JOB DESCRIPTION

Title: Communications delegate – generalist

Employee Working Location: International – Various

Employment Status: Delegate

The Canadian Red Cross (Red Cross) – an inspirational not for profit organization, helps people and communities in Canada and around the world in times of need and supports them in strengthening their resilience. As a Canada’s Best Employers 2024, we are committed to having an accessible, diverse, inclusive, and barrier-free work environment.

The Canadian Red Cross – International Operations is seeking experienced communications professionals to join our communications delegate register! When you apply to this selection process, you are not applying for a specific job, rather you are applying for a position on the register, to be called upon for future emergency deployments, as and when the need for your professional skillset is required. As opportunities become available, applicants who meet the qualifications may be contacted for further assessment.

You must be ready and available to deploy at short notice nationally or internationally, to some of the most remote regions of the world, providing strategic communications expertise in areas affected by disasters and emergencies. Deployments can be anywhere from five weeks to three months. You will be expected to work under pressure and tight-deadlines, with competing priorities and as part of multi-cultural team.

Communications delegates may be deployed with the Canadian Red Cross for content gathering and/or field visits, to support communications capacity strengthening initiatives or within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement) to staff Rapid Response/Surge or Health Emergency Response Unit (ERU) positions.

In this role, you will:

• Develop and execute communication strategies, encompassing brand, reputation and crisis management, media relations, social media and content production, to support the needs of various audiences including the general public, donors, media and partners.
• Proactively and reactively engage with a high level of media interest. Act as the Red Cross spokesperson or identify and prepare another appropriate spokesperson, as necessary.
• Monitor media and social media for issues and trends, and develop messaging on the context and Red Cross Red Crescent response and its impact.
• Anticipate, mitigate and escalate issues and reputational risks from the field.
• Following ethical storytelling guidelines, interview people impacted and local staff, providing strong written and visual (photos and video) documentation of the Canadian Red Cross’ work, for a variety of communications products and platforms (social media content, video updates, blogs, donor reports).
• Promote the visibility of the Canadian Red Cross and Movement operations in country, as well as provide visibility and recognition for government support as required.
• Liaise with Movement partners and the host National Society on communications efforts to ensure a collaborative and coordinated communications approach.
• At their request, work with the host National Society on opportunities for communications capacity strengthening through peer-to-peer exchanges, coaching and skills transfer.
• At their request, support the host National Society communications with social media, media relations with local media, issues and risk management, and other key areas of communications.
• Provide communications support to media, government officials, Canadian Red Cross representatives and other partners in the field. Plan and accompany field visits as needed.
• Organize and/or provide on-site support for news conferences and events.
• As appropriate, and in coordination with the Community Engagement and Accountability focal point, support creation of materials to communicate with people affected on Red Cross Red Crescent operations.

What we are looking for:

• Completion of Bachelor’s degree in the areas of public relations, media relations or communications, or other relevant field
• Minimum of 5 years of professional work experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience working for the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement or another humanitarian organization is considered an asset
• Experience living or working in a cultural context other than your own
• Experience capturing high-quality video and photos
• Experience working in low-resource settings
• Knowledge of Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
• Demonstrated experience with Canadian Press (CP) style.
• Demonstrated skill in developing a comprehensive communications strategy, with numerous mediums.
• Strong understanding of mainstream media and social media tools and applications.
• Demonstrated abilities as a spokesperson and proven writing skills in a variety of different formats (web, reports, and news releases) are essential.
• Demonstrated ability to capture photos and video for a variety of formats and mediums.
• Proven ability to adapt to changing circumstances in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to think strategically with strong analytic skills and technical knowledge, displaying a strong operational focus, good judgment, as well as decision-making and diplomacy skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in highly sensitive contexts and a strong understanding and ability to report on complex situations.
• Skills in training facilitation, mentoring, coaching and development of staff and volunteers.
• Ability to intelligently and articulately relate to people at all levels of an organization.
• Fluent in English. Second language of French, Spanish or Arabic.
• Excellent written and verbal communications and ability to perform to professional communication standards.
• A high-level of computing ability, including working with digital media applications. The ability to work with Mac OS and Apple iOS hardware and software, and Microsoft Suite is essential.

Working Conditions

• This is a field-based position. Working in countries of operation is very demanding, both physically and psychologically. Difficult working conditions are expected, including the following:
• Issues of access and mobility due to the dynamic nature of an emergency situation and proximity to disaster-affected area.
• Long hours of work in a demanding context with limited resources.
• The ability to work in a high-risk, fluid and evolving situation may be required, as is the ability to work in stressful and often ambiguous conditions.
• Basic living conditions that may include intermittent electricity, Internet and other basic services.
• Canadian Red Cross supports a safe working environment and comfortable accommodation; however, as in all contexts, delegates must be aware and responsible for their personal safety and that of employees under their supervision.
• In some contexts, legal frameworks and institutions to enforce the rule of law are largely undeveloped.
• In some remote areas, access to healthcare could be limited or non existent.
• All Canadian Red Cross delegates must be cleared by the Travel Health team with full medical and vaccination clearance
• As we work with and support people (managers, colleagues, beneficiaries/customers, volunteers, donors and external partners) and communities in Canada and around the world, applicants whose first language is not English may be required to perform the responsibilities of the role in English.
• Eligibility to work in Canada: At this time, we welcome applications from candidates eligible to work in Canada. If you are not a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, we encourage you to carefully review your visa to find out whether you are eligible to work in the job you are considering applying for. Refer to our FAQ for more information.
• If you are selected for this role, you will be required to complete a successful pre-employment screening process which includes a satisfactory Enhanced Police Information Check (E-PIC).

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements