Officer, Community Engagement and Accountability International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies – IFRC

Job description
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 Harare Cluster Office based in Zimbabwe (Harare) covers 3 countries (Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe).

Job Purpose
The CEA Officer deploys in response to disasters (including disease outbreaks) and crises around the globe as part of IFRC Emergency response. The CEA Officer will work in collaboration with other Movement Partners, delegates, national staff and volunteers, local health authorities and affected communities as part of a team within the mandate of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The position will provide strategic and technical advice and training to build the capacity of NS and the IFRC to integrate a more systematic approach to CEA throughout the programme and disaster cycle. This will include supporting and promoting the use of innovative approaches to information sharing, community participation and feedback, behaviour and social change communication and evidence-based advocacy.

Job Duties And Responsibilities

Gathering and disseminating accurate and timely information on the situation to IFRC communications team and National Societies. Sharing any communications material created with the IFRC communications team for wider distribution and use among the Red Cross Red Crescent communications network.
Supporting the gathering and development of relevant, compelling and timely communications content and messages, that can be packaged and distributed by IFRC global communications teams in the region and Geneva for various audiences and channels.
Working with the host National Society, staying abreast of critical developments, monitoring local media and social media, and using content generated by community engagement activities, such as feedback/concerns from affected communities.
Coordinating communications support for high-level visits, as well as media related requests and visits from partner National Societies
Ensuring strong visibility in local and international media through proactive media engagement, pitching story ideas about Red Cross and Red Crescent operations, coordinating media events and requests, as well as arranging visits to field operations, handling international media interviews when required, identifying spokespeople in country and sharing their information with media, and ensuring the availability of well-briefed spokespeople.
Producing materials for media and external audiences and supporting in country officials (National Society and IFRC) in their media engagements.
Together with the IFRC regional and Geneva communications team, ensuring strong social media engagement by proposing, gathering and sharing engaging content for IFRC and National Society channels, tracking trends and rumours, and supporting host National Society in responding to audience engagement with social media.
Developing social media content and guidance to support social media engagement by IFRC and National Society staff in country.
Supporting host National Society in planning and implementing communications strategies that are targeted and relevant on multiple channels, to help meet its fundraising objectives and position it as an effective, trusted and credible humanitarian actor in the response.
Providing communications advice and support for major milestones throughout the operation using diverse people centred content.
Anticipating, identifying and flagging potential reputational issues, and work with regional and Geneva communications to adopt and implement appropriate response.
development organisations, within the context of developing countries
Experience setting up and managing tools for communicating with communities. For example, radio programmes, TV shows, SMS systems, community committees, social mobilisation or mobile cinemas and community dramas etc
Proven experience in planning targeted and appropriate behaviour change communication strategies
Experience setting up and managing accountability to community systems. For example, feedback and complaints mechanisms, rumour tracking systems, or participatory planning processes.
Experience of coaching, training and developing local staff and volunteers in order to build long-term capacity and create ownership.
Experience of planning and delivering community engagement interventions in emergency situations.
Experience of designing and implementing assessments, community consultations, research and/or focus groups discussions.
Experience working with Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies
Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Good planning skills, with the ability to identify areas for improvements in programmes, operations and NS/IFRC ways of working through the integration of CEA approaches and activities.
Good coordination and negotiation skills, with the capacity to build partnerships with internal and external organisations and bring people together to collaborate on CEA approaches and activities.
Excellent interpersonal, communication and networking skills, able to build relationships with people at all levels of the organisation across multiple countries and cultures, both in person and remotely, to build commitment and support for CEA.
Excellent project management skills, able to work under pressure and manage multiple projects simultaneously, to a high standard and to deadline.
Advanced analytical skills, able to capture learning and use it to make improvements in programming and operations.
Highly motivated, self-starter able to take initiative and lead a team or process.
Good knowledge of Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.
Good knowledge of gender and diversity issues in humanitarian programming.
Fluently spoken and written English