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. 

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

The IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into four main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Coordination, (ii) Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization, (iii) Management and Accountability and (iv) People and Strategy.

The 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.

The 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. 

IFRC's Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia works in support of 53 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Through its Country Cluster Support Teams and Country Offices, it provides coordination, financial and technical support for disaster operations and longer-term development programmes throughout the region. Our work focuses on disasters, climate, and crises (including migration); health and care; National Society development; and inclusion, protection, and engagement. 

This role is part of IFRC's Global Communications Team, based in the Humanitarian Diplomacy, Regional Liaison and Communications Unit for Europe and Central Asia. This position contributes to IFRC's efforts to enable effective local humanitarian response by National Societies and the IFRC, through strengthened engagement and greater influence on decisions and behavior.

Under the supervision of the Regional Communications Coordinator, and in cooperation with the regional and global Communications team, the Senior Communications Officer will support other communications efforts in the Europe and Central Asia region such as content production, campaigns, advocacy and digital partnerships, and emergency communications. It involves travel as required to the countries where IFRC is operating, including emergency contexts.

Enhance the IFRC’s presence across digital and social media platforms

• Create compelling assets across IFRC social media platforms.
• Monitor social media trends and identifyopportunities for positioning National Societies and IFRC.
• Coordinate collaborations and explore new partnerships with digital platforms, using these partnerships to enhance IFRC and National Societies’ digital strategies.
• Develop and implement digital and advocacy campaigns and other joint initiatives with IFRC global team and National Societies.
• Identify opportunities to position leadership in the digital landscape, produce and share content for leadership channels.
• Collect, produce and manage audiovisual content from the field, edit photos and videos.
• Design communication assets in line with the IFRC visual identity and oversee the work of external graphic designers and other service providers. Track coverage analytics and meet goals related to key performance indicators.

Utilize the power of the IFRC network to improve communications across the region

• Collaborate with National Societies to support the IFRC and the broader network – this includes mobilizing communications experts in the Network in developing tools, resources, and products for core humanitarian priorities in the region: health, migration, and disaster preparedness and response.
• Design, develop and implement customized tools, learning and training materials for social media capacity development.
• Identify and coordinate key communication needs with National Societies and connect with others that may be able to support.
• Establishopportunities to increase the quality of internal communication activities within IFRC and with the membership in the region.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of communications capacity building and training for National Societies together with other units.
• Support IFRC’s crisis communications management when needed.

Support IFRC emergency preparedness and response

• Bolster emergency communications efforts of the IFRC, for example by collecting content, going on field missions, engaging media, producing key messages and updating partners.
• Provide media expertise to position IFRC’s work and humanitarian priorities across Europe and globally ensuring visibility in emergency settings.
• Identify and pitch stories, spokespersons, and visuals to global and regional media outlets to boost the visibility of humanitarian work across Europe and Central Asia.
• Serve as a deployable media lead during large-scale emergencies—stepping in to manage media, messaging, and general crisis communication as needed.
• Handle incoming media inquiries as required, communicate information to media and manage media interviews related to IFRC’s work.
• Help maintain and develop IFRC’s toolkit of emergency communications resources for National Societies.

Carry out other communication-related tasks as needed.

Required:

Degree in communications, media studies, marketing or similar

Required:

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in communications, marketing, social media management or similar
• Experience in managing social media campaigns and content development

Preferred:

• Experience working with the Red Cross and Red Crescent or other humanitarian organizations
• Experience in capacity building, development and training

Required:

• Comfortable in fast-moving, high-pressure environments, including emergency response.
• Brings people together across a diverse communications network to mobilize campaigns and key moments.
• Spots opportunities, takes initiative, and contributes strong, practical ideas.
• Works well across cultures and stays connected to digital and sector trends.
• Fluently spoken and written English

Preferred:

• Visual and graphic design skills, using Canva or Adobe software
• Photo and video production skills
• Good command of another European language

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