no spouse, partner, children or dependents) for at least the first 24 months

What we offer

• Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment
• A two-week orientation course and other opportunities for further in-house training
• Attractive social benefits
• Length of assignment: 12 months
• Join an ICRC talent pool and be considered for future assignments elsewhere

Click on the link below to apply:
https://bit.ly/2TpYXt0