IRC is seeking a Senior Editorial Officer to be based in Kasulu and to oversee the responsive information services at the information hubs located within the communities. The Sr Editorial Officer will directly manage 2 information assistants in the camps.

The Signpost Editorial Senior officer’s main responsibilities are helping develop and implement content strategy and assigning, line and copy editing, and approving content for the digital platform, and other Information Education and Communication materials produced. S/he is tasked with ensuring the content is accurate, complete, easy to understand, inclusive of refugees visual or auditive impairment and engaging.

The Editorial Sr officer is also responsible for using our content management system and other tools to work with frontline staff to usher content from the first draft through editing and translation and ultimately to its final, published form. The Editorial Sr officer will also pitch and create content for the Responsive Information Service platform.

Additionally, the Editorial Sr officer will work closely with the Information Manager in Burundi, to collect and compile information about services in Burundi for refugees upon their return.

The Sr Editorial Officer will be line-managed by the Project Manager and work closely with the PRoL team.

Major Responsibilities:

• Ensure content is accurate, complete, easy to understand and engaging.
• Conduct Information needs assessment
• Collaborate with the Senior Protection and Rule of Law Manager and technical advisers to manage information budget lines and ensure the accomplishment of communication objectives
• Develop a content strategy, copy-edited, and approved content for the digital platforms, as well as other educational information and communication materials produced.
•  Edit written and multimedia content created / suggested by frontline staff.
• Publish content in the offline version of the Box content folder.
• Ensure the editorial calendar is up to date.
• Help monitor refugee’s feedback.
• Assist frontline staff with face-to-face responses to refugees.
• Draft reports on Signpost content as assigned.
• Regularly interact with counterpart in Burundi to ensure content about returns is accurate and up to date.
• Develop a digital/ CMS service map including all service providers within refugee camps
• Collaborate with the M&E team to collect, analyze, and share protection concerns data in the refugee camps as well as the host community, through timed protection monitoring activities
• Utilized the organization’s content management system and other tools to work with front-line staff to usher content from the first draft through editing, translation, and ultimately to its final, published forms

Team Collaboration

• Collaborate with the Senior Protection and Rule of Law Manager (ProL) Manager and the PRoL team in Tanzania, the Information Manager in Burundi; as well as with the frontline staff, to manage content across the information hubs.
•  Ensure content is aligned with the content strategy and appropriate for publication.
• Use online tools and other modes of communication to consistently share information with other members of the editorial team.
• Participate in all team meetings, workshops, strategy sessions, regular communications, etc., as established by the Sr PRoL Manager.

Qualifications

Education:

• BA/BS in English, Journalism, Communications, required.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Minimum 3 years editing experience required; sub-editing/copy editing experience strongly desired.
•  Expert-level knowledge of English grammar and usage.
• Working knowledge of French a plus
• Knowledge of online content best practices.
• Knowledge of social media strategy and communication with community practices.
• Experience in Communication with Communities experience a plus
• Experience in a humanitarian organization a plus.
• Ability to draft weekly reports and other project progress reports of high quality.
• Ability to conduct information needs gap assessments in various sectors to inform appropriate intervention and response to people’s queries.
• An understanding of the power and importance of accurate information and the ability to exercise strong judgement in ensuring all answers are accurate.

Language Skills: 

•  Advanced Kiswahili and English language skills, oral and written.
•  Working knowledge of Kirundi and/or French a plus.

Preferred experience & skills:

•  Very strong content editing skills required.
•  Ability to work effectively with a diverse team in a sensitive environment.
• Ability to work independently with remote management.
• Strong interpersonal skills and high emotional intelligence.
• Ability to handle pressure and ambiguity with grace and humor.
• Proven organizational skills.
• Respect for deadlines.
• Strong interest in refugee/humanitarian issues.
• Good news judgment.
• Photo and video skills a plus Proficient in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.)
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with stakeholders at all levels.

 Working Environment:

•  Standard office work environment with field visits to the camps.

The IRC Core Values and Commitments:

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Adult and Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity Anti-Retaliation, and Combating Trafficking in Persons.

Diversity, Inclusion and Gender Equality.

IRC acknowledges and honors the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability. IRC is also committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and other supportive benefits.