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About the Role

The Senior Communications Officer will lead and deliver the communications function for the What Works to Prevent Violence - Impact at Scale Programme (What Works II), shaping its narrative and strengthening high-impact communications to support this global initiative. The role involves building external and internal communications capacity, supporting advocacy efforts, and translating research findings into clear, audience-specific messages for various stakeholders to influence policy, inform practice, and build awareness for GBV prevention efforts. This position will supervise a Social Media and Digital Officer.

Responsibilities

Serve as the key communications link between the implementation and research consortia, coordinating on products and publications, and delivering the programme’s evidence dissemination strategy.
Lead the synthesis and translation of evidence from grants and studies into accessible, engaging formats for stakeholders, sectors, donors, media, and the public.
Coordinate with the EEI team, grant managers, and technical advisors to respond to information requests, gather material, and identify trends for donor visibility and reporting.
Support the planning, delivery, and visibility of What Works II events and conferences, including briefing packages and visibility materials.
Develop communication frameworks and forge strategic partnerships around major communication products, events, commemorations, and milestones.
Translate complex technical documents into clear and compelling narratives for external stakeholders.
Support policy-related communications as needed.
Support programme leadership in developing speaking notes, keynote presentations, thought leadership content, opinion pieces, and strategic messaging.
Lead crisis preparedness and response planning, including the development of crisis communication frameworks, playbooks, and escalation protocols.
Provide strategic guidance during sensitive or high-profile situations involving media, regulatory, operational, or reputational risks.
Partner with internal stakeholders to develop messaging and stakeholder communications during critical events.
Identify opportunities to strengthen programme positioning and proactively manage reputational risks.
Produce multimedia and communications content tailored to political, academic, and activist audiences.
Lead internal communications priorities, including producing and disseminating the quarterly newsletter.
Source photography, case studies, and field evidence; identify photography opportunities; support the hiring of freelance photographers and videographers, ensuring adherence to informed-consent principles; manage content-collection shoots.
Produce or project-manage graphic design and formatting support for donor and public-facing materials.
Ensure all materials adhere to What Works II Programmes branding and applicable donor requirements.
Compile digital media metrics and communications achievements for quarterly donor reporting.
Supervise the Social Media and Digital Officer, with oversight of social media management and website management.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, English, public relations or another related field from an accredited university.
Experience in, or familiarity with development and/or humanitarian programming and operating in an emergency context.
Willingness and ability to travel to visit field-sites and document findings.
Knowledge of/experience with graphic design and social media photography, and videography.
Fluent written and spoken English required.
Knowledge of French or Arabic is an added advantage.
Excellent IT skills, including Advanced Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint.
Experience with communication related AI packages.
Experience working with quantitative and digital metrics data (desirable).
Experience of using digital analytics tools and good analytical skills.
Excellent organizational skills.
Proven ability to manage a heavy and fluctuating workload.
Proven ability to manage conflicting demands of a large cross-organizational team.
Proven ability to prioritize own workload.
Proven experience in organization of events/workshops.
Results orientated.
Knowledge or experience working in donor funded programmes.

Skills

Communications
Journalism
English
Public Relations
Development programming
Humanitarian programming
Emergency context operations
Graphic design
Social media photography
Videography
English fluency
French language proficiency (advantageous)
Arabic language proficiency (advantageous)
Advanced Word
Advanced Outlook
Advanced Excel
Advanced PowerPoint
SharePoint
Communication related AI packages
Quantitative data analysis
Digital metrics data analysis
Digital analytics tools
Analytical skills
Organizational skills
Workload management
Conflict management
Prioritization
Event organization
Workshop organization
Results orientation
Donor funded programme experience

Location

United Kingdom
Kenya

Work Type

Hybrid
Local employment contract

Experience Level

6-8 years of professional experience in a similar role
Experience in a communications role
Experience developing public/audience facing documents/content
Experience using social media for communications and advocacy

Education Level

Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, English, public relations or another related field

Salary/Compensations

£52,210-£61,999/yr

About the Company

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster.
Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities.
A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions.
If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Equal Opportunity

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability.
In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation.
IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs.
IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.