Communications Officer

Background:

Over the past 90
years, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has developed unparalleled
expertise in responding to emergencies and helping uprooted communities to
rebuild. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC’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. The IRC is in 50
countries, providing emergency relief and rebuilding lives after disaster.
Through 28 regional offices in cities across the United States, the IRC also
helps refugees resettle in the US and become self-sufficient. The IRC is
committed to a culture of bold leadership, innovation in all aspects of our
work, creative partnerships and, most crucially, accountability to those we serve.
The IRC is a tireless advocate for the most vulnerable.

The International Rescue Committee began
responding to the growing humanitarian crisis in Northern Central America since
2017. In the past years, IRC has reached more than 2 million persons with
humanitarian response programs, including research-driven education
interventions, gender-based violence response services, child protection
services, protection coordination, cash for families in crisis and increased
access to trustworthy information. The IRC serves individuals and families who
are internally displaced, returned asylum seekers and refugees, and survivors
of violence especially women, girls, and the LGBTQ+ population.

Job Overview:

 We are looking for
a Communications Officer who is creative, detail-oriented, passionate for
storytelling and designing impactful materials. Our Communications Officer will
support the implementation of IRC’s communications strategy across the region
(Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador) which aims to position our work and our
partners to donors, NGO partners, the communities with whom we work, and to
government agencies.

Responsibilities: 

• Support the implementation of the communications strategy designed to effectively position the IRC and our work to donors, partner NGOs, the communities in which we work, and municipal governments.
• Collaborate with the Senior Communications Officer developing and creating impactful content about the IRC’s work for internal channels and for external placement.
• Collaborate with IRC project teams to develop printed materials, clients’ stories, and other communication tools to communicate with target audiences effectively.
• Help ensure the compliance of visibility products with IRC’s and donor’s standards.
• Collaborate with the Senior Communications Officer responding to information requests from news media; including research as necessary; arrange interviews; and assist journalists and photographers in coordinating coverage of IRC programs.
• Catalog and classify audiovisual materials according to established systems and standards.
• Support the organization of strategic events to cultivate local stakeholders and recognize local support.
• Step in and support IRC operations, as needed, including willingness to respond to humanitarian crisis including natural disasters and travel within Guatemala or the region as necessary.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 5+ years’ experience in NGO communications; previous experience in marketing or public relations/journalism/graphic design is preferred.
• Excellent writing abilities in Spanish and English.
• Written and spoken English at an intermediate level desired.
• Proficient in Adobe Suite – especially Illustrator, Premiere.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Able to build positive relationships and work in a fast-paced, multi-cultural environment and to meet crisis communications and time limitations.
• Experience in international humanitarian organizations desired.