Communications Director

Versión para impresora
Based In: 
New York

Founded in 1992, Equality Now works to end violence and discrimination against women and girls around the world. With offices in New York, Nairobi and London, and presences in Amman, Jordan and Washington, DC, our areas of focus include Discrimination in Law, Sexual Violence, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Trafficking. Combining grassroots activism with international, regional and national legal advocacy, we envision a world in which women and men have equal rights under the law and full enjoyment of those rights.

Reporting to the Global Director, the Communications Director will oversee the Website/Social Media Manager and work closely with the Equality Action Network (EAN) Director, and the media officers in the various offices as well as any applicable consultants, interns and outside vendors in the development and implementation of Equality Now’s internal and external communications strategy. The Communications Director will be responsible for Equality Now’s broad range of communications strategies that promote and enhance the organization’s mission and strategic direction including: Actions and Alerts, e-newsletters and print publications; web, blogs, videos, and other online communications; media and public relations; and marketing and outreach campaigns. Candidates should have substantial, broad-based communications experience, several years of management experience and be able to master Equality Now’s work.

Responsibilities: 

Communications Strategy, Vision and Leadership

  • Develop and lead the implementation of an integrated strategic communications plan to advance Equality Now’s brand identity; broaden awareness of its programs and priorities; and increase the visibility of its programs across key stakeholder audiences
  • Create marketing/public relations strategy that will allow Equality Now to cultivate and enhance meaningful relationships with targeted, external audiences, including the media and key influencers
  • Identify challenges and emerging issues faced by the organization.
  •  Work with staff to recognize internal and external communications opportunities and solutions, and define and execute appropriate strategies to support them.

Communications Operations

  • Work with program staff, management and the Website/Social Media manager on the writing, editing and distribution of Equality Now Actions, Alerts and other advocacy pieces
  • Work closely with media officers in other Equality Now offices to determine media outreach in all locations
  • Create all print communications, including the annual report, marketing collateral, electronic communications and media materials
  • Supervise the Website/Social Media Manager on ongoing development of Equality Now’s website and social media networks
  • Develop strategy to engage and build the Equality Action Network (EAN) in collaboration with EAN Director
  • Work in partnership with media officers in Equality Now’s various offices to ensure overall consistency and tone of messaging 
  • Actively engage, cultivate, and manage press relationships to ensure coverage surrounding Equality Now programs, special events, public announcements, etc. including through the preparation of press releases, media advisories, letters to the editor, opinion editorials, blogs, articles, talking points, speeches, presentations and other supporting material as needed

Management

  • Oversee the day-to-day activities of the communications function including budgeting, planning and staff development
  • Establish and monitor staff performance and development goals, assign accountabilities, set objectives, establish priorities, and conduct annual performance appraisals for Website/Social Media Manager and assist office directors in the same with respect to media officers
Requirements: 
  • Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, public relations or related field is required, an advanced degree is preferred
  • Minimum 5 years work experience in the field and 3 years’ experience in a senior management role
  • Demonstrated skill and leadership in managing a comprehensive strategic communications, media relations, and marketing program to advance an organization’s mission and goals
  • Exceptional and creative written, oral, interpersonal and presentation skills and the ability to effectively interface with the public, management, Board members and staff
  • Ability to work effectively, efficiently, diplomatically and calmly in a high-pressure environment on issues that are often complex and politically sensitive
  • Energetic, flexible, collaborative, results oriented and proactive; superior multi-tasking skills required
  • Passion for Equality Now’s mission and vision
  • Fluency in French, Spanish and/or Arabic highly desirable

Required writing samples:

  • A marketing-oriented piece in the tone and style of an editorial or press release (no more than one page)
  • A short blog post or email alert on a women’s rights issue
     
To Apply: 

Please send writing samples, résumé and cover letter detailing skills and relevant experience to jobs@equalitynow.org.