Manager, Digital Communications and Content 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 Digital Communications and Content 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 Digital Communications and Content Unit will lead a dynamic team dedicated to shaping the organization’s online presence, enhancing its storytelling capabilities, and ensuring effective communication with global audiences. The Manager will lead the entire spectrum of corporate communications, from overseeing the drafting of flagship reports to setting up IFRC’s editorial and style guidelines.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Content Strategy and Coordination:
• Develop and implement a comprehensive and cohesive digital communications and content strategy for IFRC.
• Oversee the coordination with language editors (technical reporting line) based in regional offices to ensure content is relevant, accurate, and culturally sensitive across all four official IFRC languages.
• Stay abreast of digital emerging and innovative trends. Tailor digital communication efforts to ensure IFRC remains agile, responsive, and innovative, leading to increased engagement and interaction.

Corporate Communications:
• Oversee the drafting, editing, and publishing of major reports, promotional materials, speeches, and other materials ensuring consistency in messaging and branding.
• Take the lead in the drafting of institutional publications, including the Annual Report and the Global Plan.

Editorial Oversight:
• Ensure the reliability and timeliness of the Unit’s editorial function. Oversee the maintenance of the IFRC Style Guide to ensure consistency across all communications channels and across the organization.

Website Management:
• Develop and implement a comprehensive content strategy for IFRC Global website.
• Monitor performance metrics and conduct regular assessment to optimize audience engagement.
• Oversee the Senior Global Web Editor storytelling initiatives to enhance IFRC website’s storytelling capabilities and user experience, ensuring alignment with communications objectives and brand guidelines.
• Ensure that the website serves as a platform for sharing human-interest stories from the field to engage global audiences.

Audiovisual and Podcast Production:
• Lead all audiovisual production and distribution efforts; manage the relevant production and distribution tools.
• Ensure smooth production of the IFRC’s flagship podcast, “People in the Red Vest” and support collaboration with the Marketing and Advocacy Unit to promote the podcast and expand its reach.

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.
• 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 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, Digital
  Communications or related field.

Experience

Required

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in digital communications and website management, with at least 3 years in a managerial or leadership role.
• Experience in managing diverse teams, including dispersed global teams.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in audiovisual production.
• Proven track record in multilingual content creation and storytelling in an international environment.
• Experience developing editorial and style guidelines.
• Experience in managing digital communication projects.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Knowledge and Skills

Required

• Extensive knowledge of website management, audiovisual production, content management tools and promotional techniques.
• 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.
• Demonstrated knowledge in using digital tools and platforms.
• Demonstrated creative thinking.

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