Posted On: June 28, 2011

Media-Related Job

Media Organization: Action Against Hunger

Company Description

Action Against Hunger | ACF International is a global humanitarian organization committed to ending world hunger. Recognized as a leader in the fight against malnutrition, ACF works to save the lives of malnourished children while providing communities with access to safe water and sustainable solutions to hunger. With 30 years of expertise in emergency situations of conflict, natural disaster, and chronic food insecurity, ACF runs life-saving programs in over 40 countries benefitting some five million people each year.

Job Description

Description

PURPOSE OF POSITION

Summary:

Action Against Hunger’s External Relations Dept. seeks a Communications Officer to coordinate media outreach, cultivate press relations, support public relations efforts, and write and edit a range of communications materials. ACF seeks an innovative applicant who can thrive in a fast-paced environment while helping the organization enhance its external communications objectives. Like ACF itself, the External Relations Dept. is constantly growing and evolving to meet the organization’s expanding needs. The External Relations Dept. thrives on teamwork, encourages personal initiative, and offers opportunities for career advancement and a chance to develop new skills.

Objective:

The Communications Officer supports ACF’s humanitarian mandate by helping to position the agency as a leading resource on global malnutrition, enhancing ACF’s visibility in the media, and producing quality print and online content for a range of audiences. The Communications Officer coordinates with the Director of External Relations and its Deputy Director to publish professional content, design and implement communications strategies, and develop and deliver clear messaging for educational efforts, online fundraising, and outreach purposes.

Salary: D.O.E.; Dental and Health Care; generous vacation package

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Develop & Manage ACF Communications Assets

Routine Communications Materials: write, edit, and vet press releases, letters-to-the-editor, op-eds, talking points, public speeches, and other routine institutional communications
Email & Web Content: produce a range of online content—web articles, human interest stories, and program updates; write copy and suggest content for fundraising emails; and provide messaging, copyediting, and other support for ACF’s various online communications needs.
Print Publications: write and edit articles for a variety of institutional publications, including a quarterly newsletter, annual reports, institutional presentations and messaging.
Multimedia Content: Write and edit video and audio scripts documenting the impact of ACF’s humanitarian programs; coordinate video production in the field; and support other multimedia efforts as needs arise.

Develop & Manage Public Relations Tools & Infrastructure

Press Relations: arrange interviews with headquarters and field staff; pitch profiles and stories to journalists and bloggers; create media strategies; and respond to general press inquiries.
Manage and Develop Press Database: manage ACF’s media database; provide oversight on the building of targeted press lists and the dissemination of ACF press statements
Develop Public Relations Collateral: strengthen ACF’s identity and public reputation by clarifying policy positions and developing institutional messaging on core issues
Support Media Training for Field Staff: provide media training for field and headquarters staff; brief and prepare staff for interviews.

Other Duties

Manage Communications Staff: recruit, hire, and manage Communications interns; supervise a Communications Associate to be hired in the fourth quarter of 2011.
Act as an Internal Resource to ACF: attend weekly meetings of operations staff on program updates in the field; act as a resource to the External Relations Department and to other ACF headquarters on ACF-USA programs
Liaise with Field & Headquarter Staff: provide regular updates to field staff on Communications matters; coordinate with other ACF headquarters on press releases, feature stories, and a variety of other communications initiatives.

Requirements

Minimum four years experience in public relations or communications; or some combination as a journalist and PR/communications practitioner
Demonstrated success in conceiving and executing public relations efforts
Portfolio of professional writing samples
Bachelor’s degree; journalism major preferred and/or master’s level communications degree
Attentive to detail with excellent verbal and written communications skills
Works well independently with direction from others
Willing to stay abreast of professional standards, trends and issues affecting this set of responsibilities

Preferred

Knowledge of French and/or Spanish
Demonstrated experience with blogs
Knowledge of the humanitarian field
Video production/editing skills

Performance Expectations

Flexible, diligent and high integrity professional
Works well within a team setting and with others
Able to negotiate positively with others
Ability to learn and be productive quickly
Passionate about the organization and enjoys problem solving
Able to effectively prioritize multiple tasks
Actively contribute to the growth of Action Against Hunger
Desire to help build a world-class organization

Application Deadline: July 31, 2011
Employment Type
Full Time
Min. Experience
Mid Level

To Apply

www.actionagainsthunger.org