Polish Red Cross
Organizational context (where the job is located in the Organization)
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” The IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.
The IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of the IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.
In late February a new phase in the armed conflict in Ukraine started with the intensification and spread of hostilities affecting many parts of the country and causing major concern for the protection of civilians and essential civilian infrastructure. Within two weeks of the intensification, more than 2,5 million people from Ukraine had fled and been evacuated to seven neighbouring countries and beyond and several million are estimated to be displaced inside the country. The needs are massive and has been described as the largest European humanitarian operations since the World War II.
IFRC has launched an Emergency Appeal for Ukraine and impacted countries that is coordinated on a European regional level and supported in the initial months by a large number of Surge delegates in the impacted countries and in the European Regional Office. ICRC, IFRC and numerous Partner National Societies are integrating their capacities to provide coordinated crisis responsein Ukraine and the neighboring countries. Operations are led and coordinated on country-level whenever possible, integrated under existing Country and Cluster delegations, through Operations Managers reporting to Heads of Country or Cluster Delegation. Where no Country or Cluster delegation exists, Operations Managers report directly to the Regional Office. Resources to support all or several impacted countries from a regional level will be fully integrated into existing structures at the Regional Office.
The position is based in Warsaw and provides support to the IFRC Country Cluster with a strong focus on Ukraine and Impacted Countries.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” The IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.
The IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of the IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.
In late February a new phase in the armed conflict in Ukraine started with the intensification and spread of hostilities affecting many parts of the country and causing major concern for the protection of civilians and essential civilian infrastructure. Within two weeks of the intensification, more than 2,5 million people from Ukraine had fled and been evacuated to seven neighbouring countries and beyond and several million are estimated to be displaced inside the country. The needs are massive and has been described as the largest European humanitarian operations since the World War II.
IFRC has launched an Emergency Appeal for Ukraine and impacted countries that is coordinated on a European regional level and supported in the initial months by a large number of Surge delegates in the impacted countries and in the European Regional Office. ICRC, IFRC and numerous Partner National Societies are integrating their capacities to provide coordinated crisis responsein Ukraine and the neighboring countries. Operations are led and coordinated on country-level whenever possible, integrated under existing Country and Cluster delegations, through Operations Managers reporting to Heads of Country or Cluster Delegation. Where no Country or Cluster delegation exists, Operations Managers report directly to the Regional Office. Resources to support all or several impacted countries from a regional level will be fully integrated into existing structures at the Regional Office.
The position is based in Warsaw and provides support to the IFRC Country Cluster with a strong focus on Ukraine and Impacted Countries.
Job purpose
The Senior Communication Officer will act as a focal point to support the Ukraine and Surrounding Countries Crisis as well as other strategic communication needs in the cluster. He/she will be in charge of developing regular and quality communication materials to position the National Society as a key responder on international media and amongst different stakeholders, and to work to support the capacity of communications for the National Societies.
Job duties and responsibilities
In line with IFRC’s Standard Operating Procedures for emergency communications (annex 1), and in close cooperation with regional communications managers and IFRC’s communications department in Geneva, the Communications officer is responsible for supporting the affected National Red Cross communications through:
In line with IFRC’s Standard Operating Procedures for emergency communications (annex 1), and in close cooperation with regional communications managers and IFRC’s communications department in Geneva, the Communications officer is responsible for supporting the affected National Red Cross communications through:
- Executing IFRC’s communications strategy for Ukraine Crisis Response including
- Liaising with IFRC in Europe Regional Office for information sharing;
- Updating external facing key messages for use by IFRC staff and the National Societies and the wider movement communications network; and
- Supporting revisions of appeal and other major operations milestones with diverse people-centred content and information
- Strengthening National Societies’ communications capacity through strategic communications advice and providing opportunities for learning, coaching, skills transfer, mentoring and facilitation of peer-to-peer exchanges.
- Ensuring visibility in local and international media through pitching story ideas about National Society and IFRC operations to media, ensuring the availability of well-briefed spokespeople for media, and supporting officials (National Societies and IFRC) in their media engagements.
- Ensuring strong social media engagement through proposing and producing content for IFRC and Polish Red Cross channels such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and tracking and responding to audience engagement with social media.
- Supporting high level visits and events that help position IFRC and National Societies in media/social media coverage
- Sharing any communications material created with the IFRC communications team for wider distribution via the Newswire and use among the Red Cross Red Crescent communications network
- Supporting the management of reputational issues through monitoring, advising on and responding to local developments and issues with reputational consequences
- Supporting the national society with additional communications needs as required by the Polish Red Cross communications expert.
- Supporting the Head of Cluster to analyse and follow-up the overall political, economic and social situation in Poland to support IFRC positioning.
- Conducting regular media monitoring in Poland and providing analysis of the humanitarian trends in the country.
How to apply
Position Requirements
Education: A degree in one of the following areas: communications/journalism/public relations/international affairs or similar – required
Experience At least 5 years of experience working as journalist/press officer and/or communications – required
Preferred: Experience in working with the media, Experience in managing social media tools and multimedia storytelling
Red Cross and Red Crescent experience
Knowledge and Skills
Required Knowledge of humanitarian affairs, English writing skills including proven experience in drafting people-centered communications content for a variety of communications channels
Preferred
Demonstrated understanding and use of social media for communications and advocacy purposes
Self-supporting in IT (including web and social media tools)
Basic graphic design and audiovisual skills
Required:Fluently spoken and written English, Fluently spoken and written Polish
If you look for a work in an intercultural environment,you have the necessary competences and experience, and at the same time you value assistance to people in need, we kindly invite you to submit your application ( CV + cover letter) to the email: [email protected]
Please note that this position is open for Polish nationals