Communications Manager

IRC Background:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) 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, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to the displaced and refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

IRC has been working in Pakistan for over 30 years, and manages and delivers large complex programs to meet needs in health, education, protection, environmental health and livelihoods for displaced, poor & affected communities. IRC works in partnership with local government and non-governmental organizations and currently works in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh provinces.

Job Summary:

The Communications Manager will be leading on information and communications needs in line with the IRC’s SAP, Strategic and Programmatic requirements. Reporting to Country Director, the Communications Manager will work closely with country office program staff to collect, analyze and share information and communicate the IRC’s work to key stakeholders internally (e.g. HQ, Region, Country Office programs etc.) and externally (e.g. donors, beneficiaries, partners, relevant government institutions, wider public etc).

Responsibilities:

·         Develop and maintain internal information & communication policies and protocols in consultation with relevant focal points at HQ and region

·         Strategically position IRC into media in accordance with the approved policy and through close guidance of the supervisor

·         Ensure the IRC’s work to be positively reflected amongst wider public by capitalizing on the organized public & programmatic events, ceremonies, commemorations etc.

·         Ensure that all IEC material (within specific projects or for broader country program) is standardized as per the communication policy and protocols and is approved by the IEC Committee before printing and/or dissemination

·         Build the capacities of key program staff on documenting success stories, case studies, media write-ups, press releases etc.

·         Closely coordinate with Pakistan Reading Project and other key peer organizations in the country to identify and mature the mutual areas of collaboration and interests for joint initiatives and actions

·         Prepare press releases for all events organized by the IRC

·         Develop the IRC’s strategy to use social media as means to positive project IRC’s work in the country in consultation with and guidance from the IRC’s Regional Office and HQ

·         Regularly visit field to learn and understand the contexts and documenting pieces of work which can/should be shared widely

·         Support the programs by electronically documenting the IRC’s work (e.g. documentaries, videos etc.)

·         Support the programs in designing the awareness raising, advocacy, information, sensitization and/or other similar campaigns

·         Prepare, edit, and update fact sheets, case studies, newsletters and other public information documents

·         Assist in the research and writing of briefing and training materials

·         Respond to internal information requests from staff in international offices, partners and donors in consultation with respective program staff/supervisor

·         Prepare briefing packs for donor and other visitors to IRC response activities in the field, as necessary

·         Track, research and analyze information on key areas of interest as per the programmatic requirements or assignment otherwise by the supervisor/country management

·         As needed, assist the Regional Media Manager with external communications materials (e.g. media stories, photographs, video footage for external news outlets and social media)

·         Advise the IRC’s Senior Management on innovative means and ways of communicating internally as they respond to staff’s mutual concerns, issues, announcements etc.

As needed, research and writing of briefing materials and advocacy papers in coordination with the Regional Advocacy Office

Skills:

·         Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills in English and Urdu

·         Detail-oriented with good multi-tasking abilities to meet multiple deadlines

·         Able to work well both within a team and independently, in a challenging and fast-moving multicultural environment

·         Strong understanding of Pakistan’s context and difficult-to-work environments

·         Strong team player with proven ability to step-up and lead as and when needed and vice versa

Demonstrated ability to write and edit articles and reports under deadline pressure

·          Strong interpersonal, cross-cultural & diplomacy skills