Manager, Strategic Communications and Internal Engagement Unit

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and 
promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs 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.” IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. 

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 IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. 

IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.

The IFRC Communications Department is part of the Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization Division, which is composed of four teams: (i) Strategic Communications and Internal Engagement Unit; (ii) Digital Communications and Content Unit; (iii) Marketing and Advocacy Unit; and (iv) Media Relations and Crisis Communications Team. The Manager of the Strategic Communications and Internal Engagement Unit reports directly to the Director of the Communications Department and collaborates with Managers and Leads across the global communications team, including in Geneva, at regional and representative offices of the IFRC.

Job Purpose

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Director of the IFRC Communications Department, the Manager of the Strategic Communications and Internal Engagement Unit will lead a team of dedicated professionals focused on developing and managing the organization's strategic communications planning, its approach to dealing with mis- and disinformation, internal engagement, and monitoring and evaluation of communications efforts. This role is also instrumental in coordinating capacity building in communications across IFRC and National Societies, and coordination with ICRC and other partners in the humanitarian field.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Coordination:
• Lead the development and implementation of IFRC-wide communications strategies, communications planning calendars, SOPs, and guidelines in coordination with other unit managers.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to adjust communication plans during crisis situations and prioritize critical communication opportunities.
• Build relationships with key stakeholders across the movement and provide guidance and strategic internal communications advice at all levels globally, ensuring messaging is aligned with the organisation’s values and culture.

Capacity Building and Surge Recruitment:
• Lead on development and coordination of communications capacity building initiatives across IFRC and National Societies.
• Lead the revision of emergency communications surge activities and maintain emergency communications surge roster.
• Oversee surge recruitment processes and deployment within the communications department, ensuring the acquisition of skilled and diverse talent.

Monitoring and Evaluation:
• Lead the enhanced communications monitoring and evaluation function, including media monitoring and social media listening, to inform evidence-based decision-making.
• Oversee analysis of communication metrics, media coverage, and public sentiment to identify trends, measure impact, and refine communication strategies.

Internal Communications:
• Manage the dedicated internal communications function to foster effective information sharing and collaboration among IFRC staff members globally.
• Ensure alignment with the Secretary General's Agenda for Renewal and promote organizational cohesion at all levels.

Stakeholder Engagement:
• Facilitate regular communication, coordination, and collaboration with National Societies and the ICRC.
• Manage communication platforms such as Slack and OurIFRC, as well as subscriptions and usage of monitoring and evaluation tools, and others as needed.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Team Leadership and Coordination:
• Lead and manage a team of professionals ensuring effective collaboration, coordination, and alignment with organizational goals and priorities.
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and support to team members for professional growth and development.
• Provide regular guidance and oversight to field-based staff members and ensure their integration into the team and alignment with Unit goals.
• Lead and manage a team of seven professionals, ensuring effective collaboration, coordination, and alignment with organizational goals and priorities.
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and support to team members for professional growth and development.
• Foster teamwork and communication among staff in the unit, and across the global communications team.
• Undertake or oversee the programmatic and/or administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the unit, recruitment of staff and evaluation of staff performance.
• Be a role model in inspiring, leading and managing a productive, positive and high-performing team. 
• Be accountable to the director on delivering results, serve as a proactive strategic adviser and be a dynamic 
and engaged member of the department`s management team.
• Define clear roles, accountabilities and activities, and assign them across the team members on an ongoing basis while improving efficiencies within available resources.
• Plan, manage and monitor the use of available resources (people, budgets, etc.) of the team in order to deliver the agreed activities for areas of responsibility and ensure business continuity over irregular hours where needed.
• Work effectively in a matrixed, multilevel global organization actively working to break down silos and address disconnects.
• Ensure effective coordination and engagement across departments, regional and field offices, facilitate partnerships with members and active exchange with peers, partners and stakeholders. 
• Foster a culture of results, accountability, proactivity, innovation, quality and integrity.
• Create a working environment that ensures staff growth, motivation and satisfaction

Education

Required

• Advanced University degree in Communications, Public Relations, International 
  Relations, or related field

Experience

Required

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in strategic communications, with at least 3 years in a managerial or leadership role.
• Experience in managing diverse teams, including staff located in multiple regions and time zones.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in media and social media monitoring and evaluation.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in internal communications and staff engagement.
• Proven track record in developing and implementing communications strategies and overseeing a strategic planning function in a complex organizational setting.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and metrics to inform decisionmaking.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Knowledge and Skills 

Required

• Strategic thinker with institutional awareness and understanding of the humanitarian field.
• Results oriented, demand driven and entrepreneurial individual.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to lead within a matrix management structure and utilise talent and experience of team members in ap productive way.
• Outstanding networking and communication skills, an ability to be proactive and 
  persuasive.
• Demonstrated track record in innovating, contributing to a learning culture, sharing knowledge and new approaches to engaging partners.
• Ability to work in a multicultural, multilingual and multidisciplinary environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.

Languages

Required 

• Fluent spoken and written English

Preferred

• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)

Competencies, Values and Comments

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability.
Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust.
Functional competencies: Strategic orientation; Building alliances; Leadership; Empowering others.
Managerial competencies: Managing staff performance, Managing staff development.