Organization Description

The International Rescue Committee’s mission is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded over 90 years ago, the IRC is a leading humanitarian and development organization with presence in more than 40 countries. Across contexts, the IRC is committed to delivering innovative, high-impact programs tailored to the needs of communities affected by crisis.

The IRC has been working in Uganda since 1998 supporting refugees, vulnerable host communities, and various institutions in the country notably the government, community-based organizations, civil society, and the private sector. Currently, the IRC in Uganda has a presence across five sub-regions and six refugee settlements, implementing programming in the sectors of health, protection and rule of law (PRoL), women’s protection and empowerment (WPE), economic recovery and development (ERD), and education. IRC Uganda also implements cross-cutting programming focused on systems strengthening and accountability to affected persons.

Project Overview

The IRC is soon to begin implementing an Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kampala (EKN)-funded 4-year project ‘PROSPECT SRHR’ in the West Nile sub-region of Uganda to enable women, men, adolescents and youth to achieve their Sexual Health and Reproductive Rights.The PROSPECT SRHR project aims at improving the sexual reproductive health and social wellbeing of adolescents, youth, and women in West Nile by reducing maternal mortality, the number of teenage pregnancies, instances of SGBV and child marriages, and rates of new HIV infections. The project will be implemented in 6 districts with three cluster offices in Yumbe, Adjumani and Terego. The project will work in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and Sports, and the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social development, and district local governments as well as other development and implementing partners in the region.

Job Overview

Working closely with the Team Leader and the IRC Uganda Communications and Advocacy Coordinator, this position will lead the communication function for this project. This will include development and implementation of the project’s communications strategy inclusive of a PR plan; tracking and enforcing branding and marking guidelines including donor branding for all visibility items produced; development and production of communication products and content through documentation, photography, and videography and support in ideation and execution of quality project events including coordination of mainstream media engagement, if any. Additionally, the incumbent will be expected to work with the MEAL team to identify and document high quality stories of change, good practices and development of relevant data guided products such as project briefs, case studies, issue papers, reports, and reports, among other communication materials as needed which will be used by donors, IRC and project staff.

Major Responsibilities:

Communications Strategy and Leadership:

• Develop a communications strategy and lead all communications activities for the PROSPECT SRHR project, working closely with the IRC Communications and Advocacy Coordinator and consortium partner communications focal points
• Liaise with donor focal points as necessary to understand communications and visibility expectations and jointly agree key priorities for the communication strategy
• Work with the Project Management Committee (PMC) and Project Steering Committee (PSC) to identify communications opportunities and receive updates on program events and activities, both for the project and other IRC and partner initiatives that could be leveraged for the project.
• General management and coordination of communication activities identified for the project and other related areas of work

Publications and Communication Materials:

• Produce regular internal and external communications (e.g. bulletins) with updates on project achievements, events and activities.
• Create a range of project-specific publications, including newsletters, case studies, learning series, technical briefs and, and special reports, working closely with project teams to identify appropriate content. Submit finalized products to the Communications and Advocacy Coordinator and the Team Leader for necessary reviews and approvals.
• Generate stories/content for use in communications materials: set up a system for getting regular content from project staff; interview consortium staff, partners, clients, and other stakeholders;travel to the field on a regular basis to collect stories including audio-visual content.
• Research, draft, and update information related to the project such as impact, trends and achievements for use on the IRC Web page, social media and other communication channels.
• Lead the process of design and production of Information Education Communication (IEC), Social Behavioral Change and Communication (SBCC) and visibility materials such as banners, posters among others.
• Approve any publications produced by consortium partners.

Branding and Marking:

• Create a branding and marking plan, overseeing its effective implementation
• Create branding and visibility guidelines and ensure project teams are briefed on the guidelines, working closely with consortium partners to ensure use of the guidelines in their organizations
• Track and ensure proper utilization of the donor and project branding guidelines in all project communications and visibility materials, including materials produced by partners.
• Take the lead to ensure that allproject supported facilities, equipment, offices and vehicles are correctly branded and marked in line with donor requirements.

PR and Media Relations:

• Support the Team Leader to develop and implement an effective PR strategy and an annual PR plan which will be updated and monitored monthly.
• Work with the Team Leader to develop and implement a Crisis Management Strategy.
• Develop and implement PR campaigns to increase media coverage of the project and the IRC and consortium partners (e.g. success stories). Work with the IRC Communications and Advocacy Coordinator to organize media launches, briefings, interviews and press conferences.
• Draft and support project staff to write editorials/OpEds when needed to raise the profile of the PROSPECT SRHR project and key relevant issues that require public attention.

Events:

• Create a calendar of external events to be supported by the project and ensure appropriate representation and branding at these events
• Manage project specific events such as launch events, advocacy and learning events, special celebration days etc. including design and execution of the events, coordinating with all relevant contributors and participants.

Minimum Qualifications:

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field (communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, human rights etc.).
• A minimum of five years of experience in a related communications position, including experience of working on communications for a high-profile project.
• Experience in producing published material, managing events, media/PR, and digital communications including websites and social media platforms.
• Experience working in an international development / humanitarian organization preferred.
• Experience in working effectively with a range of staff, partners and stakeholders to achieve communications objectives and produce communications deliverables.

Demonstrated Skills and Proficiencies:

• Excellent writing skills (in English) are imperative to this position.
• Excellent interviewing skills and communication skills in speaking, transcribing, contacting and following up with project staff, clients, the donor, and other stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (English fluency required).
• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
• Highly organized self-starter with proven success prioritizing multiple tasks, making critical decisions, and delivering results in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.
• Possesses initiative, patience, tact, and able to work with minimum supervision.
• Able to work under pressure.
• Demonstrates adaptability and flexibility in all aspects of working.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and support others in their work.
• Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, internet etc. Applicants with photography and/or videography skills preferred. Experience with Adobe Creative Suite software is also a plus.

Gender Equality & Equal Opportunity

We are committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer generous benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances. We welcome and strongly encourage qualified female professionals to apply.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we value diversity in our organization. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request reasonable accommodation.

Professional Standards

IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

NB: This advert will close on 27^th November 2024.