Job Description

Job Title:  Communications Manager
Band / Level / Grade:  7B
Department: Policy, Advocacy and Communications
Location:  Aden, Yemen (with frequent travel to program sites)

BACKGROUND: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees fleeing from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home. 
The IRC responds to people’s acute and longer-term needs with integrated programs that improve health and safety, prioritize children’s education, foster economic wellbeing, and empower communities to regain control over their lives. Our work gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing humanitarian action, including questions of access, conflict sensitivity, coordination, and impact. 
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has been working in Yemen since 2012 and rapidly scaled up programming in 2015 to address greater humanitarian needs caused by the conflict, violence, food insecurity, and economic blockade through providing emergency aid, critical healthcare, economic empowerment, women’s protection and empowerment, and education programming. The IRC has a presence in ten governorates - Abyan, Aden, Al Dhale’e, Amanat Al Asimah, Hodeidah, Lahj, Sana’a, Shabwah, Marib and Al Mahrah. The IRC has been working in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) for more than forty years. Today, the IRC has more than 2,200 staff working across the region, including in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Syria, and Yemen to support those affected by some of the world’s most protracted humanitarian crises. 

JOB SUMMARY: IRC Yemen seeks an experienced professional for the position of Communications Manager (CM) to lead on the production and development of proactive and reactive communications across the program portfolio. The role will ensure regular, timely, and high-quality communications content to showcase the project’s/programs’ successes on our respective communications channels through a range of products including success stories, information and fact sheets, capability statements, press releases, social media posts, etc.

WORKING RELATIONS: Position Reports to: PAC Coordinator with a dotted line to the Regional Senior Communications and Media Manager; Position provides technical support to: IRC and partner staff (technical/programmatic staff); Other Internal and/or external contacts: Internal: Technical Coordinators and Managers, Grants Manager, Regional Content and Digital Specialist; External: Other local and international actors 

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Collecting and packaging communications content: 

• Working in close collaboration with IRC program teams and partners lead on the collection and production of high-quality communication materials including human interest stories, press releases, talking points, photos, blogs and videos.
• Identify and craft impactful stories from IRC Yemen’s programs, and lead on producing and delivering high-quality creative content. 
• Maintain a calendar of donor requirements which is accessible to program and communications colleagues, and support in the collation and timely 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 internal content management systems. 

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

• Work closely with program and MEAL teams to gather updates on the impact of our work that can be shared with donors and other external audiences. 
• Lead on the production of impactful infographics for reports and social media. 
• Keep up to date on relevant reports, data, national news articles, and research on the situation of IRC’s main client populations and social and political developments. 
• Produce communications content such as newsletters, snapshots, factsheets and sitreps. 
• Ensure timely dissemination of IRC Yemen content through IRC and other communications channels. 

Managing assets, brand, and administration: 

• Manage communications activity budgets across the portfolio in collaboration with grants unit. 
• Train IRC staff and partners on communications as needed. 
• Provide translation (English-Arabic and vice versa) as needed. 
• Support development of proposals for communications activities and budgets. 
• Review all publications and visibility materials to ensure that IRC branding and communication guidelines are uniformly and consistently followed. 
• Ensure IRC visibility in events/conferences/workshops as well as those of donors and partners when applicable, and provide media support (photography, videography, etc.). 

Media: 

• As assigned, support reactive and proactive media-related opportunities in coordination with relevant focal points. 
• Assist with developing and maintaining relationships with national media and developing and maintaining strong in-country journalist networks. 
• As relevant and possible, support/facilitate VIP and media visits at country level, liaise with journalists and prepare field staff and beneficiaries for media visits. 
• Maintain records of the organization’s content production and media coverage in Yemen. 

Social Behaviour Change: 

• Work with program teams, partners and other internal and external collaborators to design, develop and test communication materials to support social behaviour change programs. 
• Provide guidance and support content creation for traditional and digital media, aligned with program strategies. 

REQUIREMENTS: 

1.    Education: 

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (Communications, Journalism) or equivalent experience. 

2.    Experience: 

• At least 2-3 years of professional experience, including in crafting and delivering compelling communications materials.

3.    Skills and Abilities: 

• 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 (especially Premiere, Illustrator, Photoshop and In Design) and Final Cut (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 language skills are highly desirable. 

4.    Proficiencies: 

• Well organized with ability to work on several tasks in a fast-paced environment. 
• Ability to build strong relationships and work independently and take initiative. 
• High proficiency in handling varied, demanding and complex tasks. 
• Proven creativity, flexibility and ability to apply innovative thinking and problem-solving skills. 
• Culturally sensitive, able and interested in working with a diverse team. 
• Strong commitment to the IRC’s mission, purpose and values. 

Professional Standards 

The IRC and IRC workers adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and implements policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation 
IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, marital status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. 
IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients. 

Commitment to Client Responsiveness: By committing to Client-Centered Programming, at the IRC Yemen, we place the people we serve - our clients - at the center of our programming and services. The IRC Yemen Staff have an important role to play in supporting the implementation of client-responsive programming through raising awareness among the community and clients about the existing feedback mechanisms and how to use them including the response processes, access, and eligibility to services, and contribute to building an institutional culture that prompts staff to listen to clients.