The purpose of the CCST’s Communications Unit is to support the humanitarian mission of the IFRC by ensuring that the Red Cross in East Asia has a high public profile and a strong and respected brand. The Communications Unit is also responsible for developing and enhancing knowledge sharing within the IFRC in support of operational priorities and policy goals.

The Communications Unit operates as an integral service, as part of the IFRC CCST, and works in close collaboration with a small network of IFRC communicators at regional and country levels, as well as with counterparts in the IFRC’s Geneva Secretariat. The Senior Communications Officer reports to the Communications and Advocacy Manager in CCST Beijing.

The primary role of the Senior Communications Officer is to support the IFRC’s public communications and knowledge sharing efforts. Principle objectives are:

1. Enhancing Red Cross visibility and public image during times of disasters and other emergencies.
2. Supporting the operational priorities and policy goals of the IFRC CCST Beijing.
3. Building communications and knowledge sharing capacity across East Asia.

Key tasks and responsibilities

The position will be an IFRC national staff position that is fully integrated with the CCST Beijing, reporting to Regional Communications and Advocacy Manager.

Overall objectives of this position:

• Support the Regional Communications Delegate and Zone Communications Manager across the full range of communications activities in the East Asia Region and work in close coordination with the respective units of the CCST Beijing.
• Stand in for the Regional Communications Delegate and Zone Communications Manager during periods of absence or deployment elsewhere, providing information, develop relevant publicity material and social media messages, as required, and engaging with media requests.
• Play a key role in developing publicity materials that profiles and positions the IFRC activities in East Asia, and organize events as required to publicize Red Cross Red Crescent work.

Specific tasks include, but are not limited to:

• INTERNAL
  • Maintain and expand the landing page of CCST on the Movement-wide platform, intranet.
  • Systematically monitor the Unit’s process in supporting the CCST’s annual operational plan.
• CONTENT CREATION:
  • Support Regional Communications Delegate and Zone Communications Manager in collecting and drafting humanitarian content for web stories, press releases, social media and publicity materials on Red Cross Red Crescent projects and activities.
  • Draft web stories, press releases, and publicity materials as requested by Regional Communications Delegate and Zone Communications Manager update IFRC Weibo, WeChat and work on ways of increasing its digital footprint.
  • Proactively liaise with other departments in the CSST and National Societies in East Asia to create content on projects and activities
  • Assist in producing and gathering photographs with proper captions and uploading and distributing to media and Red Cross Red Crescent outlets as required.
  • Shoot /produce video materials and edit for distribution as required.
• EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
  • Produce and push out content to IFRC websites in KL and GVA, and media outlets.
  • Layout and distribute CCST Newsletter to relevant audiences, while updating send list regularly.
  • Manage and increase the CCST presence on social media platforms and online engagement.
  • Maintain and expand contacts list of international and local media.
• EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
  • Demonstrate a willingness to take part in field visits to Red Cross Red Crescent projects and activities in China and elsewhere in East Asia as required.

Duties applicable to all staff

1. Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’s goals
2. Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles
3. Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager

Position Requirements

• Bachelor degree, Professional Degree in Art/Design/Creative Multimedia or Equivalent
  Experience
• Minimum five years of relevant working in communications, knowledge, journalism
• Demonstrated experience in research, writing and public communications
• Web management or equivalent relevant experience
• Demonstrated experience in publications production and graphics design
• Experience of networking and communicating with different stakeholders such as governments, media outlets, UN, NGOs and other organizations
• Demonstrated experience in programme and office administration
• Experience from within the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement or other humanitarian or developmental organization
• Excellent professional communications skills, both written and verbal
• Very good knowledge and understanding of communications and knowledge sharing processes
• Knowledge of policies and procedures of the IFRC
• Technical skills in content management systems as Newsletters and social media
• Comfortable working and communicating in a diverse environment
• Excellent interpersonal skills and team player
• Fluent in English;
• Proficiency in Mandarin Chinese

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