Communication and Multimedia Manager

Background of IRC:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their lives. The IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict, and disaster and the host communities that support them, as well as those who remain within their homes and communities. We began work in Ethiopia in 2000 and currently implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response. 

The IRC has a focus on narrowing the gender gap in humanitarian aid and ensuring that we contribute to gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in both our programs and operations by working to establish a context where our clients (including those from minority groups) enjoy the same rights and opportunities as well as equal access to services. The IRC also has a strong commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive culture, where safeguarding is upheld in our workplace and programs. We are determined to protect our clients and staff from safeguarding violations through prevention and, where misconduct is alleged, to address it without fear or favor.

Job Overview:

The Communication and Multimedia Manager will play a crucial role in the Play Matters project, contributing to the implementation of a comprehensive multimedia and communication strategy. This position will be responsible for developing and executing strategies that effectively communicate the impact and progress of Learning through Play (LtP) to various stakeholders. The Communication and Multimedia Manager will oversee the organization's website, media engagements, collaborations with key stakeholders, and global partnerships to share content and engage with international audiences. Additionally, She/he will lead the production of multimedia materials and monitor the effectiveness of communication efforts using MEL/analytics tools. Collaboration with internal stakeholders to share compelling stories and knowledge will also be a key responsibility. Communication and Multimedia Managers support the design and implementation of demand-driven multimedia interventions that support elevate and communicate the project outcomes, through a variety of digital avenues to enhance the engagement of male and female community members, teachers, system actors, and potentially children directly, all reinforcing the learning through play (LtP) principles promoted through the Play Matters initiatives. The Communication and Multimedia Manager uses skills in drawing, color, composition, and storytelling to create engaging images, communication materials that enliven Play Matters content for educators, community members, caregivers, and systems actors. The illustrator will review text, sketch, revise, iterate, and finish illustrations for Play Matters products, adjusting as requested by the Play Matters team.

Major Responsibilities:

• Act as a focal point for communication and multimedia with Play Matters consortium partners and/or service providers, providing in-country consortium leadership.

• Collaborate with other in-country LEGO Foundation-funded ed tech/media/edutainment projects to ensure synergies across projects.

• In collaboration with outcome and cross-cutting leads and other technical teams to identify opportunities and needs for multimedia interventions that aimed at meeting content expectations.

• In collaboration with the PlayMatters regional multimedia coordinator establish the in-country multimedia content production and implementation quality standards and processes.

• Liaise with relevant government ministries, local media actors, and other external stakeholder personnel (as appropriate) for the purpose of engaging them in supporting PlayMatters initiatives around multimedia production, communication, and distribution.

• Liaise with the MEAL team to proactively monitor multimedia solutions, document, and manage collected data, and disseminate learnings to key stakeholders.

• Conceptualize and create colorful/engaging illustrations to support key ideas and concepts presented in textual educational materials for teachers, community members, caregivers, systems actors, and potentially children (illustrations may include elements for guides, posters, booklets, manuals, etc.)

• Create illustrations that are of the highest quality and meet technical requirements.

• Work collaboratively with all members of our content development committees to ensure technically accurate, appropriate, consistent, and responsive illustrations are creative.

• Collaborate and communicate creative ideas with a cross-functional team that includes technical experts, graphic designers, behavioral scientists, and users to create compelling illustrations.

• Create designs that are appropriate for both physical and digital versions of the content and can be translated into multiple formats.

• Contributing to the organization's website as a central hub for project information.

• Coordinating media engagements and raising awareness of project progress.

• Establishing collaborations with key stakeholders to promote project sustainability.

• Leveraging global partnerships and platforms in partnership with the region to share content and engage international audiences.

• Overseeing the production of multimedia content to showcase project impact.

• Monitoring and analyzing the effectiveness of communication efforts.

• Collaborating with internal stakeholders to share compelling stories and knowledge.

Safeguarding Responsibilities: -

• Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion, and cohesion in IRC [team/office]

• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue, and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies

Reporting

• Reports to – Sr. Project Manager 
• Works closely with- Sr. RMEAL Manager, and Outcome leads.
• Travel: Expected travel 30% of the time

Job Requirements:

Educational Requirements:

• B.A./M.A. degree in Creative Arts, Graphic Design or related fields, journalism/communication
• Previous experience in similar positions in nongovernmental organizations is a plus.

Preferred experience & skills:

• A minimum of 4 years work experience for B.A holder and 3 years experience for M.A holders
• Ability to use and familiarity with various drawing tools and digital il\lustration software (such as Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, CorelDRAW, or others)
• Superb conceptualization and conceptual skills to create original characters and artwork
• Excellent sketching skills to quickly communicate ideas.
• An ability to receive, interpret, and implement constructive feedback from diverse project partners and iterate on illustrated designs.
• Ability to navigate and creatively engage with diverse artistic traditions in Ethiopia.
• A compelling portfolio that showcases aesthetic awareness, high-caliber drawing skills, and command of multiple illustration styles
• Excellent project management skills
• Experience in managing communication and multimedia projects in a nonprofit or international development context
• Strong interpersonal skills and effective communication with diverse stakeholders
• Strategic thinking abilities, including the development and implementation of comprehensive communication and multimedia strategies
• Experience in leveraging partnerships and platforms to amplify project impact
• Strong organizational and time-management skills; proven ability to prioritize and deliver on time
• Strong analytic problem-solving skills
• Ability to work both independently and in a dynamic, cross-functional global team structure
• Ability to manage and work through change proactively and positively.

Language Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as, an overall ability to be clear and concise in all communications

How To Apply

How to apply:

Candidates meeting the above qualifications are encouraged to apply only through the below IRC online recruitment website: 

IRC Career Site: -  https://careers.rescue.org/us/en/job/req53158/Communication-and-Multimedia-Manager

Please include 3 references from current and former employers.

Applications will not be returned. IRC discourages phone calls or personal visits.

Only applicants meeting the minimum qualification will be short-listed and contacted.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Your application letter/cover letter must include the following information. 

• Name of the position you have applied for 

• Date of application 

• Summary of  your qualifications and experience 

• Motivation/objective of why you have applied for the job

• Permanent Address and present address (if different from permanent) and telephone number if possible also email address 

• Disclose any family relationships with existing IRC employees. 

IRC is an equal employment opportunity employer.  IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients.

Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons

Gender Equality: IRC 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 parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances