METAL Communications Officer

Position description

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive, recover, and gain control of their future.

We aim to make our programs a model for the highest global standards and to cultivate power and lasting change not just for our clients but for all people affected by humanitarian crises. To achieve that vision, the IRC’s Technical Excellence (TE) group, located within the Crisis Response, Recovery and Development (CRRD) Department, provides technical assistance to IRC’s country program staff and shares what we learn to influence policy and practice.

IRC’s Technical Excellence team is comprised of technical units which have deep expertise in their respective fields: Education, Economic Wellbeing, Health, Violence Prevention and Response, Monitoring Evaluation Technology Accountability & Learning (METAL).

Monitoring, Evaluation, Technology, Accountability, and Learning (METAL) at the IRC:

To ensure that we are effectively carrying out our mission, we have committed to implement outcome-driven and evidence-based programs, measure what we achieve, act on what we learn, and generate new and relevant evidence. We support teams to produce high-quality data that can inform program design and strategic decision-making while also meeting donor requirements.

Job Overview

The METAL Communications Officer will lead a short-term effort to strengthen and unify communications, knowledge management, and learning across the METAL Unit (Monitoring, Evaluation, Technology, Accountability and Learning). The role will deliver a clear communications strategy, a redesigned internal knowledge hub, and a strong external presence that positions IRC’s program‑led data and technology work for staff, donors, and sector peers.

This is a hands-on role combining strategic communications leadership with content development, coordination, and facilitation across a global organization.

Major Responsibilities:

Internal knowledge management and RescueNet redesign

• Redesign and restructure METAL’s internal RescueNet pages into a clear, intuitive, and accessible hub.
• Audit and map all existing content, including tools, guidance, onboarding materials, blogs, and learning resources.
• Design and implement a new information architecture aligned with METAL’s structure, services, and strategy.
• Refresh and populate pages for METAL sub-teams, service offerings, key resources, and strategic initiatives.
• Integrate program technology content, approved tools, and demand pipelines.
• Ensure the platform supports ongoing learning series and recurring communications.

Unified METAL communications strategy

• Consolidate existing MEAL and Technology for Programs (T4P) communications strategies into a single METAL Communications Strategy.
• Identify gaps, overlaps, and opportunities across current communications approaches.
• Develop a unified messaging framework for internal and external audiences.
• Create an integrated editorial calendar and content plan supporting learning, uptake of tools, and external positioning.
• Establish a consistent tone, style, and identity for METAL communications.
• Define practical success metrics and monitoring approaches.

External-facing program-led technology and data presence

• Develop and launch an external-facing webpage showcasing IRC’s program-led technology and data approach.
• Audit and adapt existing case studies, impact stories, visuals, and learning products for external use.
• Develop site structure and core content for launch (approach, sector solutions, impact, partnerships, insights, contact).
• Produce impact stories and foundational thought leadership content.
• Create downloadable resources for donor and partner audiences.
• Coordinate with the web team to build, test, and launch the site, ensuring accessibility and quality.
• Plan a phased launch and define an ongoing external content cadence.

Communications launch and foundational products

• Update and maintain internal listservs and distribution lists.
• Produce initial editions of recurring communications products to build momentum.
• Draft foundational internal content introducing METAL and showcasing learning and data use in practice.
• Develop templates, style guides, and reusable formats to support sustainability.
• Create role-based messaging and visual materials to support METAL awareness and engagement.

Meeting coordination and communities of practice

• Coordinate and facilitate METAL’s recurring meetings, including all-team sessions, thematic deep dives, and the MEAL Community of Practice.
• Plan agendas with senior leadership and technical leads; coordinate presenters and materials.
• Document key takeaways and follow-up actions; maintain a forward-looking meeting calendar.
• Relaunch and sustain an inclusive MEAL Community of Practice with a curated content pipeline.

Qualifications

What success looks like

• METAL has a clear, unified communications strategy used by teams across the organization.
• Staff can easily find and use METAL tools and learning resources through a well-structured internal hub.
• IRC’s program-led technology and data work is clearly positioned for donors and sector peers.
• Sustainable communications products, templates, and rhythms are in place.
• METAL meetings and communities of practice are purposeful, well-attended, and valued.

Key Working Relationships:

Position reports to: Senior Director, METAL

Close collaboration with: Deputy Director, METAL, MEAL Global Practice Lead, Program Technology Innovation team, Program Technology at Scale Lead

Required experience and capabilities

• Demonstrated experience leading internal communications strategies in complex, global organizations.
• Strong background in knowledge management, intranet redesign, or information architecture.
• Excellent writing and editorial skills, with the ability to translate technical content into clear, engaging language.
• Experience producing newsletters, blogs, infographics, and campaign-style communications.
• Familiarity with monitoring, evaluation, learning, data, and technology concepts in humanitarian or development contexts.
• Experience managing content on intranet or portal platforms.
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams independently and deliver to deadlines in a remote environment.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, facilitation, and coordination skills.
• Experience supporting recurring meetings or communities of practice.
• Fluency in English.

Highly desirable:

• Experience with program technology or digital tools in humanitarian settings.
• External or donor-facing communications experience.
• Graphic design skills for visual communications.
• Familiarity with IRC systems or culture.
• Additional language skills (French, Spanish, or Arabic).

Working Environment:

This is a short-term assignment of approximately 6 months. Open to remote from within the US, with expected overlap with core working hours across multiple time zones to facilitate collaboration with the METAL team.

Compensation: ($73,000 - $82,000) Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

Application instructions

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