Signpost Editorial Manager

About IRC:

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.

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

About Signpost:

Signpost is an innovative, first-of-its-kind project that harnesses social media and other digital tools to change the way the humanitarian community communicates with refugees. It began in 2015 in Greece and is a collaboration between the IRC and Mercy Corps. Signpost meets refugees and host communities where they are online to listen to their questions and concerns and to provide the information, they need to make informed choices about their lives. We also provide the humanitarian community with a platform with accessible information in multiple languages. The Signpost channel provides users context-specific, up-to-date information on vital needs such as legal rights, transportation, and medical services in multiple languages – empowering individuals to make informed decisions at the most critical moments.

Job Overview/Summary:

The Signpost Editorial Manager will manage the implementation of Signpost initiative in COVID-19, assure quality of programming, and technical assistance to implementing partners. S/he will help in developing and implementing content strategy and assigning, line and copy editing, and approving content for Signpost’s site/app, blog and Facebook page. S/he is tasked with ensuring content is accurate, complete, easy to understand, and engaging. H/she will also be responsible for using our content management system (Contentful) and other tools to work with the moderators / service mapping officer / partners, and the Signpost global team and Technical Advisers to usher content from the first draft through editing and translation and ultimately to its final, published form. Additionally, the position holder will ensure our photo database, style guide and editorial calendar are up to date. S/he will also use other project management tools to keep the project organized and on track. S/he will write or co-write reports on Signpost content.

Major Responsibilities:

• To supervise the implementation of signpost initiative, identify gaps to Protection Manager and/or Senior Protection Coordinator for the provision of technical backstopping to the implementing partners
• Ensure Signpost content is accurate, complete, easy to understand and engaging.
• Edit written and multimedia content created by Signpost staff and use the Contentful CMS, Transifex translation-management software and other tools to prepare content for publication and publish content.
• Organize, update and manage the Signpost style guide.
• Ensure the Signpost photo database is up to date.
• Ensure the Signpost editorial calendar is up to date.
• Work with ICT team to resolve technical issues across platforms.
• Help monitor traffic and other feedback.
• Assist social media team with Facebook and Instagram posts.
• Draft reports on Signpost content as assigned.
• Represent Signpost at conferences, workshops, and other events.
• Undertake regular monitoring of signpost activities and provide follow up support to partners staff.
• Support protection monitoring officers in service mapping and updating service pathways on regular basis in targeted districts

Team Collaboration

• Collaborate with the editorial team, signpost officers, and moderators to manage content on Signpost platforms.
• Work closely with moderators in country, Senior Protection Coordinator, Communication Coordinator, Signpost Team at HQ, and PRoL Technical Adviser, to edit content they have drafted.
• Coordinate with ICT focal point to ensure smooth operation of the Signpost website and other tools.
• Work with editorial team to ensure content is aligned with the content strategy and appropriate for publication.
• Use online tools and other modes of communication to consistently share information with other members of the editorial team.
• Participate in relevant team meetings, workshops, strategy sessions, regular communications, etc., in country.

Accountability:

Reports Directly To: Sr. Protection Coordinator

Works Directly with (in country):, Sr. Communication and Partnership Coordinator, Head of Offices, Protection Manager, Project Manager. 

Works Directly With (Region and HQ): Refugee.Info editorial team; translators; Facebook moderators; Refugee.Info Hardware/Software Team; and PRoL TA.

Knowledge and Experience:

• MA in Communications, Social Sciences, or a field in the humanities desired but not required.
• Experience of protection programming preferably with refugees desired
• Minimum 3 years editing experience required; sub-editing/copy editing experience strongly desired.
• Expert-level knowledge of English grammar and usage.
• Experience using a CMS.
• Knowledge of online content best practices.
• Knowledge of social media strategy and content best practices.
• Experience in a newsroom desired.
• Experience in a humanitarian organization a plus.
• Knowledge of refugee issues in Pakistan desired

Skills and Interests:

• Very strong content editing skills required.
• Strong Oral and written English and Urdu skills required.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse team in a sensitive environment.
• Ability to work independently with remote management.
• Strong interpersonal skills and high emotional intelligence.
• Ability to handle pressure and ambiguity with grace and humor.
• Proven organizational skills.
• Healthy respect for deadlines.
• Strong interest in refugee/humanitarian issues.
• Good news judgment.
• Photo and video skills a plus.
• Native or near native in at least two- three of following language: Urdu, Pashto, Farsi, Dari desired.

Success Factors:

The successful Protection – Signpost Editorial Manager will be extremely proactive, detail-oriented and organized. S/he values accurate and error-free reporting above all. S/he is self-directed and reliably completes tasks. S/he is diplomatic and able to work with a range of peers. S/he is computer-savvy and quick to learn new tools. S/he has a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability and regularly seeks opportunities for collaboration. S/he thrives in evolving and changing environments. S/he has a Facebook account.

Travel:

• The position is based in Islamabad and will require travel to other locations as needed (up to 50%) – once the inter -district, inter- province travel restrictions are lifted by the government.

The IRC Core Values and Commitments:

• 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 Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons.
• IRC is committed to ensuring that IRC staff is suitable to work with children and have the knowledge s/he needs to uphold and abide by the IRC’s Child Safeguarding Policy.
• IRC recognizes that gender equality is fundamental to the achievement of our organizational mission. As such, IRC is committed to the promotion of gender equality in all aspects of our operations and programs. Our organizational policies, procedures, and actions demonstrate this commitment.