The Movement Communications Advisor – Global role is situated within the Movement Communications team, part of the ICRC’s Global Communications division. This team provides strategic communication guidance and support to ensure that ICRC’s objectives align and are coordinated with the broader International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The position involves close collaboration with Movement components, including National Societies and the IFRC, and requires coordination across regions to deliver impactful communications. The role is based in Geneva and reports to the Head of Movement Communications, and provides support to Movement Communications Advisors in Africa, North Africa and Middle East and Eurasia, as well as the Communications Head of Sectors for Asia and the Americas.
Purpose
The Movement Communications Advisor is responsible for supporting the Head of Movement Communications in implementing global communication strategies and initiatives that strengthen the ICRC’s role and collaboration within the Movement. The role provides strategic advice to regional and global teams, leads the development of tools and resources to support Movement communications efforts, and ensures effective coordination with National Societies and the IFRC. This position plays a critical role in advancing the Movement’s strategic and operational objectives through communications while supporting crisis communications efforts and ensuring alignment with fundraising initiatives.
Relationships
• Internally, interacts with the communications team and broader MMP department, specifically the Movement and Resource Mobilization divisions. They also interact with regional teams and delegations, where there is not a Regional Movement Affairs Team set up. In addition, they interact with key departments as needed to support Movement efforts including protection, operations, etc. as needed.
• Externally, interacts with other members of the Movement (National Societies and IFRC) communication teams and other partners, as needed.
Head of Movement Communications
Accountabilities & Functional responsibilitiesStrategic Advice and Support (40%)
• Provides strategic advice and support to the Head of Movement Communications, ensuring Movement communication objectives are integrated into field, regional and HQ plans.
• Advise on Movement communications for the regions of Asia and the Americas and backfill for Movement Communications Advisors in other regions, as needed.
• Support Movement communications efforts globally, liaising with the Movement division to align communication with strategic and operational objectives.
• Collaborate with relevant colleagues from the Resource Mobilization division to align on strategies for engaging with the Movement around fundraising communications objectives, identifying synergies, and ensuring consistent messaging.
• Support the integration of Movement communications activities with fundraising efforts, fostering alignment between teams.
• Collaborate with the Campaign Manager to ensure campaigns involving the Movement are effectively planned an executed.
• Collaborate and support the advisors team on efforts with the Movement on harmful information, ensuring coordination, consistency, and creating synergies, where relevant.
• Leads on the Movement logo file for ICRC, collaborating closely with IFRC teams.
• Supports or leads as needed on events, meetings and Conferences related to the Movement communications file.
Development of Tools and Resources (25%)
• In consultation with the Head of Movement Communication and the Movement Communications Advisors. leads the development and implementation of global tools for Movement communications, including communications plans, templates, and protocols.
• Oversees the management and improvement of centralized systems (i.e. platforms for capturing Movement-wide information) to ensure accessibility and usability.
• Manage the Movement Communications Toolbox, ensuring materials are updated, gaps identified and addressed, and enhancing usability for delegations.
Partnership Development and Communications Support (20%)
• Build and maintain relationships with movement partners to ensure the ICRC’s communication approaches remain effective and aligned with Movement needs.
• Develop presentations and materials for Movement-related engagements, including meetings, events, and conferences.
• Support Movement partners in strengthening communication capacities in ICRC areas of focus by providing tools, resources, and guidance aligned with institutional priorities.
Movement Crisis Communication (15%)
• Supports and coordinates with Communications Head of Sectors and regional Movement Communications Advisors to support the wider Movement during crisis, and provides guidance and support to ensure consistent messaging and content – including acting as a liaison with Movement partners on harmful information approaches.
• Liaises with IFRC, as needed to ensure coordination during crisis.
• Strong understanding of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, its structure, mandates, and coordination mechanisms, with 2-3 years of experience working with a National Society, ICRC and/or IFRC.
• 3-5 years of experience in strategic communications, public relations, or a related field, preferably in an international organization.
• Proven experience supporting communications during crises, including developing strategies, coordinating, and writing messaging, and working with diverse stakeholders under time-sensitive conditions.
• Experience developing and managing communications tools, templates, and knowledge-sharing platforms to enhance organizational capacity and coordination.
• Strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships across a diverse range of stakeholders, both internally and externally.
• Demonstrated ability to oversee complex communications initiatives, including campaign planning, execution and evaluation, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
• Experience working in diverse, multicultural environments with the ability to consider different audiences and regions in outputs.
• Familiarity with digital communication platforms, content management systems, and social media strategies relevant to the humanitarian field.
• A degree in communications, journalism, international relations, political sciences, humanitarian affairs, or a related field.
• Additional training or certificates in crisis communications, humanitarian communications, etc. considered an asset.
• Fluency in English required; proficiency in French, German, Arabic or Spanish an asset.
• Location: Geneva
• Type of contract: Basic open-ended
• Type of assignment: 2-year assignment
• Activity rate: 100%
• Grade: C1
• Target starting date: ASAP
• Application deadline: Wednesday, 19 February 2025 (GENEVA TIME)
At the ICRC, we value impact, collaboration, respect, and compassion. We seek candidates who demonstrate behaviors based on these shared values. For more information on the ICRC values, please visit this page.