Communications Manager job at International Rescue Committee

About the Organization

The International Rescue Committee is a global humanitarian aid, relief, and development nongovernmental organization.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. The International Rescue Committee provides vital support to Ugandans who are rebuilding from decades of war while hosting a growing influx of refugees from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee (www.rescue.org) is a world leader in relief, rehabilitation and post-conflict development services for those uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression. The IRC is currently working in over 40 countries around the world, addressing both the immediate and lifesaving needs of conflict affected people in emergencies and the reconstruction needs of post-conflict societies.

The IRC began programming in northern Uganda in 1998 in response to mass displacement and devastation wrought by rebel group, the Lord’s Resistance Army. In 2002, the IRC expanded to the remote, conflict-affected region of Karamoja and in 2011, began working with refugees in Kampala. Monitoring the influx of South Sudanese refugees at the end of 2015, the IRC began scaling up its response to refugees arriving in the West Nile region. By promoting durable solutions that deliver on the interdependent aims of saving lives, strengthening institutions, and supporting social cohesion, the IRC in Uganda is laying the building blocks for long-term stability and development –bringing people from harm to home. The IRC currently works in 9 districts in Uganda, including Kitgum, Lamwo, Kyegegwa, Moroto, Amudat, Yumbe, Arua, Kasese and Kampala.

Job Description

This role is currently open to IRC employees only.
The IRC seeks a Communications Manager who will support country program teams in Nairobi, Kenya and Kampala, Uganda in the implementation of the IKEA Foundation funded Re:Build Program. The Re:Build is a five year 30 million Euro program that aims to support urban refugee and host communities in Kampala and Nairobi to achieve economic self-reliance through supporting (1) Access to sustainable livelihoods and (2) Ensuring that strong markets and effective and responsive city services are accessible to all. The Communications Manager will report to the Public Engagement and Advocacy Coordinator and support in conceptualizing, planning and implementation the program’s internal and external communications. He or she will ensure that the program’s messaging is consistent and engaging. The Communications Manager will prepare detailed media reports, press releases, and other publicity materials for the program.

Duties and Responsibilities

Technical Support and Coordination:

Developing and implementing communications strategies and work-plans, campaigns, events, and other initiatives in support of the program activities
Researching, preparing fact-checking, editing, and producing professional media and communications materials for various audiences and ensuring their timely dissemination and amplification via IRC and non-IRC communications channels at country level and, where appropriate, globally.
Developing news-worthy messages, organizing press events, handling interviews requests, and providing responses to requests from media relating to Re: Build and its work.
Drafting talking points and messages for the Office, and for sharing with communicators at regional level
Creating high quality media and multimedia content for dissemination in country, and via Re: Build platforms.
Maintaining through year-round professional interaction strong media relations for Re: Build, ensuring that media (and other important external stakeholders, such as governments, Private Sector, NGOs etc.) have strong awareness of refugee issues and are briefed regularly on upcoming news initiatives

Maintaining a prominent position in the news and for advocacy. This includes by initiating and drafting briefing notes, preparing press releases, fact sheets, press lines and guidance notes, social media outputs, etc.
Maintaining up to date specialist knowledge of matters pertaining to the region communication trends and issue.
Maintain an up-to-date database of journalists and media organizations, respond to media enquiries and build dialogue with individual journalists, editors, and news desks.
Prepare and manage the organization’s communication budget.
Ensure photos and videos for external use globally are captured with consent and shared following the IRC’s Content process.
Liase with the IRC’s HQ creative and content team to share photos and videos based on the requirements for the global content library.
Coordinate with Global Communications Officer and Partner Manager to ensure partner communications requirements are met.

Management:

Provide day to day management of staff within the Re:Build communication team
Contribute to the development of program staff in Uganda and Kenya through training and mentoring on Communication related issues.
Introduce quality assurance initiatives to address efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance concerns.

Qualification, Experiences and Competencies

Education: Degree in Communications, Political Sciences, Public Information, International Relations, or a related field. Master’s degree would be an added advantage
Minimum 4 years of relevant experience working in media, journalism, advocacy, communications and marketing.
Very good technical affinity for media contexts including knowledge of a wide range of multimedia, web, and digital tools.
Outstanding newswriting and editing skills and social media skills.