Digital Communications Officer

BACKGROUND

Over the past 80 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 offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. The IRC responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and is on the ground in more than 40 countries providing emergency relief, relocating refugees and rebuilding lives.

The IRC is committed to a culture of bold leadership, innovation in all aspects of work, creative partnerships and, most crucially, accountability to those served. The IRC is a tireless advocate for the most vulnerable.

The IRC in EUROPE

IRC Belgium leads on the IRC’s engagement with the EU institutions. We aim to shape EU humanitarian, development and migration policies in ways that improve the lives of people affected by conflict and disaster, and ensure that EU funding is targeted effectively.

IRC Belgium is part of a strong and flourishing European network, working closely with our offices in Germany, Italy, Greece, Poland, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and the UK.

SCOPE OF WORK

The IRC is looking for a Digital Communications Officer to help raise its profile in Brussels and among our EU stakeholders.

The role leads on increasing brand awareness and digital engagement with our target audiences in Brussels, which is essential to achieving our advocacy goals and improving outcomes for people caught in crisis.

This role is particularly important as we move towards the European elections, and the IRC seeks to put its priority issues on the agenda for the coming years.

The post of Digital Communications Officer reports jointly to the Communications Manager in Brussels, and the Senior Director of Digital Engagement in New York. It will work very closely with advocacy, policy and communications teams across the organisation to deliver shared profile and influence goals.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy (20%)

• Build and implement a content strategy to grow the IRC’s digital presence in the EU and support the achievement of our EU advocacy objectives.
• Support colleagues on advancing their policy change goals through digital advocacy and integrated campaigns.
• Identify influencers in the EU market, seek out new partnerships, and nurture existing relationships to optimise digital engagements.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the humanitarian sector, our peer organisations, our online audiences and the type of content that drives engagements.
• As needed, and in collaboration with country communications staff, help provide strategic guidance to regional European teams on growing their local digital presence.

Digital channels and campaigns (50%)

• Work closely with colleagues to identify newsworthy moments relating to our work and brand through which to engage our online audience, advance our policy profile, and pursue digital campaigning opportunities.
• Ensure regular publishing of content on IRC EU social media channels, maintain and optimise website content including adapting features from other markets, and drafting new articles on EU specific topics.
• Stay on top of social media trends and developments in the Brussels space, and find creative ways to engage our EU stakeholders.
• Support global IRC moments and campaigns via EU channels.
• Set up and lead on new digital and social media channels based on evolving technologies, audience trends and organisational needs.
• Lead on the management of the IRC EU website, keep it up-to-date, and work closely with the IRC’s in-house development team on new features for the site and data analysis.
• Handle Google Ads grant, and paid advertising.

Creative content (15%)

• Produce and adapt compelling visual and graphic content for the IRC’s EU website and social media channels – including video, images and infographics.
• With support of the colleagues, devise creative strategies for EU campaigns, and adapt global strategies for EU channels where necessary. Participate in in-person IRC events to collect photos, videos, sound clips. Ensure newly-produced assets are added to the IRC’s database.
• Support with fulfilling EU donor visibility requirements.

Analytics & performance (10%)

• Lead on analytics for the IRC’s EU digital channels, using data to inform audience and content strategies, and decisions on channel management.
• Maintain reports for monthly KPIs and media mentions.
• Act as digital lead for Brandwatch for EU market, identify key policy and influencing areas of focus to monitor, and report on trends.
• With the support of colleagues, develop and implement SEO strategies and use Google Analytics and Search Console monitors to refine approaches to drive up levels of digital engagement.

Brand consistency (3%)

• Ensure all EU online content is on-brand, consistent in terms of style, quality and tone of voice.

Administrative (2%)

• Manage the EU market social media advertising budget.
• As needed, act as liaison between regional European offices and Global support teams (Creative Studio, Analytics team, Remote Markets) to support in areas of donor visibility and reporting.
• Provide ongoing updates to broader IRC EU colleagues on evolving digital trends, new content and assets as they are produced.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Skills, Knowledge and Qualifications

• Experience of analysing digital campaigns, the ability to use Google Analytics, and a good understanding of Search Engine Optimisation, including a clear understanding of how Google’s algorithm ranks pages
• Excellent English language skills
• Very strong writing, editing and proofreading skills – adept at producing engaging, accessible copy for a range of channels
• Knowledge of key debates in Brussels and Europe on international development and humanitarian issues
• Experience of using digital channels to advance advocacy goals
• Experience of analysing and reporting on digital engagement, and using this to inform content and strategy decisions
• Good organisational and time management skills, and experience of working to deadlines to deliver high quality content
• Self-starter who is able to make a success of new initiatives and work without close instruction in Brussels, while collaborating with colleagues across the globe
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to establish good working relationships with global colleagues
• Ability to think creatively and produce innovative content
• Proven experience in graphic design and video editing, with the ability to use Adobe Photoshop, XD, and Adobe Premier Pro, and to support with filming when necessary.
• Degree in a relevant subject, or equivalent relevant experience in communications or digital marketing

Desirable

• Experience of working with a creative agency and/or charitable organisation in a similar role
• Experience of liaising with external suppliers
• Experience using Drupal or similar content management systems (CMS)
• Experience of digital fundraising and email marketing
• Flexibility as regards working hours