JOB DETAILS:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 50 countries and more than 25 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.
Background
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. The IRC has been working in Uganda since 1998 supporting refugees and vulnerable host communities. IRC Uganda has a country office in Kampala and field offices in Arua/Madi Okollo, Kyegegwa, Lamwo, Kiryandongo, Yumbe, and Kampala urban. The current country program portfolio includes health and nutrition, protection and rule of law, women’s protection and empowerment, education, and economic recovery and development.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Signpost operating in Uganda as Tubulire, a Luganda word that means “Tell us” is an innovative digital initiative providing the humanitarian community with a platform to reach refugees, asylum seekers and crisis-affected communities around the world with accessible information. Signpost programming takes a holistic approach to address information needs in Kampala. Signpost is a useful information resource for people in need fosters more in-depth community, more trust, and, most importantly, more utility for its users. Signpost/Tubulire enable refugees and asylum-seekers and vulnerable host community members to put across their questions and concerns and to receive the information they need to make informed choices about their lives in multiple languages.
The IRC seeks to hire a consultant under the project, to help implement content strategy and assigning, line and copy editing, and reviewing content for Signpost’s site/app, blog, and Facebook page.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Signpost Consultant’s main responsibility is to provide technical leadership and support for the Signpost platform and project. In collaboration with the Editorial Officer, this includes helping develop and implement the content strategy and ensuring content is accurate, complete, easy to understand, and engaging. The Signpost Consultant is also responsible for using IRC’s content management system (Contentful) and other tools to work with Field Editors to usher content from the first draft through editing and translation and ultimately to its final, published form. S/he will provide overall leadership on the Signpost strategy and implementation, including use of project management tools to keep the project organized and on track.
Content Management and quality assurance
• Ensure Signpost content is accurate, complete, easy to understand, and engaging.
• Review and edit written and multimedia content created by Signpost staff, including Editorial Officers, moderators, and the service mapping officer.

• Use the Content management software and other tools to prepare content for publication.
Signpost’s content management and distribution strategy.

• Provide leadership and support on the Signpost strategy and project approach, and ensure effective implementation of the project in line with this

• Organize, update, and manage the Signpost style guide.
• Ensure the Signpost editorial calendar is up to date.
Monitoring and reporting
• Monitor website and social media traffic and other relevant feedback to assess content performance and guide on responsive content creation.
• Prepare and write reports on Signpost content and performance.
Social media content creation
• Assist the editorial team with creating and managing posts on platforms like Facebook, TikTok, WhatsApp Channel and Instagram.
• Work with the editorial team to ensure that all content aligns with the content strategy and is suitable for publication.

DELIVERABLES:
• A detailed plan outlining the content strategy for Signpost’s site/app, blog, and Facebook page. This should include content themes, target audience, posting schedule, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• A consistent flow of high-quality content that has been line and copy-edited, reviewed, and published on Signpost’s platforms including Articles and posts for the site/app, Blog entries, and Facebook posts

• Reports on the effectiveness and efficiency of the content workflow, including any identified bottlenecks and suggested improvements.
• Regular reports ensuring that all published content is accurate, complete, and engaging. These reports should highlight any discrepancies or issues and detail the corrective actions taken.
• Analytical reports on the performance of published content including Engagement metrics (likes, shares, comments, etc.) and traffic analytics (page views, time spent on page, etc.).
• Documentation of collaboration with the Editorial Officer and other team members. This includes meeting notes, feedback received and given, and records of decision-making processes.
• A comprehensive final report summarizing the achievements, challenges, and overall impact of the consultant’s work on the project. This should include recommendations for future content strategy and management.

DURATION / PAYMENT
IRC shall make payment every two months in three tranches of delivery and final payments are to be made within 30 days upon completion of deliverables as per the above and receipt of the invoice. The IRC shall pay the Consultant for a maximum of 5 months (October 2024- February 2025).

Requirements:
• BA/BS in English, Journalism, Communications or a field in the humanities desired but not required.
• Minimum 5 years editing experience required; sub-editing/copy editing experience strongly desired.
• Expert-level knowledge of English grammar and usage.
• Experience using a CMS.
• Knowledge of online content best practices.
• Knowledge of social media strategy and content best practices.
• Experience in a humanitarian organization a plus.
• Knowledge of refugee issues in East Africa desired.