Founded in 1993, Women for Women International provides women survivors of war, civil strife and other conflicts with the tools and resources needed to move from crisis and poverty to stability and self-sufficiency, thereby promoting viable civil societies. WfWI has distributed millions of dollars in aid and micro-credit loans and has provided its multi-faceted core program of direct aid, emotional support, rights and leadership education, job skills training and small business development to thousands of women worldwide. WfWI works with socially-excluded women in eight countries around the world, and is currently enjoying rapid growth and expansion as we scale-up to encompass a new level of efficacy globally.
Positions/Application Procedure
1. Director of Communications: Please apply by sending CV and cover letter to humanresources@ womenforwomen. org and ratalla@womenforwom en.org on or before August 15th, 2008
2. Communications Officer Please submit three writing samples (press release, article, speech, briefing paper, etc,) 2-3 pages each and cover letter via e-mail (preferred), fax or regular mail to:
ATTN: HUMAN RESOURCES
Women for Women International
4455 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20008
Fax: 202.737-7709
*E-mail: To: humanresources@ womenforwomen. org
CC: lthompson@womenforw omen.org
Application deadline: August 15th, 2008
3. Writer
Please submit three writing samples (press release, article, speech,
briefing paper, etc,) 2-3 pages each and cover letter via e-mail
(preferred), fax or regular mail to:
ATTN: HUMAN RESOURCES
Women for Women International
4455 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20008
Fax: 202.737-7709
*E-mail: To: humanresources@ womenforwomen. org
CC: lthompson@womenforw omen.org
4. Director of Policy and Advocacy Please apply by sending CV and cover letter to humanresources@ womenforwomen. org and ratalla@womenforwom en.org on or before August
15th, 2008
POSITION DETAILS
Director of Communications
Reporting to the U.S. Executive Director, a seasoned Communications Director will design and execute a sophisticated communications plan that will help amplify the voices of the socially-excluded women we serve in eight countries globally. We are looking for an experienced, resourceful and innovative individual with strong leadership skills, advanced oral and
written communication abilities, a highly strategic thinker to build
on the organization’ s success and identify new opportunities for
positioning and further growth. Communications initiatives include:
media/press and stakeholder outreach, publications production, with a special emphasis on leveraging information on WfWI program and policy initiatives to appropriate and diverse agents of change.
Preferred:
- Master’s degree
- A degree in journalism or communications
- Solid relationships with reporters at the national level and strong
networking skills
- Experience with public policy at the national level, and preferably
at an international level
- A strong interest in international women’s issues, including war,
economic development, health and human rights
- Experience in a policy-oriented environment, preferably in hard news arena
- Experience with sophisticated publication production (reports,
policy position papers, etc.)
- Experience in working with online media outlets and the blogging
community is a plus
- Professional public relations and communications experience is desirable
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Ability to advance creative approaches to increase media exposure in
soft media and hard news media, in print, broadcast and online
- At least 10 years of experience in communications, preferably a
combination of experience in a news organization as well as a
not-for-profit organization
- Thorough knowledge of the media community
- Experience in creating and implementing overall communications
strategies, with ability for strategic analysis and planning
- Ability to work in a large institution, coordinating communications
efforts across departments and across the organization globally
- Excellent writing skills, capable of meeting tight deadlines,
ability to accurately summarize public policy research; strong
organizational and interpersonal skills
- Strong ability to speak to multiple audiences, synthesizing complex
issues in both written and oral forms
- Strong leadership skills and supervisory experience
- Ability to produce in a fast-paced, diverse and fluid environment
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
I. Communications Strategy and Marketing/Branding Collaboration:
Help plan and execute a global WfWI communications strategy, with
emphasis on issues affecting socially excluded women globally. Oversee design and publication of WfWI special reports, policy
position papers and education/outreach material. Represent WfWI in a variety of community outreach activities, meetings, and public forums; speak to groups and individuals regarding WfWI’s activities and mission. Working with Communications and Marketing Directors, develop marketing collateral, drafting and editing brochures, press releases, media advisories, event announcements, pitch letters, fact sheets and other press materials as needed.
II. Media Relations:
Develop and manage an annual media calendar that supports the annual communications strategy. Develop WfWI’s presence in the news media, in addition to soft media, in consultation with U.K. and country offices. Monitor news in a timely fashion andposition key staff members to comment.
III. Other Communications and Outreach Activities:
Serve as the point of contact on communications matters, especially
organization- wide activities and publications such as the “Stronger
Women, Stronger Nations” reports series. Identify opportunities for WfWI policy experts to develop op-eds, policy briefs, letters to the editors, etc.; assist in drafting these written materials as necessary. Engage external stakeholders, including academic community,
policymakers and key government officials via multiple communications tactics.
Communications Officer
The Communications Officer will report to the Director of
Communications, working closely with Marketing, Policy and Advocacy staff and the U.S. Executive Director. The primary purpose of the position is to help devise and implement effective media,
communications, and publications strategies for WfWI.
RESPONSIBILITIES
* Under direction of the Communications Director, help develop and
implement media, communications, and publications strategy and
tactics, in collaboration with Policy and Advocacy staff
* Act as the first point of contact for media inquiries, and
coordinate interdepartmental requests for media and communications
support
* Identify opportunities for media-based advocacy on issues of concern to WfWI
* Handle media requests and develop media opportunities for senior staff
* Draft strategic pitches, press releases and media advisories,
organize press conferences and other press events, and assist with
press placement
* Maintain an extensive database record of media contacts (domestic
and international) and develop and maintain relations with key
journalists on the range of issues of concern to WfwI
* In cooperation with policy and advocacy staff, assist in refining
publication concepts and revising early drafts of publications and
other printed materials
* Generate and review content in WfWI’s publications and website
QUALIFICATIONS
* Bachelor’s Degree required
* 5 years of media experience as a journalist or communications professional
* Familiarity with global women’s issues, particularly in
conflict/post conflict, such as health, education, poverty and
violence against women; relevant education in public
policy/communicatio ns/journalism a plus
* Contacts in U.S. media, particularly on relevant issues
* Excellent written and verbal skills in English as well as editing
experience; additional languages a plus
* Ability to listen and communicate clearly and effectively with
people from diverse cultures
* High level of self-motivation, initiative, and creativity
* Knowledge and a passion for social and gender justice
* Commitment to working as a member of an interdepartmental team in a
fast paced yet fluid working environment
To Apply:
Please submit three writing samples (press release, article, speech,
briefing paper, etc,) 2-3 pages each and cover letter via e-mail
(preferred), fax or regular mail to:
ATTN: HUMAN RESOURCES
Women for Women International
4455 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20008
Fax: 202.737-7709
*E-mail: To: humanresources@ womenforwomen. org
CC: lthompson@womenforw omen.org
NO CALLS, PLEASE. Application deadline: August 15th, 2008
Writer
The Writer will report to the Director of Communications, working
closely with Marketing, Policy and Advocacy staff and the U.S.
Executive Director. The primary purpose of the position is to generate web content, newsletters, report language, organizational materials and reports and cross-departmental editorial support.
Responsibilities will include:
· In cooperation with policy and advocacy staff, assist in drafting
and revising early drafts of publications and other printed materials
· Generate and review content in WfWI’s publications and website
· Writing, editing and managing content and production of newsletter
· Providing content as needed for story pitches, press releases and
other materials
· Drafting, reviewing and providing input on media outreach materials, as needed
· Drafting, editing and producing annual reports, organizational
brochures and other marketing materials
· Other duties as assigned
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
· 7-10 years of professional writing experience in an academic, think
tank, public policy and/or NGO setting, with a focus on promoting
action-oriented research, philanthropy or social causes, particularly
in the international sphere
· In-depth knowledge and nuanced understanding of economic, social and
political issues that affect women’s lives before, during and after
conflict
· Outstanding writing, editing, and research skills
· Knowledge of publishing software; Graphic experience a plus
· Affinity for the mission of WfWI as demonstrated through a
combination of work experience, education and volunteerism.
· Education: Bachelor (BA, BS etc.) in political science,
international affairs, international development, gender or conflict
studies related field required. Master’s or PhD preferred.
· Creativity, confidence and the ability to collaborate and succeed in
a dynamic international organization.
Anticipated start date is as soon as possible. Applicants will be
screened on an ongoing basis and prompt submission is strongly
encouraged.
Director of Policy and Advocacy
This individual will be a key actor in developing a strategic advocacy
agenda based on sophisticated legislative analysis and know-how. The position requires a leader with Congressional or political campaign experience; a person who is strategically minded, with creativity and comfort developing and leading your own initiatives; and someone with excellent people skills. This is a senior position. This is a collaborative post; the incumbent will work in
close coordination with the U.S. Executive Director and other
departments, with particularly close contact with our Global Programs department as we develop the initiative.
Policy and Advocacy Director schedule of duties:
• Assist in developing Women for Women International’ s policy
positions
• Supervise drafting of policy related publications, working closely with the Director of
Communications to disseminate them;
• Build and strengthen relationships with Congressional and assorted international organizations’ staff
• Develop and manage operations of Washington, D.C. Policy and
Advocacy department and maintain regular communication with the U.S. Executive Director;
• Hire, manage and supervise Washington D.C. policy and advocacy
staff, fellows, interns and volunteers;
· Disseminate policy-related materials to WfWI shareholders,
constituents and advocates
• Under supervision of U.S. Executive Director, conduct trainings and presentations on behalf of WfWI at national conferences, events, and congressional meetings and briefings
• Build and strengthen partnerships with other organizations and
agencies to generate consensus on messaging and promote action on targeted issues; identify opportunities (forums, media outlets, etc.) to advance common advocacy agendas;
• Working with the Director of Communications, provide editorial
review and input on global issues to WfWI materials and documents
(e.g. publications, web site, speeches, policy statements, etc.);
• Coordinate financial management for global advocacy projects,
including budget preparation, allocating and tracking of expenses, and reporting;
• Represent WfWI in national and local coalitions, and at Washington, D.C. events
Required Qualifications
• Ideally both Congressional and NGO experience
• Ideally at least 10 years of experience in global
advocacy/communicat ions in a non-profit international organization.
• Familiarity with the international women’s community and issues,
including multilateral agencies, Congressional initiatives and actors,
donors and international NGOs.
• Strong values-based leadership skills, with the ability to work well
with the members of the management team.
• Experience working in a complex, high-performing organization.
• Track record of successful mentoring, supervision and development of staff.
• Well-honed strategic thinking and problem-solving skills with the
ability to be flexible and adaptable and revise strategies as
necessary.
• Comfortable and productive in a fluid work environment.
• Law or Masters Degree in Public Policy, International Affairs,
Gender or related field preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of women’s issues and/or social justice issues
with experience in policy advocacy, community organizing and coalition
building.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills, and demonstrated
experience serving as a senior-level representative at a nonprofit
organization, think tank, or political office
• Experience recruiting and working with people of diverse cultural
backgrounds.
• Outstanding interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Experience with financial management, including budgeting, is a plus.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
