Communication Officer

• Under the supervision of the Cotabato Head of Sub-Structure (HoSS) and in coordination with the Communication Manager, defines the communication strategies and plans of action in line with the substructure’s operational priorities and the delegation’s communication strategy.
• Responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating communication activities for the area of responsibility (AoR) of Cotabato linked to operational communication, community engagement, public/ digital communication, media relations, production/distribution, and information analysis/environment scanning, while closely monitoring the use of the communication budget in the AoR.
  • Serves as the lead for operational communication to ensure coherent messages are passed, including crafting of key messages and if need be, translation to local language/s;
  • Contributes to the production of communication tools/materials needed by the AoR;
  • Organizes communication-led events such as dissemination sessions for communities and local government unit or training/ orientations/ briefings for local media; 
  • Pitches story angles, handles local media relations and organizes/accommodates local media interviews and requests in the AoR whenever possible; prepares reactive lines in coordination with HoSS, Communication Manager and the Public Relations Officer; 
  • Maintains updated mapping and database of local media and other COM interlocutors and ensures timely and accurate dispatch of relevant information and materials; 
  • Provides audio-visual content for ICRC's digital platforms and works with the Communication team in Manila to package it;
  • Produces environment scanning reports covering local news – intervals to be agreed with HoSS.
  • Consolidates the sub-structure’s field production book needs with the support of the production officer in Manila.

• Internally, interacts in the field with the Head(s) of Sub-Structure and/or Communication or Communication/Prevention Manager, heads of department in the field sub-structure(s) and/or delegation coordinators; and, at headquarters, when relevant, with technical reference persons from the Department of Communication and Information Management and the Department of International Law and Policy.
• Externally, interacts with local authorities, NGOs, local community leaders, media, and civil society representatives.

• University degree or equivalent in a relevant field such as communications, political science, international relations or journalism.
• Masteral or other post-graduate degree an asset.
• Fluent in oral and written English and Filipino; proficiency in Bisaya, Maguindanaoan or Maranao an asset.
• Excellent communication and networking skills.
• Computer skills (proficiency in MS Office); familiarity with online and social media communication tools.
• Minimum 5-7 years work experience in the communication field, preferably with an INGO/ NGO
• Experience in working with the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement a strong asset.
• Sound knowledge of the political, social and media environment.
• Works well under pressure and during crisis.

Qualified applicants are requested to submit their comprehensive and updated resume along with their motivation letter. Only applications received through the career page link will be pre-screened/processed.

Deadline of application: 17 May 2026
Target Start Date: Immediately