Consultant, Communication and Advocacy Support to IFRC Disaster and Crisis department

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” The IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of the IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. IFRC also has country cluster delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian network. Our secretariat supports local Red Cross and Red Crescent action in more than 191 countries, bringing together more than 16 million volunteers for the good of humanity.

The IFRC acts before, during and after disasters and crisis emergencies to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people. We are an international membership organization that unites 191 Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and supports them through a global secretariat. We are present in virtually every community on earth. We reach 160 million people every year through long-term services, development programs and disaster response. And we work to improve global humanitarian standards and persuade leaders to act in the interests of vulnerable people.

Our strength lies in our volunteer network, our unparalleled community-based expertise and our independence and neutrality. We are committed to saving lives and changing minds. And we are guided by Strategy 2030—our collective plan of action to tackle the major humanitarian and development challenges of this decade. Through our work we enable healthy and safe communities, reduce vulnerabilities, improve people’s resilience and promote peace around the world. Also, The Federation provides technical guidance and institutional support to National Societies to implement global, regional or local initiatives according to the Red Cross Red Crescent Fundamental principles and 2030 Strategy.

Job Purpose

There is a need to develop tailor made communication content for internal and external audiences using a variety of communication channels and materials, taking advantage of communication opportunities on relevant dates during 2025.

The role of the communication consultant supporting the different teams, as described below, is the design and implementation of communication and advocacy strategies, including the development of communication content (stories, articles, videos, interviews, newsletters, etc.), to be used as communication products and advocacy materials for the different stakeholders and channels to reach the target audiences.

A key task for the consultant will be to coordinate with the IFRC global communications team, to get advice and support to disseminate the content developed in the IFRC communication channels.

Alignment to the IFRC’s objectives and strategy

The IFRC is actively engaged in and a strong advocate of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015 – 2030), endorsed by world leaders in 2015. In December 2019, the Federation adopted a new Disaster Risk Management policy, which includes a commitment to strengthen organisational preparedness.

IFRC Strategy 2030

“We will enhance local response and preparedness capacities alongside complementary international support mechanisms, so that our network will respond effectively to any emergency.”

Job Duties and Responsibilities

National Society Preparedness

The main objective of the NS Preparedness Communication and Advocacy plan is to ensure visibility and understanding of NS Preparedness and Preparedness for Effective Response (PER) Approach, and raise awareness of the need to be prepared to respond effectively in emergency operations during crises and disasters, among our target audience.

• NS Preparedness Newsletter: developing content, articles and news about activities, events and resources, giving space and voice to National Societies
• Social media content: share/produce consistent and attractive content for social media; increase active members.
• Internal communication: Develop communication content for Our IFRC (internal platform)
• Preparedness Voices: develop video interviews from National Societies and IFRC.
• Communication plan constant update and indicators reporting.
• Coordination with Red Cross Red Crescent Reference Centres and external partners for cross-publication and alignment.
• Updating and development of key messages on preparedness linked to the big agenda / topics.
• Coordinate with the IFRC global communications team, to get advice and support to disseminate the communication content developed.

Global Shelter Cluster

The objective is to provide support to ensure strong internal visibility and understanding of IFRC shelter cluster leadership role and mandate, the added value it brings to the Secretariat and the membership, and the opportunities for National Societies and IFRC to capitalize on this leadership role to influence the humanitarian space and diplomacy.

• Review, update and implementation of the communications and advocacy strategy to support strong internal visibility and understanding of IFRC Shelter Cluster leadership role and mandate, and the added value it brings to the IFRC network.
• Identification of target audiences and communication channels and development of content for internal and external platforms (IFRC website, internal platform OurIFRC, etc.), in collaboration with the IFRC Global Communication team.
• Developing of news, videos stories and articles content to increase the visibility and understanding of IFRC shelter cluster leadership role and mandate.

Communication activities / content to develop to improve institutional understanding of protracted crises and complex emergencies (PCCEs)

Prioritizing this topic is an arduous task that needs to be promoted internally and externally. Advocacy and communication play a key role in promoting the need to tackle protracted crises more effectively.

• Development of a communication and advocacy strategy to raise awareness of the need to increase our capacity to respond to protracted crises and complex emergencies and ultimately better serve vulnerable communities around the world.
• Development of communication materials for different channels, tailored to target audiences to build and reinforce the need to adapt approaches and tools to tackle protracted crises more effectively: presentations for key meetings, stakeholders and donors, talking points, framework, guidelines, stories and articles

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

• Support in the design and development of communication content for a specific web site about Protracted Crisis.

Operations coordination

• Capitalization of a 1 year of MOT roll out: support in the preparation of some communication materials (starting with a two-pager document to promote the work done so far).
• Identification of adapted/tailored content as per different target audiences, including recommendations on channels to use and coordination with the Global Communication team to disseminate communication content.
• Ops Leadership: support in the preparation of some communication materials (2 pagers marketing document to be shared with different audiences

Surge Capacity

• Development and implementation of a communication and advocacy strategy appropriate to the detected needs.
• Prepare video scripts, interviews, etc., about the surge tools for general awareness of RCRC members.
• Work on several communication products about learning, dissemination of SOPs, 1 pager documents for different audiences (Surge for readiness, Surge Ready Tool, ERU Optimization, etc)
• Support in the development and implementation of Surge Awareness campaign to reach target audiences.

Timeframe

The consultancy will be for up to 100 days between 15 January 2025 to 31 January 2026, with a possibility to extend for a longer period.

Estimated time allocation

Management of consultancy

The consultant will be managed by the IFRC National Society Preparedness Senior Officer in coordination with other IFRC teams, and with those responsible for the other areas described above (Global Shelter Cluster, Operations Coordination, Protracted crisis, surge capacity etc.)

Should travel be required, travel expenses will be reimbursed at cost by the IFRC’s relevant regulations.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required

• Fluently spoken and written English.

Preferred

• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic).

Competencies, Values and Comments

Application Instruction

Please submit your application in English only.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.