Coordinator, Communications

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. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies 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.

The 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.  

The 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. 

The IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas.  The 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. 

In February 2022, a new phase in the armed conflict in Ukraine started. The intensification and spread of hostilities have affected all of Ukraine, causing massive humanitarian needs across all sectors and destroying essential civilian infrastructure. IFRC has launched a major Emergency Appeal for Ukraine and Impacted Countries that is coordinated on European regional level – with numerous country level operations ongoing. ICRC, IFRC and numerous Partner National Societies are integrating their capacities to provide coordinated crisis response in Ukraine and impacted countries. The operational structure will be fully integrated into existing structures at Country / Country Cluster and Regional Office level to ensure full synergies with the overall regional work. 

The Country Delegation for Ukraine provides coordination, management, and technical support to Ukraine Red Cross and partner National Societies.

The IFRC humanitarian diplomacy (HD) and communications unit strategy in Europe and Central Asia focuses on four main outcomes:

1. Leveraging the strength of the IFRC network
2. Influencing through data and local voices
3. Building one message, many messengers
4. Strengthening the capacity in before, during and after crises

The position is based in Kyiv, Ukraine, with a large focus on the Ukraine and Impacted Countries operation.

The Senior Communications officer will lead communications and media activities for IFRC in Ukraine, in close coordination with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society and other Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement partners. It will support IFRC efforts aiming at influencing policy and practice for better humanitarian outcomes.  The role will be responsible for managing and coordinating communications resources on the ground together with Ukrainian Red Cross and other National Societies in and out of the country, overseeing quality communications approaches that highlight the humanitarian situation, needs on the ground and the broader network’s operations. They will support the Ukrainian Red Cross in key priority areas of capacity-strengthening and cooperation among the Movement partners in country. 

The Communications coordinator will be responsible for the following areas:

Lead strategic communications and reputational risk management in Ukraine for the IFRC and coordinate across the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

• Coordinating communications effort for the network on issues related to Ukraine. Maintaining regular information-sharing and close cooperation with Movement components in country as well as the broader humanitarian sector, representing IFRC in communications working groups.
• Developing close relationships with the Ukrainian Red Cross communications team, supporting them in their communications activities and any capacity-building needs, as well as ensuring that their content is available to be amplified across IFRC and National Society channels.
• Providing strategic communications advice to leadership in the IFRC Ukraine delegation in support of their public and advocacy efforts, including engagements with external stakeholders, including government entities, diplomatic institutions, among others.
• Leverage data-based initiatives to identify opportunities for communications and humanitarian diplomacy by the IFRC network
• Participate in scenario planning and preparedness efforts for potential crises in Ukraine and across Europe, integrating communications, media, and humanitarian diplomacy considerations.
• Drive data-informed pieces by identifying trends and opportunities for humanitarian diplomacy and targeted advocacy.
• Monitor and flag reputational risks, help adopt and implement appropriate response together with the regional and global communications team.
• Contribute to planning and communications support for high-level visits to Ukraine by NSs, leadership, donors, or government representatives.

Proactively position Ukraine Red Cross and the wider IFRC network in the media

• Position the Ukraine Red Cross and the broader IFRC Network in media engagement. Ensuring strong international media engagement, pitching story ideas regularly about Red Cross and Red Crescent operations, and building strong relationships with media based in Ukraine and abroad.
• Ensure continuous visibility of the Red Cross Red Crescent response through compelling media narratives, linked to operational milestones, diplomatic events and unfolding developments.
• Identify and support local and regional spokespersons across the IFRC Network, delivering coaching and prep for media interactions.
• Act as a senior IFRC spokesperson on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, handling interviews and media inquiries.

Support regional and global IFRC positioning in the media

• Provide media expertise beyond Ukraine to position IFRC’s work and humanitarian priorities across Europe and globally ensuring visibility in both emergency and non-emergency settings.
• Serve as a deployable media lead during large-scale emergencies—stepping in to manage media, messaging, and general crisis communication as needed.

Build powerful storytelling for awareness and influencing across platforms and campaigns

• Managing content missions with National Societies and Ukraine Red Cross (including overseeing consultants hired to support communication coverage in the country).
• Work closely with the IFRC regional and global communications teams to embed Ukraine in broader campaigns, awareness efforts, and strategic initiatives.
• Promote storytelling that illustrates the power of local response, the role of volunteers, and principled humanitarian action in conflict settings.
• Supporting in other communications and humanitarian diplomacy related tasks, such as providing support for high-level visits

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
‎ ‎

University degree in journalism, communications, marketing or international policies

Required 

• At least 8 years of experience working in communications, with or for the media ‎and/or other strategic communications roles  ‎
• Ability to produce a range of compelling communications content from the field ‎‎(such as news stories, social media content and AV materials) ‎
• Independent worker with strong relationship management experience
  Experience in managing communications issues in complex and delicate situations
• Experience in building and maintaining media relations and contacts ‎
• Experience in emergency response

Preferred 

• Red Cross and Red Crescent experience

• Knowledge of humanitarian affairs
• Management and coordination skills
• Strong spoken and written English including proven experience in drafting compelling ‎communications content for a variety of communications channels
• Demonstrated understanding and use of social media for communications and ‎advocacy purposes ‎
• Comfortable working and communicating with National Societies in a diverse ‎environment
• Ability to negotiate with partners
• Ability to multitask and work under pressure

Languages

• Fluently spoken and written English
• Fluently spoken and written Ukrainian ‎

VALUES: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability.‎

CORE COMPETENCIES: Communication; Collaboration and Teamwork; Pro-activity; National Societies and Customer ‎Relations; Creativity and Innovation; Building Trust.‎