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 Federation is at the forefront of humanitarian crisis preparedness and response. As part of its ongoing work, several initiatives have been developed to strengthen the expertise and capacity of National Societies to prepare for and respond to disasters and crises worldwide. 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.
This consultancy position seeks a communication professional who can design communication and marketing materials targeting a wide range of audiences to disseminate information and share knowledge about a selection of priority global initiatives. The communication consultant will provide support mainly to the IFRC Health & Care—Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme, the Disaster, Climate and Crisis Department focused on Red Cross Red Crescent institutional preparedness and Information Management, with a possibility of supporting other units if additional needs arise.
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. The IFRC health and care framework, approved in July 2020, provides epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response as an area of focus.
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.”
“We will also significantly invest in epidemic and pandemic preparedness. This includes investing in local actors, networks and volunteers as frontline responders and early risk detectors.”
The objectives of the consultancy are:
To support the implementation of communication and advocacy strategies, plans, and activities for the short, medium, and long term to reinforce and increase reach to a wide range of target audiences To design and produce communication and marketing materials in printable, digital, and audiovisual formats translated into the official languages of the IFRC and others if required, and to promote global initiatives through diverse communication channels along the Red Cross Red Crescent Network. To develop knowledge-sharing activities and documents to disseminate successes, lessons learned and results of implementing the global initiatives. To provide technical support towards the further development of dedicated websites such as the IFRC website (pages on NS preparedness and epidemic preparedness), epidemics.ifrc.org and cbs.ifrc.org, as well as regular analyses of web statistics.
Desired outcomes and outputs
The following outcomes and outputs are in general for the IFRC units:
Provide technical support towards the implementation of communication, knowledge sharing, and advocacy plans for the IFRC’s global and regional programmes, and provide guidance to National Societies participating in such initiatives. Graphic design of marketing materials to promote global initiatives in printable and digital formats (two-pagers, flyers, postcards, posters, newsletters, presentations, banners, merchandising, etc.) in alignment with IFRC brand guidelines. Layout of explanatory documents and infographics to share knowledge with a wide range of target audiences (case studies, success stories, frameworks, guidance notes, reports, etc.). Planning and producing content for digital platforms such as blog posts or articles, social media assets, websites, and microsites published in the internal or external Red Cross Red Crescent network repositories. Development of social media content planning and assets for IFRC channels in alignment with IFRC global and regional focal points, Red Cross Red Crescent Reference Centers, National Societies, and partner organisations. Planning, production and editing of audiovisual materials from video scripts and storyboard creation, editions, captioning in various languages, and coordination with the responsible for dissemination. Monitoring and follow-up on the results of the communication activities implemented or disseminated (analytics of reach, engagement, demographics, etc.).In particular, for the Health & Care unit, the consultant will need to manage the following channels:
Newsletter: The Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness newsletter is periodically sent in English and French. Micro-sites: The Epidemics Control Toolkit and the Community-based surveillance sites (content update and analytics reports). YouTube channel: Administration of the “Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness” channel published on IFRC unlisted.In particular, for the Disaster, Crises and Climate department, the consultant will need to manage the following channels:
Website: The Disaster and Crises webpage published on IFRC.org Newsletter: The National Society Preparedness newsletter is periodically sent in English, online, and PDF versions.In particular, for the Information Management unit, the consultant will need to manage the following channels:
Videos: Edition of quarterly meeting videos and tutorials to share with IM practitioners. Newsletter: Launch of the Information Management – IFRC GO platform newsletter. YouTube channel: Administration of the “GO Platform” channel published on IFRC unlisted.The list of communication channels and tools is not exhaustive and may be adapted or expanded based on the strategies and needs of the target audiences.
Timeframe
The consultancy will be for up to 180 days between 15 January 2025 to 31 January 2026, with a possibility to extend for a longer period.
Estimated time allocation
Area
Consulting Days (approx)
Health & Care Department
70
Disaster, Climate & Crises Department
90
Information Management
20
Total number of days
180
Management of consultancy
The consultant will be managed by the IFRC National Society Preparedness Senior Officer in coordination with other IFRC teams.
Should travel be required, travel expenses will be reimbursed at cost by the IFRC’s relevant regulations.
Required
Fluently spoken and written English.Preferred
Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic).Application Instruction
Please submit your application in English only.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.