Senior Communications and Donor Relations Officer

Purpose purpose:

Reporting to the Head of the Country Delegation, with technical line management from the Asia Pacific communications manager, the senior communications and donor relations officer will develop and manage the implementation of IFRC’s media and communications plan, position the IFRC as a key humanitarian leader; profile the achievements of National Society; help build communications and influencing capacity of PRC and highlight proposed solutions to humanitarian challenges, as well as support in improving and diversifying donor relations and donor partnerships in the Philippines. S/He serves as the IFRC’s communications and donor relations (DR) focal point for PRC and provides critical Communications and DR support in disasters, ongoing crises, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Responsibilities:

Communications

• Develop, coordinate and implement a media and communication plan, for the Philippines in consultation with the Head of Delegation, and Asia Pacific Communications Manager, making effective use of news media, digital media platforms, social media and advocacy.
• Manage Philippines communications needs including a focus on disasters and as part of the wider Asia Pacific and global communications team, with a focus on highlighting Philippine Red Cross and IFRC humanitarian operations to partners globally.
• Act as media spokesperson for the IFRC and serve as a key support for the Asia Pacific Communications Manager for the international and regional media. Identify, prepare and brief other IFRC spokespeople.
• Identify story ideas and news opportunities and pitch them to the international media; organise press conferences, draft media advisories/press releases as required.
• Provide guidance, support and advice as required to IFRC and National Society senior management, particularly on potential or emerging reputational risk management issues.
• Build media lists and sustain strong close relationships with members of the international news agencies, regional media bureaus, other key influencers and professional communications
• Provide communications support and deploy as required to IFRC operational areas and manage audio/visual contractors, to provide management in disasters.
• Facilitate the audio-visual needs of the IFRC, partner national societies and the media, including the commissioning of professional photographer and videographer assignments.
• Produce materials that support the communications efforts of the Delegation and National Society, including key messages, talking points, Question and Answer and reactive lines documents as needed.
• Strengthen media and communications networks in Philippines and engage with them boosting IFRC’s reputation and public profile.
• Support and facilitate VIP and media field visits as required.
• Build a strong network with PRC communications, leadership and technical focal points and encourage active engagement with the Asia Pacific and Global networks to support greater media and public engagement.
• Provide skills training, mentoring and facilitation of peer-to-peer exchanges as required.
• Contribute regular content and drive traffic to IFRC regional and global social media platforms.
• Liaise and coordinate with communications focal points of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, ICRC as needed.
• As required, liaise, share information and collaborate with communications counterparts at donor agencies, UN agencies, international government and nongovernment agencies.
• Assist with the development of processes and tools that support and enhance the IFRC’s systems and capacities in emergency communications.
• Integrate and scale-up digital technologies and social media into IFRC communications to increase IFRC’s reputation and influence with donors, boosting humanitarian diplomacy.
• Produce quality, evidence-based content that supports impactful communication and advocacy initiatives promoting humanitarian operations in Philippines.

Qualifications: Essential: University Degree in journalism, communications, international relations, development studies or social sciences, humanitarian field, development

Work experience:

• Five years of experience in communications, advocacy and/or media relations and/or five years’ experience of working in a journalism
• Two years of experience in donor relations, advocacy and/or resource mobilization
• Experience of working in the international humanitarian or development sector or a related field in a developing country
• Experience in digital story production, photography, videography, editing
• Previous working experience at the IFRC Secretariat, field experience, similar international humanitarian agency and/or National Society
• Broad understanding of Red Cross Red Crescent policies and activities