Operational Communications Officer

About CIVIC

Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) is an international non-governmental organization with offices around the world working to improve protection of civilians caught in conflict zones. CIVIC envisions a world in which no civilian is harmed in conflict. Our mission is to support communities affected by conflict in their quest for protection and strengthen the resolve and capacity of armed actors to prevent and respond to civilian harm. We are advocates who believe that no civilian caught in conflict should be ignored, and advisors who provide practical solutions to preventing and responding to civilian harm. Learn more at civiliansinconflict.org.

About the Position

The Operational Communications Officer (OCO) will support the CIVIC’s communications activities in the regions and countries of intervention, with a focus on enhancing field operations’ visibility, effectiveness, and impact through strategic communications. The officer will work closely with country teams, field staff, and senior leadership, while being part of the Global Communications and Media team, reporting directly to the Director of Communications.

Based in The Hague or Geneva (working 2 days per week in the office and 3 days remotely) the OCO will be responsible for executing communication strategies that amplify the voices of those most affected by conflict, promote humanitarian principles, and enhance CIVIC’s reputation in international forums. This position will start as a six-month contract with the possibility of extension and conversion to a permanent position.

Key Functions

1. Field Communications Strategy and Execution:

• Collaborate with field teams in multiple countries to design and implement tailored communications strategies.
• Ensure communications efforts align with CIVIC’s overarching goals, reflecting the organization’s mission and values.
• Provide support for timely communication of programmatic achievements, challenges, and lessons learned, ensuring that all materials are consistent with CIVIC’s brand and voice.

1. Storytelling and Content Creation:

• Develop compelling multimedia content (articles, photos, videos, social media posts) that highlights the field’s impact, focusing on personal stories, program successes, and protection and humanitarian issues.
• Conduct field visits, as needed, to capture firsthand accounts from staff, civilians and other key stakeholders within the affected communities, ensuring authenticity and accuracy in storytelling.
• Work with field teams to identify key moments or events for high-impact storytelling that can shape public perceptions of CIVIC’s work.
• Guide and support country teams to produce collateral, ensuring quality control and consistency across all products.

1. Media and Public Relations:

• Support the development of media outreach materials (press releases, op-eds, media briefs) to raise awareness of CIVIC’s field activities.
• Develop and maintain relationships with journalists, international media, and other external stakeholders to amplify CIVIC’s messaging.
• Coordinate media engagement, including press interviews, statements, and media visits, ensuring accurate and effective messaging about CIVIC’s work.

1. Monitoring and Reporting:

• Regularly assess the effectiveness of communications activities and report on results, using qualitative and quantitative metrics.
• Monitor and analyze media coverage, social media engagement, and public opinion to adjust communication tactics as needed.

1. Capacity Building:

• Provide training and mentoring to field teams on effective communications, media engagement, and storytelling.
• Promote the use of innovative tools and approaches for field communications, including social media platforms, mobile technology, and digital tools.

1. Collaboration with Other Teams:

• Collaborate with advocacy, policy, and program teams to ensure coherence in messaging and effective communications.
• Work closely with the development and fundraising teams to tailor communications for donor audiences, highlighting programmatic impact and outcomes.

Requirements/Qualifications

• Humanitarian Experience: Minimum of 3 years of field-based communications experience in humanitarian settings, preferably with a humanitarian NGO or international organization, including crisis situations or conflict zones.
• Strong Storytelling Skills: Proven ability to create compelling narratives that effectively communicate the human impact of civilian protection and humanitarian work. Experience using multimedia content (written, photographic, and video) to tell stories.
• Field Operations Knowledge: A strong understanding of field operations in humanitarian settings, with direct experience in countries affected by conflict or crisis.
• Communication Strategy Development: Experience designing and implementing communication strategies tailored to field operations and programmatic goals, with a focus on digital and social media engagement.
• Crisis Communications: Experience handling sensitive communications in emergency situations and managing rapid-response media outreach.
• Collaboration and Relationship-Building: Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse, cross-functional teams, including field staff, senior leadership, and external partners.
• Multilingual Skills (Preferred): Fluency in English required; proficiency in French &/or Arabic highly desirable.

Personal Attributes

• Proactive and Independent: Ability to take initiative, work autonomously, and demonstrate a high level of resourcefulness in challenging environments.
• Adaptable and Resilient: Flexibility to adapt to the changing needs of conflict settings and the demands of a fast-paced environment.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Demonstrated understanding of and respect for diverse cultural contexts and practices in civilian protection and humanitarian work.
• Team-Oriented: Ability to work effectively as part of a global team, collaborating with colleagues across time zones and geographic locations.
• Results-Oriented: A focus on achieving tangible outcomes, ensuring that communications support operational objectives and the organization’s mission.

Additional Details

• Contract Type: 6-month contract.
• Travel: Significant travel to field locations, including countries in conflict zones, may be required.
• Salary range:
  • The Hague: 3,800€ – 5,000€ depending on experience, plus employee benefits.
  • Geneva: 5,800€ – 6,500€ depending on experience, plus employee benefits.
• The selected candidate must have the right to work in the country of their chosen duty station (The Netherlands or Switzerland).

CIVIC offers a competitive compensation and benefits package that includes a health stipend, a commuter benefit, professional counseling services, a retirement saving match, and generous paid leave plus paid holidays (including the days between Christmas and New Year’s Day).

CIVIC seeks to recruit, develop, and retain top talent with diverse backgrounds in the belief that this is critical to achieving our goals. We strongly encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply.

Note to Recruiters and Placement Agencies: CIVIC does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. CIVIC does not pay placement fees for candidates submitted by any agency other than its approved partners.