Global Communications Coordinator – Geneva, Switzerland (Headquarter)

Mission

Geneva Call is an international humanitarian organization striving to enhance the protection of civilians in conflict contexts. Geneva Call engages in a dialogue with armed groups and de facto authorities for them to be aware and better comply with international humanitarian norms and principles. Geneva Call is headquartered in Geneva and works in 16 conflict contexts in South-East and Central Asia, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.

Geneva Call consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, and opinions. Geneva Call is an inclusive working environment for all its staff. Applications are particularly encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on the grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Role

Geneva Call is looking for a Global Communications Coordinator (GCC) who will be responsible for the organization’s external communications globally. The GCC is a Senior member of the Global Engagement Unit, reporting to the Head of Global Engagement and part of the office of the Director-General.

The GCC will lead a wide range of efforts contributing to increasing the organization’s impact and positioning through carefully designed and coordinated communications outputs.

S/he develops the organization’s global communications strategy and plans in close collaboration and consultations with country teams and the organization’s senior management team.

Core responsibilities

Communication strategy & plans

• Design, draft and implement Geneva Call’s Global Communication Strategy in line with the organization’s Strategy 2024-2027 and its enhanced Theory of Change.
• Oversee the development of communications strategies/plans that are specific to existing country programmes and/or policy or advocacy initiatives in close collaboration with relevant Regional and Country Directors.
• Monitor emerging trends in communications and media channels, identify opportunities and needs for Geneva Call and lead implementation of the organization’s response (including oversight of the website and social media channels as well as updates and upgrades to them).
• Establish robust coordination and support mechanisms among all communications team members in the field to stay abreast of their current efforts, needs and constraints.

Website and social media

• Responsible for Geneva Call’s website, associated sub-sites and social media channels.
• Develop and disseminate guidelines for the decentralized, context specific use of social media channels by country teams in line with Geneva Call’s visual identity and branding parameters.
• Establish and lead in regularly producing timely and impactful content to engage digital audiences meaningfully.

Annual Report and other publications

• Lead the editorial development and coordinate the production and dissemination of Geneva Call’s Annual Report.
• Write a wide range of pieces including web stories, op-eds, social media posts, capturing Geneva Call’s impact and enhancing its positioning globally.

Events and public relations

• Co-lead in the conceptualization of public events or other public relations activities in Geneva and or in countries. This includes the coordination of protocolar ceremonies for the signing of Geneva Call’s Deeds of Commitments.

Media relations & crisis management

• Develop and implement a media engagement strategy attuned to Geneva Call’s specific mission and acknowledging the high sensitivity of its activities.
• Develop pedagogic material and conduct media engagement training to Geneva Call’s Senior Managers to enhance the overall capacity of the organization to engage meaningfully with global or local media outlets.
• Maintain and develop a wide network of relevant media contacts in Geneva and beyond.
• Seek opportunities for media engagement when deemed strategic to advance the organization’s impact and reputation.
• Establish and maintain a media monitoring system.
• Develop a crisis communication management module to enhance the organization’s capacity to react to crises.
• Prepare talking points, press releases and/or draft statements.

Team management & service providers

• Give functional guidance to Communication Team in the field; manages and coordinates a roster of service providers (AV, photographers, web providers, etc.) both in Geneva and in the field in line with the organization’s procurement policy.
• Develop and assess the human, financial and other resources required to implement various communication strategies and plans as they are rolled out.
• Capacity building and development of country-based communications staff.

Resource mobilization efforts

• Contribute to project proposals development through advising country teams and proposal writers on technical issues related to communications aspects and outputs.
• Actively seek to secure new and additional resources for communications, including by identifying potential donors and writing project proposals to support communications or advocacy activities.

Main qualifications

Candidates with relevant qualifications, experience, a tertiary degree, and fluency in English and French are invited to apply.

Relevant experience and qualifications may include but is not limited to the following:

Education

• Master’s degree or equivalent or bachelor’s with 10 years of experience in communications, journalism, public relations, political science, history or international relations.

Experience

• At least 10 years of professional experience with gradual senior managerial responsibilities in non-profit organizations with focus on work in conflict-affected contexts.
• Experience in a senior position leading communications efforts in media, journalism, public relations, or advocacy.
• Management experience with budget oversight and team supervision responsibilities
• Experience in developing innovative approaches to communication in diverse media channels is an advantage.

Competencies

• English as mother tongue. Other languages competences such as French, Spanish, Arabic or German are an asset.
• Dynamic, pro-active and result oriented.
• Strategic thinker and creative.
• Expert understanding of how strategic communications deliver change in sensitive contexts.
• Ability to self-manage, work under pressure, and deliver under tight deadlines.
• Robust knowledge of international humanitarian, peace, development, and security work.
• Professional command of communication tools, including digital tools and related software.
• Ability to produce and deliver clear and concise presentations; advanced public speaking skills, including media engagement.
• Exceptional writing and editorial skills.
• Advanced knowledge of and ability to apply management principles as they relate to multi-cultural and complex organizations. Developed ability to mentor, coach and create inclusive and cohesive teams.
• Political sensitivity and awareness; tact and diplomacy.

Other

• Ability to travel occasionally.

Performance management

The employee will be accountable for the responsibilities and the competencies, in accordance with the GC Performance Management p. The following documents will be used for performance reviews:

• The Job Description
• The individual Work- and Professional Development Plan
• The Competency Framework

Conflict of interest

Any candidate affiliated to, or openly supporting, one or more interest groups opposed to the Foundation’s principles and values, or whose previous position could engender safety issues for co-workers at Appel de Genève / Geneva Call, will be excluded from this selection process.

Conditions

• Position : Global Communications Coordinator
• Department: Global Engagement Unit
• Type of Contract: Open-ended (Swiss contract)
• Activity rate: 100%, full-time position
• Work place: Geneva, Switzerland – Please note that only candidates authorized to work in Switzerland will be considered for this position
• Preferred start date: As soon as possible