Adviser on addressing Harmful Information

What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide protection and humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and, at the same time, promote respect for international humanitarian law. We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.

Purpose

The  Adviser on addressing harmful information is an expert, aimed at supporting delegations of the Near and Middle East preparing for and dealing with operational and reputational challenges. The role holder helps delegations and HQ manage harmful narratives such as misinformation, disinformation and hate speech, and supports delegations and units to put in place proactive and reactive strategies to tackle them. The scope of work encompasses both strategic advice and hands-on solutions which might take the form of communications products, implementation of methodologies, or external engagement.

Main duties and responsibilities

Help delegations across NAME to better grapple with harmful narratives by:

• Training colleagues on harmful information, its humanitarian consequences and on responding to it, both by facilitating the existing institutional training and by creating and delivering shorter needs-based trainings;
• Building a network of experts and influencers to develop knowledge and share best practices, swap experiences and learn from each other, including capturing and disseminating case studies and guidance documents;
• Providing tactical support to delegations to tackle harmful information, including improving media monitoring and social listening set-ups, drafting/executing relevant online and offline communication strategies to engage communities and provide them with factual, actionable content to shift narratives;
• In close coordination with colleagues across teams, supporting the creation of effective detection and analysis of harmful narratives both online and offline;
• Assessing the level of harm of nefarious narratives as well as their sources and the methods used to spread them, identifying and developing responses and implementation methodologies both online and offline;
• In close coordination with a team of experienced communicators, supporting the production of prebunking and debunking content for ICRC platforms;
• Ensuring alignment between external and internal harmful information strategies and plans for a unified response to harmful information both internally and externally;
• Sensitizing, training and equipping ICRC colleagues in the region and delegations about harmful information and their responsibilities under the CoC and the use of social media guidelines, and equip with the information and communication skills to be ICRC ambassadors;
• Liaising with HQ to inform strategies as well as institutional tools and methodologies using case studies and experience from the field;
• Ensuring that HQ and Middle East/Arabic-speaking delegations in Africa receive regular and timely reports on ICRC's visibility and perception in the Arab media and on social media networks. 

Required profile, education background and experience

• University degree or equivalent (preferably master’s level) in communications/ journalism or any relevant field.
• 8-10 years of relevant professional experience in communication with significant experience on harmful narratives, such as working for a fact-checking organization or political risk analysis firm.
• Deep understanding of the information disorder and working experience in designing and implementing policies and strategies to respond to harfmul information.
• Experience in developing various communication products (print and online). Knowledge of a broad range of communication/staff engagement techniques and tools (PowerPoint, infographics, video clips, podcast, print production, social media).
• Comfortable with providing training and coaching support to diverse groups of people.
• Thorough understanding of social media algorithms and their manipulation, and are familiar with, and comfortable using, monitoring, verification and reporting tools.
• Experience in drafting policies and documents into simple and concise key messages tailored to a variety of external audiences.
• Humanitarian field experience, particularly with the ICRC and Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is an asset.
• Proficiency in English and Arabic. French is an asset.
• Computer skills (proficiency in MS Office and other software).
• Project management experience.

Relationships

• Internally, interacts with a range of stakeholders across the core regional Communications team, delegations in the regions (management, métiers file holders, communication staff) and HQ.
• Externally, participates in the development of a network of harmful information experts and influencers.

Our operational & field constraints

• In line with the principle of neutrality, the ICRC does not assign personnel to a country of which they are nationals.
• Candidates must be in good health and will have to do a medical check-up prior to departure in the field.
• Candidates must possess a driving license (for manual transmission vehicles).

What we offer

• Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment with attractive salary and social benefits.
• Institutional onboarding program and opportunities for further in-house training.
• Opportunity to join an ICRC talent pool and be considered for future assignments elsewhere.

Additional information

• Type of role:  Mobile
• Working rate: 100%
• Starting date: September 2024
• Location: Cairo
• Hardship : H0 : family posting and full amenities
• Job level: C1 position
• Length of assignment: 18 months
• Type of Contract: Fixed-term 
• Application deadline: 28th July 2024

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

Our Values

• At the ICRC, we value impact, collaboration, respect, and compassion. We seek candidates who demonstrate behaviors based on these shared values. For more information on the ICRC values, please visit this page.