Manager, Marketing and Advocacy Unit

Organizational Context

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 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.” 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 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 delegations 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 IFRC Communications Department is part of the Global Relations, 

Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization Division, which is composed of four teams: (i) Strategic Communications and Internal Engagement Unit; (ii) Digital Communications and Content Unit; (iii) Marketing and Advocacy Unit; and (iv) Media Relations and Crisis Communications Team. The Manager of the Marketing and Advocacy Unit reports directly to the Director of the Communications Department and collaborates with Managers and Leads across the global communications team, including in Geneva, at regional and representative offices 
of the IFRC.

Job Purpose

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Director of the IFRC Communications Department, the Manager of the Marketing and Advocacy Unit will lead a dynamic team dedicated to positioning IFRC as a reliable and trustworthy humanitarian actor through strategic marketing and advocacy initiatives. The Manager will lead the development and implementation of impactful campaigns, events, and activities targeting diverse audiences, including donors, decisionmakers, and the public, in alignment with IFRC’s thematic priorities and the global communications strategy.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Campaign Strategy and Development:
• Translate IFRC`s communications objectives and advocacy strategies into annual operating plans. 
• Manage IFRC marketing strategy in accordance with advocacy objectives and institutional values through proactive outreach to promote IFRC communications priorities. 
• Lead the development of marketing and advocacy strategy and oversee the implementation and execution of comprehensive marketing and advocacy campaigns that promote IFRC’s mission and priorities, leveraging various channels and platforms to reach target audiences effectively.
• Oversee the planning and implementation of international days’ observances, promotional events, launches, exhibits and other activities by ensuring close coordination and collaboration within the Unit and across the global communications team and with National Societies.
• Coordinate closely with internal stakeholders, including subject matter experts and policy advisors, to ensure the Unit’s work aligns with operational priorities and global operational strategies. Guide and coordinate Campaigns staff for successful marketing and advocacy efforts. Monitor campaign effectiveness and adjust based on evaluations and outcomes.

Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement:
• Collaborate with external partners, creative agencies, and influencers to maximize the reach and impact of IFRC’s marketing and advocacy initiatives and deepen and expand the engagement by relevant stakeholders in accordance with institutional values, reputation, and branding.
• Cultivate relationships with key stakeholders, to enhance visibility and support for IFRC’s humanitarian efforts.

Design and Branding Oversight:
• Oversee the development of branding guidelines and parameters to ensure consistent application of IFRC’s branding across all communications materials and platforms.
• Oversee all design and branding work, including the appropriate usage of the IFRC logo and the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement logo.

Social Media Strategy and Management:
• Strengthen the social media function and lead the standardization of global social media channels, focusing on language and audience-specific accounts to enhance engagement and reach.
• Oversee the management of leadership accounts and corporate accounts in Arabic, English, French, and Spanish, ensuring consistent messaging and branding.

Donor Visibility and Communications:
• Establish and oversee a donor visibility function, coordinating communications efforts related to donors across various funding platforms and initiatives.
• Lead the development of a global donor visibility strategy and oversee the implementation of a value-formoney approach to maximize donor support and impact.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Team Leadership and Coordination:
• Lead and manage a team of professionals, ensuring effective collaboration, coordination, and alignment with organizational goals and priorities.
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and support to team members for professional growth and development.
• Foster teamwork and communication among staff in the unit, and across the global communications team.
• Undertake or oversee the programmatic and/or administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the unit, recruitment of staff and evaluation of staff performance.
• Be a role model in inspiring, leading and managing a productive, positive, and high-performing team. 
• Be accountable to the director on delivering results, serve as a proactive strategic adviser and be a dynamic and engaged member of the department`s management team.
• Define clear roles, accountabilities, and activities, and assign them across the team members on an ongoing basis while improving efficiencies within available resources.
• Plan, manage and monitor the use of available resources (people, budgets, etc.) of the team in order to deliver the agreed activities for areas of responsibility and ensure business continuity over irregular hours where needed.
• Work effectively in a matrixed, multilevel global organization actively working to break down silos and address disconnects.
• Ensure effective coordination and engagement across departments, regional and field offices, facilitate partnerships with members and active exchange with peers, partners, and stakeholders. 
• Foster a culture of results, accountability, proactivity, innovation, quality, and integrity.
• Create a working environment that ensures staff growth, motivation, and satisfaction

Education

Required

• Advanced University degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Advocacy or related field.

Experience

Required

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in marketing, campaigning and/or advocacy, with at least 3 years in a managerial or leadership role.
• Experience in managing diverse teams, collaborating with global teams over large multinational and multi-lingual campaigns.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in large-scale social media management. X
  Proven track record in branding and positioning in an international environment.
• Experience working with donors and influencers.
• Extensive professional experience in marketing and advocacy in an international or crosscultural environment.
• Experience of building professional networks, resulting in securing impact for the
  organisation.
• Experience in coaching, capacity-building and supporting the development of a team, including supporting junior members of staff to deliver high-quality output.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Knowledge and Skills

Required

• Extensive knowledge of marketing methodologies and techniques used for campaigning and positioning.
• Results oriented, demand driven and entrepreneurial individual.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to lead within a matrix management structure and utilise talent and experience of team members in ap productive way.
• Outstanding networking and communication skills, an ability to be proactive and
  persuasive.
• Demonstrated track record in innovating, contributing to a learning culture, sharing knowledge and new approaches to engaging partners.
• Ability to work in a multicultural, multilingual and multidisciplinary environment. X
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.

Languages

Required 

• Fluent spoken and written English

Preferred

• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)

 

 

Competencies, Values and Comments

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability.
Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust.
Functional competencies: Strategic orientation; Building alliances; Leadership; Empowering others.
Managerial competencies: Managing staff performance, Managing staff development