Communications Manager

Requisition ID: req46422

Job Title: Communications Manager

Sector: Communications

Employment Category: Regular

Employment Type: Full-Time

Open to Expatriates: No

Location: Hezreh, Idleb, Syria

Work Arrangement: In-person

Application Deadline: 13-Nov-2023

Job Description

Background/IRC Summary:

The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Today, 13.4 million people in Syria – more than half of the country’s population – are in need of humanitarian assistance with needs increasingly being exacerbated by economic decline. Of these, 6.8 million are refugees and asylum-seekers who have fled the country. This is no short-term humanitarian episode. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades. The destruction of relationships, communities, livelihoods, homes, and infrastructure will take years to repair.

IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 1000+ staff in Syria Country Program. IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, early childhood development, education, womens protection and empowerment, non-food items and food distribution, cash assistance, water and sanitation, protection and rule of law, and livelihood programming. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding and coordination.

Job Overview/Summary:

IRC Syria seeks an experienced professional for the position of Communications Manager (CM) to manage project-specific communications deliverables. The CM will ensure regular, timely, and high-quality communications content to showcase the projects/programs successes on our respective comms channels through a range of products including success stories, information and fact sheets, capability statements, press releases, social media posts, etc. The CM will report to Advocacy Coordinator and will work in close collaboration with IRCs technical teams in the field, the Regional Communications team, as well as communications colleagues working in partner organizations.

Responsibilities:

Collecting and packaging communications content:

• Working in close collaboration with IRC program teams, and partner organization staff where applicable, participate in the collection and production of high-quality communication materials including human interest stories, local press releases, talking points, photos, blogs, and videos ready to be submitted to the donor or used on the IRCs regional and global channels.
• Maintain a calendar of donor deliverables which is accessible to program and communications colleagues, and support in the collation and submission of products to the donor.
• Stay updated on all ongoing and upcoming project/program activities to anticipate and plan Comms opportunities.
• Upload interview transcripts, communications content, and consent forms to the IRCs internal content management systems.

Gathering, managing, and summarizing information related to need and impact:

• Working closely with program and MEAL teams to collect program information, updates on the impact of our work that can be shared with the donor and external audiences.
• Support information and briefing requests and lead on updating information materials such as fact sheets and monthly updates.
• Lead in the production of impactful infographics for reports and social media copy.
• Keep up to date on relevant reports, data, national news articles, and research on the situation of IRCs main client populations and social and political developments.

Ensuring compliance with Brand and Visibility Guidelines:

• Advise program colleagues on compliance with the IRC and donor branding and visibility guidelines on communications materials as needed.
• Coordinate sign off on branded items and products as necessary.
• Ensure that all products are harmonized with partners branding and marking strategy where applicable.

Managing assets, brand, and administration:

• Ensure adherence to communication policies, protocols, standards, and brand compliance.
• Train IRC and partner organization staff on communications as needed.
• Provide translation (English-Arabic and vice versa) as needed.
• Provide line and technical managers monthly summaries of work achieved.
• Provide line and technical managers monthly planning documents listing donor content to be collected and other known opportunities.

Media:

• As assigned, liaise with the regional media manager for emergencies and media-related opportunities in coordination with the Advocacy Coordinator and under the guidance/sign-off of the Country Director.
• Work closely with the Advocacy Coordinator, developing and managing relationships with national media; developing and maintaining strong in-country journalist networks.
• As relevant and possible, support/facilitate media visits at country level: In coordination with the regional senior media and communications manager, liaise with journalists and prepare field staff and beneficiaries for media visits.
• Maintain records of the organizations content production.

Qualifications

Required Experience/qualification/Skills:

• University degree, in journalism, media, communications, or relevant experience with at least 4 years of relevant job experience
• Previous experience working in an NGO in a similar role is a plus.
• Excellent storytelling and case studies writing skills (proficiency in written English is required)
• Ability to identify strong stories and adapt communication styles to different audiences.
• Ability to create infographics, and knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (esp. Final Cut, Illustrator, Photoshop and In Design) is highly desirable.
• Ability to take high quality, professional photos in various settings, and basic photo editing is desirable, as is the ability to produce and edit video for social media use.
• Experience in editing photography and film is considered a strong asset.
• Fluent (spoken and written) Arabic is highly desirable.
• Ability to build strong relationships and work independently and take initiative.
• High proficiency in handling varied, demanding and complex tasks.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• A commitment to IRCs mission, vision, values, and IRC Way Professional Code of Conduct.
• Credible written, presentation and verbal communication skills; ability to convey information effectively and solid experience providing training and staff development
• Validated sense of professional discretion, integrity, and ability to handle complex situations diplomatically and to effective resolution.
• Excellent management and interpersonal skills and a solid ability to promote harmonious/cohesive teamwork, in a cross-cultural context.
• Validated ability to plan long-term, organize priorities and work under administrative and programmatic pressures with detail orientation and professional patience.
• Highly collaborative and resourceful; ability to establish positive working relationships with senior level management and all other partners to maximize cooperation and productivity.
• Curiosity, a desire to continually learn and develop is a must.
• Analytical ability in creating effective solutions to complex matters while adhering to labor laws and internal policies.

Language/Travel:

• English and Arabic is required.
• Travel: 30% to field sites in NWS

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Reports to:  Advocacy Coordinator
• Position provides technical support to: IRC and partner staff (technical/programmatic staff)
• Key Internal Contacts: Technical Coordinators and Managers, Grants Manager, Regional Senior Communications Manager, Regional Senior Media and Communications Manager.
• Key External Contacts:  Other local and international actors

Professional Standards: IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and carries out policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Respect at Work Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a citizen of the Country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, the Middle East Region has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply. IRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff in our programs.

Accountability to Clients: IRC staff must adhere to the commitment of contributing to the sustainability and development of its (CR) Client Responsiveness Mechanisms, preserving the culture of prioritizing the needs of our clients and affected communities by systematically listening to their perspectives and using their feedback to make programmatic decisions and give them greater influence over program design and delivery.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Diversity and Inclusion: at IRC MENA, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Organizations that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, nationality, and perspective are validated to be better organizations. More importantly, creating a safe workspace environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best is the right thing to do. So, bring your whole self to work.

IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. In keeping with our core values of Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality, IRC strives to maintain a work environment built on mutual respect in which all individuals treat each other professionally, and free of bias, prejudice, and harassment. IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of IRC Persons in any work setting. All IRC staff, wherever they are located, are accountable for creating an environment free of discrimination, harassment, bullying, and retaliation.

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