Communications Officer Vacancy
The Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Gl-ESCR) is a non- governmental organization that believes transformative change to end endemic problems of social and economic injustice is possible through a human rights lens. Our vision is of a world where the human rights framework reflects the real- world experiences of all of us, effectively furthering social and economic justice and human dignity, and catalysing change from the local to the global, back to the local.
Our Mission is:
Strengthen the international human rights framework through creative standard-setting, so that the framework reflects the experiences, needs and aspirations of marginalised individuals, groups and communities, with a focus on creating beneficial jurisprudence aimed at transformative change.
Mobilise and partner with advocates, social movements and grassroots communities at national and local levels to more effectively claim and enforce economic, social and cultural (ESC) rights, including by engaging regional and international mechanisms for local impact.
Contribute to the effective promotion and realisation of ESC rights so that everyone can fully enjoy their ESC rights in practice, without discrimination and on the basis of equality.
Provide innovative tools and resources to ESC rights advocates and civil society actors, policy makers, development actors and others on the practical implementation and realization of ESC rights.
Identify, respond to and provide thought leadership on emerging trends and threats to ESC rights.
Monitor and strengthen the international human rights mechanisms to ensure that they are accessible to ESC rights advocates and rights holders and effective mechanisms for ESC rights monitoring and accountability and facilitate and support civil society engagement with those bodies.
For further information about GI-ESCR work, mission, and values you may visit our website at www.gi-escr.org/
Effective communications are essential for strong advocacy and for meaningful engagement with partners, key stakeholders, communities and right-holders, as well as with regional and international organizations and forums. They are also essential for narrative-setting, policymaking, and to ensure accountability. In that line, GI-ESCR has increased its communications capacity over the past few years significantly improving its communication strategy and policies. We would like to enhance that capacity by recruiting a full time Communications Officer who can continue strengthening our communications, manage our website, campaigns and presence on social media to maintain and develop GI-ESCR’s position as a leading advocacy organisation in the field of economic, social and cultural rights.
General Position Information
Job Title: Communications Officer.
Location: Flexible to work remotely, with a preference for Mexico City, Dakar, Nairobi, Geneva, or Brussels.
Commitment: full time, 40 hours a week.
Salary Range: 2,000 USD to 3,000 USD gross per month, negotiable, depending on level of experience and location.
Benefits: Health issuance contribution; 25 days of annual leave and to 10 days of public holidays.
Deadline for applications: 18 May 2020, 23.59 hrs. (Mexico City: UTC/GMT -6 hrs.)
Start Date: As soon as possible.
Duration: One-year contract with possibility of extension, depending on funding.
Probation period: 3 months.
Job Profile:
GI-ESCR is seeking to recruit a committed and creative Communications Officer who, under the broad guidance of the Executive Director, will assume primary responsibility for planning, developing, and implementing a comprehensive communications strategy to promote GI-ESCR’s mission and goals. The Communications Officer will also be responsible for managing GI-ESCR’s social media, measuring the impact of our communications strategies and campaigns, and editing and proof-reading GI-ESCR’s written materials. S/he will additionally be in charge of internal communication and reporting to donors.
Required Skills and Qualifications
Advanced university degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or related fields (or an undergraduate degree plus at least 5 years of demonstrated professional experience in the field of journalism, communications, foreign relations, public affairs, public relations or corporate communications).
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is an asset, and Spanish is desirable.
Exceptional writing and editing skills.
Detail oriented. Attention to detail is central to the position.
Able to work under pressure. Being able to read and edit quickly without sacrificing quality.
Ability to multitask and work independently, as well as part of a team.
Advanced proficiency in computer programs including MS Office applications is required.
Ability to create simple videos and infographics is an asset. Proficiency using programs such as Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Mailchimp, Canva, Premiere Pro and Audition are desirable.
Experience working remotely and with staff from diverse backgrounds and located in various time zones.
Professional knowledge of the use of social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & Youtube) as part of an effective campaigning and communication strategy is required.
Adept at leading communications, campaigns and advocacy strategy development from conceptualisation to completion, balancing long-term strategic thinking with short-term tactical actions and analysis.
Ability to create and operationalise innovative approaches to communications and advocacy strategies in support of GI-ESCR’s mission and goals.
Strong political analysis and understanding of the international human rights framework and advocacy and campaigning activities.
Capacity to turn complex and technical language into appropriate messaging for a range of audiences and have experience delivering communications using a variety of channels aiming at 'hard to reach' target groups.
Understanding of communications and advocacy reporting, measurement and analysis.
Related Skills and Knowledge
Creativity, initiative, follow-through, attention to detail, ability to work independently and as part of a larger team.
Demonstrated commitment to human rights and/or international issues is highly desirable.
Prior office experience and strong organizational skills are required.
The ability to work well under pressure and to manage multiple priorities while working effectively toward deadlines is required.
Strong interpersonal skills in order to work collaboratively within GI-ESCR as well as with external partners are required.
Ability to make assertive and sound decisions consistent with functions is required.
Additional working knowledge of Spanish and/or French would be an asset.
Experience working in human rights organizations and in fields related to social justice.
Expertise in advocacy, campaigning or journalism that supports and elevates voices of social movements and vulnerable groups and communities.
Development of visual materials, comparative data analysis with graphs and design skills, or strong creativity and interest to learn and develop these abilities.
Experience working in a matrix-type organization.
Work Experience
Five to seven years of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in communications, print media, broadcast, and/or new media. International and national work experience.
Previous experience in communications for human rights organisations, international organisations or in social justice fields is an asset.
High-level professional experience in proof-reading and editing work in English.
Essential Duties + Responsibilities
Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Communications Strategy
Provide strategic leadership and vision of communications approaches that advance GI-ESCR’s mission and objectives.
Develop, maintain and update GI-ESCR’s communications strategy and associated work plan with short- and long-term targets and objectives. Monitor its implementation with concrete and realistic indicators that align with GI-ESCR’s mission and values.
Work with GI-ESCR staff to determine communications needs and establish a culture in which communications work is fully integrated into all GI-ESCR programs and activities.
Promote and disseminate, targeting strategic audiences, GI-ESCR’s reports and products, editing and proof-reading internal and external materials.
Organisational Communication
Manage GI-ESCR’s public identity to ensure mission, brand, and message continuity, coherence, integrity, and effectiveness.
Ensure communications activities and materials are aligned with GI-ESCR’s visual identity, as well as with its mission, vision, core values, and strategies.
Occasionally commission and manage external providers to undertake design, audio-visual or other work necessary to improve communications.
Social Media and Publications
Manage the development of GI-ESCR’s presence on social media and GI-ESCR’s social media accounts.
Produce strategic social media content, in liaison with the respective program officers.
Update webpages and social media sites.
Coordinate the logistics and organisation of media and campaigning events such as press briefings.
Support the design, development and implementation of campaigns, including social media strategies.
Proof-read, format, and distribute materials; assist with editing content in English (news releases, op-eds, briefs, web and social media content), and if possible, in French and/or Spanish.
Assist with the preparation of external publications and reports.
Networking and partnerships
Maintain, update and further develop GI-ESC’s partners’ contact lists, databases and mailing lists.
Help establish, document, review, and refine working processes for collaborative work with partners, including meetings, joint projects, information sharing, etc.
Ensure and further enhance the quality, consistency, and appropriateness of communication materials, activities, processes, strategies, and messages shared with partners.
Editing and Proof-reading
Proof-read written documents and publications
Collaborate with team members, attend team meetings, provide constructive editorial and design input, and communicate with team members to deliver consistent, accurate, and high-quality work product.
Collecting impact
Collaborate with team members, to internally collect the impact of GI-ESCR’s work and develop materials for their internal and external dissemination.
Donor Reports and materials
Support preparation of background materials, grant applications, briefs and information kits for donors and funding entities.
Assist with drafting of narrative reports to donors, in liaison with the relevant program officers.
Events and Campaigns
Assist in organising and generating public support for special projects, events, and campaigns.
Support the organisation of workshops, seminars, campaigns, events and project review meetings, including agendas and meeting minutes, and logistical support.
Perform any other related duties and tasks as assigned.
How to Apply + Selection Process
Please apply by 18 May 2020, 23.59 hrs. (Mexico City: UTC/GMT -6 hrs.) by filling-in the form, and uploading your CV and cover letter at: https://bit.ly/GIcommsrecruit. We will not accept any other way to apply.
Please contact us at info@gi-escr.org should you require further information on this employment opportunity. For inquiries about the conditions of the vacancy, please write in the title of your message: “Inquiry: Communications Officer”.
Selection Process
The selection process will have the following phases:
Submission and review of applications
Shortlisting of candidates. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an online interview.
Interviews and a brief practical exam on communications tools and strategies will be conducted for all shortlisted applicants.
Notification of the successful applicant.
We kindly request not to call or send inquiries by email to request information about the progress of your application. Only complete applications and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
GI-ESCR is committed with the principle of equality of opportunity in employment, therefore, applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.