The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an impartial, neutral and independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence and to provide them with assistance. It also endeavors to promote and strengthen the international humanitarian law (IHL) and universal humanitarian principles, across the world. 

In Africa, the ICRC is present in 26 countries with a strong operational presence providing protection and assistance to victims of armed conflict or other situations of violence including children, women, detainees, Internally Displaced People (IDPs), refugees and migrants.  It also responds to health emergencies and provides support to the African Union Member States in cooperation with the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.  Africa continues to remain an important context for the ICRC, where its humanitarian actions are guided by the Red Cross principles of impartiality, neutrality and independence.   

The ICRC delegation to the African Union (ADO) is one of the diplomatic delegations of ICRC strategically positioned in Addis to work with the African Union.  It has an accreditation to the Organization of African Unity/ African Union since 1992. Since then, has been working closely with the African Union Commission and its organs on promotion and respect for IHL. 

ADO’s mission is to achieve its Humanitarian Diplomacy objectives in complementarity to ICRC’s Africa operational humanitarian actions as well as global positioning.  As a strategic direction, ADO has two overarching goals; acceptance of ICRC and acceptance of the law where extensive diplomatic engagement with key African stakeholders is taken place with the African union and its constituencies. 

For more information, visit website: https://www.icrc.org/ 

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Delegation to the African Union (ADO) is looking to hire an experienced, highly motivated and qualified person to fill the position of Communication Officer 2 based in Addis Ababa.

Terms of Employment: 1-year fixed term contract with possibility of extension.

PURPOSE

The Communication Officer 2 contributes to designing, planning and implementing internal and external communication projects and activities under the supervision of the Humanitarian Affairs Advisor 2 (HAA) and in coordination with the Head of Regional Communication Centre in Nairobi and the Communication Head of Sector in Geneva. S/he contributes to representing the ICRC externally and building the necessary understanding and acceptance of and support for the ICRC among key stakeholders including with the AU, RECs and Media outlets.

S/he defines the delegations’ public communication efforts in coordination with the region and HQ. S/he ensures public communications approaches (media and digital) support the ICRC’s key humanitarian diplomacy efforts and external engagement priorities.

GENERAL DUTIES

• Understands and adheres to the seven Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

• Understands and adheres to the ICRC Code of Conduct

• Understands the roles of the components of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

• Respects and observes staff regulations and security rules at all times

• Represents the ICRC in a professional manner at all times

• Develops and maintains a pleasant and conducive working environment with colleagues and line managers

• Performs all duties with the highest level of confidentiality in the interest of the employees and the ICRC

• May be asked to perform tasks not covered in this job description and to provide support to other departments when necessary

ACCOUNTABILITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

ACCOUNTABILITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Contributes to defining communication and, where relevant, prevention objectives, strategies and plans of action for the geographic area or programme covered, in line with the field sub-structure's priorities and/or the delegation’s communication/prevention strategy.

• With minimum supervision, implements relevant activities and develops tools for: operational communication, community engagement, promoting international humanitarian law (IHL), building National Red Cross/Red Crescent Society communication capacity, public and digital communication, information analysis/environment scanning, interaction with religious circles, public affairs and resource mobilization.

• Supports the Head of Sub-Structure and/or Communication or Communication/Prevention Manager in networking with relevant stakeholders and represents the ICRC to various audiences.

• Follows political, security, military and humanitarian developments, as well as other issues relevant to the ICRC's reputation/perception and capacity to operate in the geographic area covered, contributing to their analysis.

• Interprets and translates from and into the local language to support communication programmes when required.

• Provides technical and administrative support to the communication team (e.g. filing, stock management, event organization) when required.

• Supports communication-related training and coaching for field-structure staff and/or other departments when needed.

DELEGATION SPECIFIC TASKS: 

1. MEDIA & SOCIAL MEDIA MONITORING AND MAPPING

• Collect and share information related to the African Union and humanitarian developments in Africa, as well as other issues relevant to the ICRC's reputation/perception and capacity to operate in the AU context, in order to improve the ICRC’s understanding of the environment and humanitarian trends and responses in support of the delegation’s humanitarian diplomacy priorities.

• Monitor local and international media daily, as well as the websites of the AU, the UN Think thanks, social media accounts of key interlocutors, the ICRC and other relevant international organizations. 

• Produce a weekly Media/Social media monitoring report to share with the team.

• Map media and update the document proactively engage with journalists to raise awareness on ICRC’s mandate and work. 

• Support HAA mapping of key interlocutors with a focus on their digital footprint.

        2. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION

• Develop and implement a communication strategy, contribute to defining communication contents (digital, print, audiovisual and media) and, where relevant, humanitarian diplomacy objectives, strategies and plans of action in line with the ADO’s priorities and its communication strategic goals.

• Create, edit, repurpose and publish communication material about the activities of ADO and other delegations in the region.

• Organize and manage media events, training and field trips when required, draft news releases and updates, press lines, reports in coordination with the Management and the ICRC Regional Communication team. 

• Develop and contribute to the organization of different public events (press conferences, campaigns, expositions, policy dialogues, summits, seminars, briefings, etc.) and ensure proper visibility for impact. 

• Work closely with Public Communications team counterparts in other delegations, Nairobi and Geneva, to develop an integrated and coherent approach to communications and activities across online and traditional channels. 

• Review and validate content with relevant delegations and teams ahead of publication. 

• Ensure the accurate, timely and effective delivery of contents, optimised for search and audience engagement, partnering with A/V producers, social media leads, web editors, and other relevant Communication officers in the Regional Communication Centres and delegations. 

        3. EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT

• Support the HoD/ Humanitarian Affairs Advisors in networking with relevant communication officers or public relations officers in organizations in the Addis Ababa multilateral and diplomatic circles; and represents the ICRC to relevant external audiences, with the aim of enhancing ICRC acceptance and promoting IHL and other legal norms and relevant topics.

• Based on the media monitoring insight, provide recommendations and analysis, to support the delegation external engagements through tailored communication tactics.

• Build up and maintain a network of contacts and working relationships with communication officers, journalists and influencers.

• Represents the ICRC in an appropriate way during activities, in meetings and in the field, documents and generates internal and external materials, avoids any activity that may reflect negatively on the ICRC’s image.

       4. PRINT PRODUCTION

• Lead the production of the delegation’s public communication materials, ICRC publications and promotional items, (posters, policy research, leaflets, newsletters, and other products).

• Work closely with the Regional Production Officer in Nairobi to ensure all publications and external products respect the ICRC Visual Identity and branding guidelines.

• Compile the Field Production Book (a consumption and production planning and budgeting tool).

• Order publications and promotional materials needed in the delegation.

        5. ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Attend the Weekly Regional Communication meeting, share updates from ADO with other delegations and collect key information on other delegations’ operations and communications to inform ADO’s external engagement strategy.

• Interprets and translates from and into the local language to support communication programmes when required.

• Document activities and events organized by the delegation. 

• Perform technical and administrative work (e.g. filing, stock management, event organization.

• Follow up on all work-related messages and correspondence with the relevant contacts and departments.

• Is aware of the delegation’s objectives and has a good knowledge of the priority thematic and legal files, Movement and other contacts relevant to the position

• Takes responsibility for their own professional learning and development.

Job Requirements

• University degree or equivalent in a relevant field such as communications, political science, international relations or journalism.

• Fluent level of English and Amharic (both written and oral), other local languages will be an asset.

• Computer skills (proficiency in MS Office); familiarity with digital communication tools.

• Minimum 3 years’ work experience in a field relevant to communication and/or prevention (preferably with an international organization).

• proven track records in communication. Candidates must be able to share samples of their work.

• Able to work efficiently with proven experience in managing communications activities and projects.

• Experience in an ICRC operation an asset.

• IHL knowledge an asset.

• Sound knowledge of the political, social and media environment in the country/region covered.

How To Apply

Applicants shall submit their electronic CVs and cover letter through the THIS LINK

Women applicants and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.

The ICRC has zero tolerance for fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment and discrimination. Therefore, ICRC Ethiopia will maintain the right to conduct background and reference checks on the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer to this position. All ICRC staff should uphold the standards of ICRC’s Code of Conduct.

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted at all stages of the selection process.

The ICRC values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates.

Application deadline: June 13, 2024