IRDR Communication Officer

Background Information

The International Programme Office (IPO) is located at the Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth (RADI), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Beijing, China. It is the focal point for the coordination and promotion of the IRDR programme. Led by an Executive Director, the IPO has two supporting scientific/technical staff (Science Officer, Communications Officer,) as well as administrative staff. For more information about the IRDR programme please visit the website.

About IRDR

IRDR is a decade-long global, trans-disciplinary and cross-sectoral research programme on disaster risk reduction and resilience building. IRDR is co-sponsored by the International Council for Science (ICSU), the International Social Science Council (ISSC), and the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR). Research and capacity building activities under IRDR address major challenges of natural and human-induced environmental hazards and seek to curb disaster losses through better use of science. IRDR’s four core projects focus on: providing a baseline of the current state of the science on integrated research on disaster risk (AIRDR); examining the underlying and root causes of disasters (FORIN); seeking to improve disaster loss databases (DATA); and investigating Risk Interpretation and Action (RIA). IRDR played a key role in shaping the input of disaster risk reduction science and technology into WCDRR and the Sendai Framework.

Title

Communications Officer

Location

Beijing

Salary

12,000-15,000 RMB / month

Duration / Contract Type

Two years initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability.

Key Responsibilities:

Communications Strategy:

• Help design, implement and regularly adjust multi-annual communications plan (messaging, partnerships, media, etc.).
• Update and implement IRDR visual branding (templates, logos, acronyms, names).
• Build and maintain network with co-sponsors, donors, partners/ potential partners and other organizations in disaster risk field.
• Promote IRDR’s work and brand. Improve IRDR’s reputation in academia, NGOs and governments.

Content Management:

• Website management (content and oversee website design):writing and editing website content, including collecting and revising news items from networks and partners; managing the calendar of events, blogging, uploading announcements and publications, and enhancing social media functions. Develop, improve and maintain website.
• Publications: support editing and preparation and oversee the design and printing of IRDR-related publications (e.g. annual reports, quarterly newsletter, project reports, posters, etc.), including liaising with vendors (graphic designers, printers, etc.), managing stock inventories, and creating and implementing a dissemination plan. Design posters, layouts of publications and reports.
• Photo library: collect and create an image database (IRDR and IRDR-related events; IRDR themes).
• Documentation: archive programme-related documents, including from third-parties. Update documents to specific section on website.

Network Management:

• Contacts database: supervise development of existing database (used for announcements, dissemination, network building), including IRDR
• Social media and email marketing: develop and manage social media accounts (Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook) to keep audiences informed of ongoing activities, events, publications and announcements.
• Media relations: strengthen local and global media network; prepare press releases.

Event Management:

• Oversee/design event collaterals (e.g. announcements, banners, abstract book, booths, posters, etc.), including sponsorship packages for IRDR events, and liaise with partners on dissemination.
• Assist IRDR bodies and the Executive Director in communicating and planning conferences, workshops and other programme activities.

General Communications Support:

• Other communication duties assigned by Executive Director.

Competencies / Expectations

• Professionalism: able to undertake responsibilities at an international programme. Ability to produce accurate and concise communication on complex scientific and societal multi-stakeholder related topics.
• Accountability: takes responsibility to deliver outputs within the agreed time, seeks cost effective solutions and adheres to quality standards. Can navigate within the Chinese media landscape and complies with IRDR IPO and RADI (IRDR’s host) regulations.
• Teamwork: works collaboratively with other staff members to achieve IRDR IPO goals; proactively contributes to improved team performance; actively and creatively expands and the visibility of the programme. Willing to assist and to solicit others’ inputs and expertise; keen to learn from others.
• Planning and Organising: develops clear goals and working routines consistent with long-term strategies; able to prioritise and adjust activities/assignments; and work independently.
• Strong interpersonal and multicultural skills

Requirements

• Language: Excellent command of written and spoken English and Chinese is required; ability to express oneself clearly in a variety of settings. The working language of the IPO and the IRDR Programme is English. Written document, newsletters, etc. must be completely free of mistakes and well written. Very good or excellent spoken Mandarin is essential for presentations, engagement with the media and partners, and exchanges with vendors etc.
• Education: Master’s degree in communications, (science) journalism, public/business administration, international relations, development studies, or another relevant field.
• Experience: a minimum of three years of related experience in public affairs and/or journalism, including working with international /intergovernmental organisations and/or science and/or development actors. Familiarity with creating and implementing a communications plan in a complex multi-stakeholder environment is an asset.
• Knowledge: of communication and journalism principles as well as website management and social media is essential. An understanding of current issues in disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and Sustainable Development Goals is desirable; evidence of communication experience in this field is an asset. Knowledge of html, css, and php is very desirable.
• Technical Skills: proficient and versatile use of software programmes (MS Office Suite; Adobe Suite (especially Acrobat, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop) and video editing software; ability to learn to use new programs quickly; experience in website management; be familiar with WordPress and related software/plugins (such as Jetpack, Google analytics etc.); good at website design; proficient use of social media platforms and other e-dissemination tools (such as Mailchimp), etc.