The International Rescue Committee, one of the world’s largest humanitarian international NGOs, provides relief, rehabilitation and development support to vulnerable people and communities over 30 countries. We began work in Ethiopia in 2000 in response to severe drought in Ethiopia’s Somali region and are currently providing assistance to Ethiopians and refugees in six regions in Ethiopia, implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery, and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response.

Position Overview

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is seeking a Communications Officer to manage internal and external communications and visibility projects for the IRC Ethiopia country program. He or she will be responsible for designing and delivering a range of communications products, including country office fact sheets, VIP visit briefing materials, program success stories, photos and videos, interviews with beneficiaries, blog posts for the IRC’s website, interviewing and writing staff profiles, among other tasks. He or she will be expected to develop and maintain a communications strategy for the country program, train staff on communications approaches, and be accountable for meeting IRC Ethiopia’s contractual donor visibility requirements. The Communications Officer will report to the Communications Manager and work closely with the Grants and Partnerships Unit.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop, update, and implement an internal and external communications strategy for IRC Ethiopia along with the Communications Manager

• Lead in designing and developing information and visibility materials, brochures, posters, as well as website material.

• Develop and track implementation of donor visibility and branding plans for all IRC Ethiopia programming. 

• Help IRC country program staff to proactively prepare for communications needs contributing to overall better information flow and coordination of all programming. 

• Work with HQ teams on media campaigns to raise global awareness of humanitarian needs for all  IRC program activities in Ethiopia;

• Proactively seek out interesting stories from programs, initiating or accompanying field visits to collect high-quality photos, quotes and audio and video material suitable for use in media and communication products;

• Train and coach program staff on external communications and how to spot and share relevant information, data, and human interest stories from their work to convey the project’s success and impact on clients’ lives;

• Maintain and analyze data on the scale and reach of communication products. 

Job Requirements

Qualification and Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (journalism, humanitarian affairs, etc.) and at least two years of relevant work experience;

• Work experience in communications, journalism or documentation, ideally for an international humanitarian organization;

• Demonstrated experience producing public relations and/or visibility materials in different media;

• Understanding of the humanitarian context in Ethiopia and knowledge of Ethiopia’s regions;

• Experience with websites and blogs highly desirable;

• Experience in conducting trainings and workshops would be an asset;

• Fluency in spoken and written English required;

• Strong written communication and editing skills (including creative writing) with the ability to make complex information and data accessible to non-experts;

• Computer literacy: Proficiency in MS Word, MS PowerPoint and MS Publishing or other publishing software required with experience in graphic design/layout for publications desirable;

• Must be proactive, a good team player, open to criticism and be results oriented;

• Ability to coordinate and liaise between colleagues from different technical areas across various levels (local/regional, country level, global) of the organization and across partner organizations;

• Ability to operate in a fast-paced environment and prioritize tasks;

• Experience with photography, videography, and script-writing highly desirable;

• Must be culturally and gender sensitive both in personal interactions and communication.

Reports to: Communication Manager

How to Apply

Candidates meeting the above qualifications are encouraged to apply only through THIS LINK

Please include 3 references from current and former employers.

Applications will not be returned. IRC discourages phone calls or personal visits.

Only applicants meeting the minimum qualification will be short listed and contacted.

 Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Your application letter/cover letter must include the following information.

• Name of the position you have applied for

• Date of application

• Summary of your qualifications and experience

• Motivation/objective of why you have applied for the job

• Permanent Address and present address (if different from permanent) and telephone number if possible, also email address

• Disclose any family relationships with existing IRC employees.

IRC is an equal employment opportunity employer.  IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

Professional Standards: 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

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.