Communications Department Support Officer

Islamic Relief South Africa (IRSA), the South African branch of Islamic Relief Worldwide, is a faith-based humanitarian and development agency operating in over 45 countries, seeks a Communications Department Support Officer for its Western Cape (Cape Town) office. This is a one-year fixed-term contract role reporting to the Head of Communications.

Role Overview

This position serves as the operational backbone of the communications and marketing department, managing administrative workflows, project coordination, budget tracking, and vendor relationships. You will ensure smooth day-to-day operations and enable the creative and digital teams to deliver their work effectively.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement, Finance & Budgets

• Prepare, process, and track all procurement documentation (purchase requisitions, quotations, purchase orders) for the Communications Department
• Liaise with Finance to ensure supplier invoices, reimbursements, and payments are processed on time
• Maintain accurate budget trackers for campaigns, projects, and departmental spending; flag variances to the Head of Department
• Ensure compliance with IRSA procurement and finance policies; maintain clear and accessible records of supporting documentation
• Support budget submissions, forecasts, and expenditure reports for monthly and annual reviews
• Serve as administrative focal point between Communications, Procurement, and Finance

Campaign & Project Coordination

• Lead and coordinate administration for campaigns from initial stages through delivery
• Manage multiple concurrent projects; ensure they meet briefs, budgets, resources, and deadlines
• Keep all parties informed of project progress, issues, and updates
• Prepare daily priority lists, weekly status reports, and planning documents for the team
• Develop work schedules to ensure timely delivery
• Communicate potential problems early and recommend solutions
• Support annual planning processes and departmental strategy development
• Manage external service provider relationships (radio stations, TV channels, freelancers)
• Oversee project resources and assist with managing freelance requirements and bookings
• Hold regular production meetings and status updates
• Provide operational Asana project management support across the organization
• Support the Head of Department, Content Creation Coordinator, and Marketing Coordinator with administrative tasks

What You'll Contribute

You will strengthen the Communications Department by ensuring all operations, projects, and creative work flow smoothly, enabling design, content, and digital teams to focus on their core functions.