The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities that support them, as well as with those who remain within their homes and communities. 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. IRC reaches over a million children annually with education and child protection programs in 25 countries around the world.
The PlayMatters project seeks to improve holistic learning, development, and psychosocial wellbeing for 800,000 refugee and host community pre-primary and primary school going children aged 3-12+ in Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia through play-based learning. The project is being implemented by a consortium led by the International Rescue Committee, and includes Plan International, War Child Holland, Innovations for Poverty Action, and the Behavioral Insights Team in partnership with the LEGO Foundation.
1. OUTCOMES. Everything we do is fueled by the social, emotional, cognitive, physical, creative and resilience outcomes we seek. We know learning happens when children are at the center and teachers, parents and the system surrounding them embrace children’s agency and have not only skills and resources, but the motivation to drive change.
2. RESEARCH AND LEARNING. Effective delivery requires both rigor and a big heart. With LEGO Foundation, PlayMatters will generate scientific evidence that can transform our understanding of play and learning for refugees in East Africa and around the world.
3. THOUGHT LEADERSHIP. The LEGO Foundation Humanitarian Initiative offers an opportunity to deliver and comes with the responsibility to lead. Our consortium’s members have a record mobilizing other.
Job Overview/Summary:
The Communications Specialist will be a member of the PlayMatters regional project team based in Kampala, Uganda and work closely with the Senior Communications Officer, Impact Partnerships, and other members of the global communications team. The position will lead on information and communication products to engage external stakeholders on PlayMatters activities with refugees and host communities in diverse settings across Uganda and Ethiopia, and Tanzania.
Major Responsibilities:
• Working with the Senior Communications Officer, Global Partnerships, develop and implement the PlayMatters regional and in-country communication plan, ensuring IRC communication policies and protocols are appropriately reflected.
• Provide technical support to country implementing teams in Uganda, Ethiopia and Tanzania in messaging, storytelling, branding, media, events, and other communications related needs
• Act as a focal point for communications with PlayMatters consortium partners and provide consortium leadership in ensuring all actors are aligned with and effectively implementing communications deliverables and branding expectations.
• Work with the Senior Communications Officer, Global Partnerships, to collect and develop communications materials (e.g. media stories, photographs, video footage for external news outlets and social media) to raising project visibility via earned media and across IRC digital channels.
• Lead the creation of communication materials, content, and products on behalf of the PlayMatters Regional Project Team (e.g. fact sheets, case studies, powerpoints, graphics, social media content, and newsletters) aimed at raising awareness about the project with key stakeholders.
• Oversee the management of the project’s website, and act as a focal person for the development and dissemination of stories posted on the website.
• Develop and maintain project information, communication and branding policies and protocols in consultation with relevant focal points.
• Work with partnerships team to prepare briefing packs for donor and other visitors to PlayMatters field activities.
• Track, research and analyze information on key areas of interest as per the programmatic requirements or assignments from Project Director.
• Advise the PlayMatters Senior Management Team on innovative means/products and ways of communicating internally as they respond to staff’s mutual concerns, issues, announcements etc.
• Support research and writing of briefing materials and advocacy papers in coordination with the evidence & technical team as well as the policy & advocacy advisor.
• Ensure PlayMatters work is positively reflected amongst wider public by capitalizing on the regional and in-country organized public & programmatic events (e.g. ceremonies, commemorations etc.) as needed and appropriate.
Key Working Relationships:
• Position Reports to: Project Director, PlayMatters and is managed in partnership with the Senior Communications Officer, Global Partnerships
• Position supervises: Regional Visual Content Producer
• Indirect Reporting: Senior Communications Officer, Global Partnerships
Other Internal and/or external contacts:
• Internal: PlayMatters regional project team, IRC country program staff; and relevant IRC regional and headquarters units, such as Communications and Advocacy.
• External: PlayMatters consortium partner focal points: War Child Holland; Plan International; Innovations for Poverty Action; and the Behavioral Insights Team
Requirements:
• At least 5 years of relevant communications experience with 3 years’ work experience with an INGO in a similar role
• Experience in collecting and developing content from the field, producing compelling communications materials and working with media
• Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively in a multi-cultural environment with international and national colleagues and partners.
• Fluency in English is required and strong writing skills
• Solid organizational skills: the ability to be flexible and work well under pressure, dealing with competing priorities, in a fast-paced team environment.
• Detail-oriented and good multi-tasking abilities to meet multiple deadlines
• Strong understanding of humanitarian crises and contexts in eastern Africa is a plus
• Strong team player
• Strong understanding of user-centered graphic design, process including ability to advise on how to distill large amounts of information into aesthetically pleasing, donor-compliant and engaging materials for a wide audience.
Working Environment:
• Standard office work environment
• Travel required 25%
• Position is based in the IRC Regional PlayMatters office in Kampala, Uganda
Standards of Professional Conduct: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Diversity Equality, and Inclusion (DEI), Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons, and several others.
Narrowing the Gender Gap: The International Rescue Committee is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including a flexible hour (when possible), maternity leave, transportation support, and gender-sensitive security protocols.
Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws
More Information
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