Finnish Red Cross in partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross is seeking a Safer Access Framework (SAF) Communication Adviser to Afghanistan. Initial mission length is 12 months with possible extension. Starting date is preferably 1.1.2027. Please apply by Wednesday, 30 September 2026.

Background

The Finnish Red Cross (FRC) supports its partner Red Cross and Red Crescent (RCRC) National Societies (NS) in reaching out to the most hard-to-access populations and people living in countries of protracted crisis with Safer Access Framework (SAF) approach in partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). SAF is a set of interlinked elements designed to increase the National Societies’ acceptance among different stakeholders, their security and access to communities in vulnerable positions. This is done via strategic and consistent communication to maintain their image as neutral, impartial, and independent humanitarian actors.

The SAF Communication Adviser is a joint FRC and ICRC position to support National Societies operating in sensitive and insecure environments such as protracted crisis and conflicts in communication for access, acceptance/trust and security (SAF Comms) which may encompass different types of communication (e.g. operational communication, crisis communications, coordinated Movement media engagement, etc.). The support is implemented in contexts where there is a need of additional RCRC Movement resources to develop SAF Comms and where FRC’s and ICRC’s complementary expertise and mandate can have added value in strengthening the capacity of the National Society’s staff and volunteer networks to carry out their communication work (from identity management to reinforcing awareness of Fundamental Principles, etc.), and achieve greater access to, and impact for affected people.

The SAF Communication Adviser will be seconded by FRC and based in the ICRC Delegation in Kabul, Afghanistan, and will closely work with the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) to strengthen the capacities and system of the ARCS Communication Department in different communication functions as agreed between the ICRC and FRC. The delegate will be an integral part of the ICRC Delegation’s Cooperation Department. S/he will also work closely with other relevant departments of the ICRC Delegation (particularly with, but not limited to, the Communications Department) and with FRC focal points both in headquarters (HQ) and at regional level to ensure complementarity and mainstreaming with other SAF initiatives. This initiative follows ICRC operational and strategic planning priorities in Afghanistan and globally for 2027, and is consistent with FRC’s commitment to strengthening the capacities of the ARCS in delivering humanitarian services in complex and insecure environment.

Purpose

The work of SAF Communication Adviser involves extensive engagement with ARCS staff and volunteers. The delegate will support the ARCS in different aspects of SAF Comms (e.g. but not limited to, operational and crisis communication) as per the elements identified in a previous scoping analysis and on a specific SAF Comms Plan of Action (PoA).

The SAF Communication Adviser is expected to have an advisory role in relation to the ARCS and within ICRC Delegation, while focusing on the strengthening of the ARCS Communication department’s capacities and existing strategies, policies and systems. The role will include the management of a joint capacity building plan, providing guidance on a strategic level, establishing and reviewing strategies/policies and guidelines, as well as coaching and training of National Society staff and volunteers to ensure ownership and sustainability of the implemented activities. The role will support ARCS capacity building efforts at national HQ, Regional level and branches.

The Cooperation Coordinator of the ICRC Afghanistan Delegation will be the line manager and supervisor of the delegate, while the Delegate will also work in close coordination with the ICRC Communication Coordinator. The SAF Communication Adviser will work closely together with the FRC HQ SAF Lead and the wider, global team of persons working on the SAF Communications file within the FRC. Linkages with FRC’s cooperation portfolio with ARCS will be coordinated with the FRC Head of Region based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The technical support will be conducted in line with the Movement’s policies, standards, tools and best practices. The results of previous years of cooperation in Afghanistan and experiences from other contexts on best practices and modalities in terms of communication for access, acceptance/trust and security (as part of the global cooperation on SAF comms between FRC and ICRC) will be applied as appropriate.

Main Responsibilities

• To lead, in coordination with the ICRC Movement Cooperation and Communications Coordinators, the scale-up and consolidation of the ARCS/FRC/ICRC joint SAF Communications capacity strengthening plan.
• To to facilitate and support the ARCS in revising/updating its capacity and needs assessments in SAF Comms, identify new priorities and based on the findings, to update the SAF COM strengthening PoA, in line with the ARCS’ existing Strategic and NSD plans.
• To provide technical support and advice to the ARCS’ Communication Director and the ARCS SAF Steering Committee, and relevant staff, in the implementation of the SAF Communication strengthening PoA; including developing adequate monitoring and quality control practices, and development and application of contextualized tools.
• To provide direct technical assistance, advice and coaching or facilitating the provision of technical assistance by others, in:
  • Continuous and systematic identification of challenges in perception, acceptance, and access to affected populations (e.g., through information gained from perception studies, media surveys, security assessments, etc.) as they arise; and to propose mitigation measures;
  • Ensuring that the ARCS crisis communication policy is well disseminated, understood and implemented at the Regional and Branches’ levels.
  • Consolidation of improvements of social media management capacities of the ARCS and dissemination at different levels (headquarters, regional offices, branches, volunteer groups), particularly as they relate to operational and crisis communication.
• To work closely with the ICRC Movement Cooperation team to ensure SAF COM is well mainstreamed within other SAF programmes (e.g. SAF Security and Risk Management) and the Partnership file between the ICRC and the ARCS.
• To provide guidance, technical support and coaching to the ICRC Operational Communications Officer and the Movement Cooperation Officer in order to ensure coherence and synergies, and to ensure consistency in the support to ARCS.
• To ensure that relevant gender, inclusion and protection considerations are taken into account in the roll-out of the ICRC/FRC’s joint SAF Communication strengthening support to ARCS.
• To provide on-the-job coaching and training for the strengthening of the ARCS’ communication structures and systems in the areas relevant to the SAF Communication PoA.
• To support the ARCS Communication department to ensure good coordination with IFRC, and other relevant partners, to promote coherence in wider communications development.
• In coordination with the ICRC Movement Cooperation team, to support and promote effective alignment and integration of SAF into ARCS National Society Development (NSD) and institutional preparedness plans.
• To contribute, as required, to in-country/regional Movement coordination and cooperation within the area of SAF Communications to foster coherence in wider communications’ development support.
• Support the global FRC SAF Coordination file with participation in relevant internal development activities, cross-regional learning, training and support missions as separately agreed between ICRC line manager and FRC SAF Lead.

Specific duties, responsibilities and accountabilities

• To work in full adherence to the Movement Principles.
• To work towards the achievement of the defined goals and objectives.

Reporting

• Ensure that lessons learnt and good practice from the ICRC and FRC partnership are compiled and used further to improve future planning, programming and implementation of other relevant initiatives, and that these lessons learnt are shared within the ICRC and FRC for wider dissemination and mainstreaming.
• Support ARCS to prepare regular technical progress reports as stipulated in the Cooperation agreement between the ARCS, the ICRC and FRC.
• Draft internal technical and management reports as required by ICRC and FRC.

Target Profile

1. Education

• University degree in relevant field (professional qualifications in Journalism, Communications, or similar field)

2. Experience

• At least 5 years of relevant experience, preferably in the humanitarian sector in a position related to communications, including crisis communication and/or social media management related duties.
• Experience in capacity building, training and coaching of (international) partner organisations and its staff and volunteers.
• Experience in building organisational capacities in crisis communications or social media management in difficult contexts is an asset.
• Experience in working or volunteering in Civil Society organisation, preferably within the Red Cross Movement

3. Skills and knowledge

• Capacity to plan and facilitate trainings and to develop tools, materials and methods.
• Capacity to develop tools, methods and strategies and facilitate learning by conducting/commissioning assessments, analysis, evaluations etc.
• Capacity to coach and mentor a partner.
• Project management skills and proven skills in financial and narrative reporting.
• Good communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Intercultural and gender sensitivity.
• Self-supporting in computers.
• Flexible, able to adapt to changing working conditions.
• Knowledge of the Movement and specifically ICRC’s work and structures (particularly related to communication) is an asset

4. Languages

• Fluent in written and spoken English. Knowledge of Farsi and/or Arabic is a distinct advantage.

5. Competencies

• National Society relations
• Teamwork
• Coaching and mentoring
• Results focused and accountability
• Communication
• Professional standards
• Managerial effectiveness