Description
MISSION:
The mission of The Center for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE) is to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights as a means to achieve gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls by shaping public discourse, elevating women’s voices, and influencing the United States Government.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Director of Communications plays a key role in developing and implementing strategic communications plans for the organization and securing high visibility of CHANGE among key audiences including the media, opinion leaders, policy makers, colleague organizations, and foundations and will work with relevant staff on the production of high quality publications and other materials that position CHANGE as a key source of analysis on sexual and reproductive health and rights and U.S. foreign policy and assistance. The Director of Communications is also responsible for developing and managing communications with individual donors through CHANGE’s annual report and appeals, annual fundraiser, and other individual donor outreach activities. This position reports to the President of CHANGE.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Communications
- Work closely with the President and staff across the organization to develop, lead, and execute an internal and external communications strategy and editorial calendar that increases the awareness of CHANGE’s work, achieves sustained growth revenue, and inspires community members to take action on behalf of CHANGE initiatives.
- Provide leadership for strategic communications and public relations functions assuring a consistent communications strategy, messaging, and branding, and ensures CHANGE is well represented in local, national, and international media outlets. Develop and implement innovative approaches to engaging and energizing CHANGE’s individual donor base.
- Create opportunities to highlight the organization’s research and thought leadership in print, broadcast and electronic media. Build and maintain relationships with key reporters covering relevant issues and secure high-level media coverage.
- Provide a consistent, high-quality public image of the organization, including by acting as point of contact for media inquiries, and ensuring organization-wide adherence to CHANGE messages and style for all communications and program materials for external distribution.
- Direct and manage organizational efforts to ensure timely preparation of high quality communications materials including but not limited to press releases, op-eds, fact sheets, website content, blog posts, white papers, speeches, and talking points. Work with staff on research and analysis using a variety of resources to develop appropriate messages and products.
- Ghostwrite blogs and op/eds with short notice and on tight deadlines.
- Serve as CHANGE spokesperson as necessary.
- Direct and manage the development of content for social networking sites; collaborate with policy and advocacy staff to ensure coordinated strategy and protocols for content placement.
- Track impact of press outreach; maintain institutional records for media outreach, media appearances (print, radio, and web), social media; maintain files for external correspondence and organizational feedback.
- Direct and manage the maintenance of CHANGE’s website and internet presence as an invaluable source of information on issues related to SRHR and U.S. foreign policy and assistance for the general public, media, academics, activists and other organizations that support CHANGE’s mission.
- Develop and implement crisis communications plans, as needed.
- Propose and manage communications and external affairs budgets to ensure effective use of organizational resources.
External Affairs
- Demonstrate leadership in key Washington, D.C.-based global health and development communications and public affairs coalitions and partnerships; represent the organization at key events.
- Create and execute a strategy for using events and professional conferences to advance the organization’s thought leadership among target audiences; organize and oversee the success of speaking opportunities, conference communications, events, and exhibits.
- Monitor and provide accurate assessments of external developments and proactively provide strategic information to internal stakeholders about implications of or opportunities for organization communications, working closely with the Director of Public Policy and Management Team.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, plus at least ten years substantive communications experience, including developing and implementing strategic communications plans and writing and editing a range of materials.
- Proven track record in developing and leading clear, targeted branding and marketing strategies tailored for difference audiences.
- Demonstrated knowledge of and existing relationships with key reporters and bloggers.
- Proven track record with placement of news articles, op-eds and blogs.
- Experience with developing and maintaining relationships with donors, public policy decision makers, staff at all levels, partners, a Board of Directors; and in the ability to build bridges among key constituents. Must be a collaborative relationship-builder.
- Outstanding writing and editing skills.
- Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information and present in clear and concise, readable manner for a variety of audiences.
- Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects at once.
- Ability to function in fast paced, demanding environment.
- Broad working knowledge of sexual and reproductive health and rights issues, including HIV and AIDS and human rights issues.
- A demonstrated commitment to women’s rights and public health and a strong commitment to the organization’s mission and to high-level performance are essential.
SALARY & BENEFITS:
CHANGE offers competitive salary and an exceptional benefits package.
How to apply: Please send a cover letter including a summary of relevant past experience and qualifications for and interest in this position, current résumé, one analytical writing sample and one press release. No phone calls please!
Send application materials to: settleson@gmail.com (Please put “ CHANGE, Director of Communications” in subject line), or mail to:
Human Resources
Center for Health and Gender Equity
1317 F Street, NW, Suite 400
Washington, D.C. 20004
The Center for Health and Gender Equity is an equal opportunity employer.
To learn more about CHANGE, please visit www.genderhealth.org.