Overview
The Senior Communications Officer supports the implementation of global and regional communication strategies, fosters media relations and crisis communication in Russian-speaking countries, and provides communication and public relations support to National Societies and IFRC functions.
Key Responsibilities
- Foster media relations and crisis communication in Russian-speaking countries.
- Create press releases, talking points, media statements, reactive messaging and other written content in English and Russian language.
- Identify and pitch stories, spokespersons, and visuals to Russian-speaking media outlets.
- Build a network of journalists and act as the focal point for Russian-speaking media.
- Serve as a spokesperson on specific topics on behalf of the IFRC in Russian-speaking media outlets.
- Provide media expertise to position IFRC’s work and humanitarian priorities.
- Serve as a deployable media lead during large-scale emergencies.
- Scan for communications opportunities and risks.
- Support crisis communication activities.
- Track analytics of coverage and meet goals related to key performance indicators.
- Support content creation, dissemination and localization to and from Russian language.
- Support and advise the Head of Delegation in public-facing communication.
- Conduct field trips to gather stories, photos and audiovisual material.
- Support the rollout of global campaigns and provide guidance on the localization of campaigns.
- Coordinate the design and production of communications products.
- Provide broad communication support to Russian-speaking National Societies.
- Act as information sharing service for Russian speaking National Societies.
- Assist in the development and delivery of communications capacity building and training for National Societies.
- Identify and coordinate key communication needs with National Societies.
- Facilitate a peer network of National Societies communicators in the region.
Required Experience
Minimum 5 years of experience of working in public relations/communications or journalism. Experience working with the Red Cross and Red Crescent or other humanitarian organizations. Experience with media relations and acting as a spokesperson for an organization. Experience in capacity building, development and training.
Qualifications
Relevant university degree or equivalent preferably in communications, journalism, new media or a related field.
