Posted On: July 11, 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

JOB DESCRIPTION 2011
External Relations Communications Officer
Action Against Hunger Job Description
Dept. of External Relations : Communications Officer

Department: External Relations
Reports To: Deputy Director, External Relations
Type of position: Full time paid
Time Commitment: 40 hours per week
Headquarters: New York, NY

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. 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 External Relations 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 web articles, profiles, stories, and program updates; write content for fundraising emails; otherwise support ACF’s online communications needs, particularly as the organization seeks to re-design its website

• Print Publications: write and edit articles for a variety of institutional publications, including the quarterly newsletter and annual report

• Multi-Media 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 multi-media 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 third 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
• 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

To Apply

http://www.actionagainsthunger.org