Communication Officer 3 | Addis Ababa

What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide protection and humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and, at the same time, promote respect for international humanitarian law. We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.

Purpose

The Communication Officer 3 is the focal point and person responsible for all external and internal communication of the Delegation. S/he positions the delegation by strengthening its external network with communication counterparts in the African Union, its member States, the IFRC, National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, NGOs, advocacy groups and academic circles as well as with media (social, print, audio-visual). S/he defines the delegations’ public communication efforts in coordination with the region and HQ. S/he ensures public communications approaches (media and digital) support the ICRC’s key humanitarian diplomacy efforts and external engagement priorities.

S/he designs, plans and implements internal and external communication projects and activities under the supervision of the Humanitarian Affairs Advisor 2 (HAA) and in coordination with the Head of Regional Communication Centre in Nairobi and the Communication Head of Sector in Geneva. S/he contributes to representing the ICRC externally and building the necessary understanding and acceptance of and support for the ICRC among key stakeholders including with the AU, RECs and Media outlets.

Relationships

• Internally, interacts with the HoD/Deputy/HAAs,), Communication Head of Sector (Geneva), the Africa Media Relations delegate based in Nairobi, and other staff involved in communication activities from all the delegations in the region and beyond.
• Externally, interacts with key stakeholders, communication officers or public relations officers within the African Union, Embassies, NGOs, advocacy groups and academic circles and media. interacts with, Member states, Donors, Decision makers, representatives of international organizations, partners, and think-tanks.

Accountabilities & functional responsibilities

• Defines the communication strategies and plans of action for the ICRC delegation to the AU, in line with the delegation’s communication strategy and humanitarian diplomacy framework.
• Is responsible for designing, implementing and evaluating communication activities with the African Union, its member States and major stakeholders (e.g., relevant NGOs, academic circles and media). Communication activities include: promoting international humanitarian law (IHL), positioning the ICRC and its Movement partners, building the communication capacity of the Africa Humanitarian Agency of the African Union, public and digital communication, information analysis/environment scanning, public affairs and resource mobilization (e.g., launch of the ICRC annual appeal for Africa).
• Supports the HoD/Deputy/HAAs, the Head of the Regional Communication center and experts (Nairobi), the Communication Head of Sector in Geneva with engagement of communication target populations and  production of communication materials,
• Represents the ICRC with communication target populations of the ADO delegation to enhance ICRC acceptance and promote IHL.
• Follows political, security, military and humanitarian developments, as well as other issues relevant to the ICRC’s reputation/perception and capacity to operate in the geographic area covered, contributing to their analysis.
• Manages the technical and administrative support to communication activities (e.g. filing, stock management, event organization).
• Organizes and delivers communication-related training and coaching for ADO delegation staff and the communication staff of ADD delegation according to need, as part of the wider ADD/ADO ambition to mutualize resources and to foster synergies.

DELEGATION SPECIFIC TASKS:

1. MEDIA & SOCIAL MEDIA MONITORING AND MAPPING

• Collect and share information related to the African Union and humanitarian developments in Africa, as well as other issues relevant to the ICRC’s reputation/perception and capacity to operate in the AU context, in order to improve the ICRC’s understanding of the environment and humanitarian trends and responses in support of the delegation’s humanitarian diplomacy priorities.
• Monitor local and international media daily, as well as the websites of the AU, the UN Think thanks, social media accounts of key interlocutors, the ICRC and other relevant international organizations.
• Produce a weekly Media/Social media monitoring report to share with the ADO delegation and other ICRC delegations in Africa.
• Map media and update the document proactively engage with journalists to raise awareness on ICRC’s mandate and work.
• Support HAA mapping of key interlocutors with a focus on their digital footprint.

2. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION

• Develop and implement a communication strategy, contribute to defining communication contents (digital, print, audiovisual and media) and, where relevant, humanitarian diplomacy objectives, strategies and plans of action in line with the ADO’s priorities and its communication strategic goals.
• Create, edit, repurpose and publish communication material about the activities of ADO and other delegations in the region.
• Organize and manage media events, training and field trips when required, draft news releases and updates, press lines, reports in coordination with the Management and the ICRC Regional Communication team.
• Develop and contribute to the organization of different public events (press conferences, campaigns, expositions, policy dialogues, summits, seminars, briefings, etc.) and ensure proper visibility for impact.
• Work closely with Public Communications team counterparts in other delegations, Nairobi and Geneva, to develop an integrated and coherent approach to communications and activities across online and traditional channels.
• Review and validate content with relevant delegations and teams ahead of publication.
• Ensure the accurate, timely and effective delivery of contents, optimised for search and audience engagement, partnering with A/V producers, social media leads, web editors, and other relevant Communication officers in the Regional Communication Centres and delegations.

3. EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT

• Networks with relevant communication officers or public relations officers in (a) organizations in the Addis Ababa multilateral and diplomatic circles, (b) the IFRC and African National RC/RC societies; (b) advocacy groups, academic circles and NGOs.
• Represents the ICRC to communication target populations, with the aim of enhancing ICRC acceptance and promoting IHL and other legal norms and relevant topics.
• Based on the media monitoring insight, provide recommendations and analysis, to support the delegation external engagements through tailored communication tactics.
• Build up and maintain a network of contacts and working relationships with communication officers, journalists and influencers.
• Represents the ICRC in an appropriate way during activities, in meetings and in the field, documents and generates internal and external materials, avoids any activity that may reflect negatively on the ICRC’s image.

4. PRINT PRODUCTION

• Lead the production of the delegation’s public communication materials, ICRC publications and promotional items, (posters, policy research, leaflets, newsletters, and other products).
• Work closely with the Regional Production Officer in Nairobi to ensure all publications and external products respect the ICRC Visual Identity and branding guidelines.
• Compile the Field Production Book (a consumption and production planning and budgeting tool).
• Order publications and promotional materials needed in the delegation.

5. ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Attend the Weekly Regional Communication meeting, share updates from ADO with other delegations and collect key information on other delegations’ operations and communications to inform ADO’s external engagement strategy.
• Document activities and events organized by the delegation.
• Manage technical and administrative work (e.g. filing, stock management, event organization).
• Follow up on all work-related messages and correspondence with the relevant contacts and departments.
• Is aware of the delegation’s objectives and has a good knowledge of the priority thematic and legal files, Movement and other contacts relevant to the position
• Takes responsibility for their own professional learning and development.

MINIMUM REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE & EXPEREINCE:

• University degree or equivalent in a relevant field such as communications, political science, international relations or journalism.
• Fluent spoken and written English and/or French and, when applicable, the local language(s).
• Computer skills (proficiency in MS Office); familiarity with digital communication tools.
• Minimum 5 years’ work experience in a field relevant to communication and/or prevention (preferably with the ICRC).
• Confirmed capacity to represent an international organization like the ICRC.
• Proven experience in managing communications activities and projects.
• Experience in an ICRC operation an asset.
• IHL knowledge an asset.
• Sound knowledge of the political, social and media environment in Africa.

Additional information

• Type of role: National / Resident (Opened to Ethiopian Nationals ONLY)
• Working rate: 100%
• Location: Addis Ababa
• Job level: B3
• Length of assignment: 1 year fixed term contract, subject to extension based on performance and budget availability
• Hardship : H1
• Application deadline: 17/1/2026

Our values

• At the ICRC, we value impact, collaboration, respect, and compassion. We seek candidates who demonstrate behaviors based on these shared values. For more information on the ICRC values, please visit this page.