Position Available: Communications Officer
The Center for Economic and Social Rights (CESR) is an international NGO based in Madrid and New York that works for the recognition and enforcement of economic, social and cultural rights as a powerful tool for promoting social justice and human dignity.
As part of its current efforts to implement an ambitious new program of research and advocacy on economic and social rights issues around the world, CESR is seeking a Communications Officer to create and implement a communications strategy. This strategy will seek to advance CESR's mission by using a wide range of communications tools, including the internet, written publications and other media.
The post will be based in Madrid, although CESR is open to considering the post being based elsewhere. CESR offers competitive terms and conditions for suitably qualified candidates.
Job Description
The overall purpose of the job is 1) to promote awareness that economic and social rights can be a powerful tool for promoting social justice and human dignity; 2) to raise the public profile and visibility of CESR among key constituencies, including governments, bilateral and multilateral donor agencies, policy makers, partner organizations, the media and academic institutions by communicating information about CESR's mission, projects, events, and success stories to targeted audiences.
Under the supervision of CESR's Executive Director, the primary responsibilities of the communications officer will include:
- Developing and implementing an integrated communications strategy for the organization in line with its mission, objectives and workplans
- Developing and ensuring the use of a coherent style and identity across the organization in line with the communications strategy
- Coordinating the redesign of CESR's website, managing web-designers to ensure that the website reflects CESR's identity and mission
- Updating, developing and maintaining CESR's website, including writing, editing and content management,
- Coordinating, writing and producing a wide range of communications materials, including web content, fact sheets, and newsletters
- Providing editorial support to CESR's publications and other documents produced by the organization
- Coordinating the dissemination of all CESR's publications and promoting awareness of these through the media
- Representing CESR in relevant networks (through listserves and other means) and responding to information and publication requests from the public
- Maintaining contacts with relevant media and keeping abreast of developments in the field of communications which present opportunities for advancing CESR's goals
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have at least three years of experience working in communications for an advocacy organization. S/he must have exceptional writing skills in English, with proven creativity in formulating advocacy messages and the ability to convey complex issues in concise and compelling ways; experience in drafting in a variety of styles for different audiences (media releases, newsletters, website content, etc) and ability to manage websites and web-based communications, including editing, updating and maintaining website content. It is also essential to have familiarity with new information and communications technologies. Flexibility and enthusiasm for working in a team across a multicultural organization is also essential.
It is strongly desirable, though not essential, to have:
- Proven experience of communications and advocacy in a human rights or development setting, particularly in the context of a non-governmental organization working for social change
- Fluency in Spanish, both written and spoken
- A degree either in journalism and communications or in a field related to CESR's program work, such as law or social sciences (economics, sociology, etc).
- Familiarity with web publishing tools, including Adobe Photoshop or other image editing software
- Experience in graphic design (particularly of newsletters and other forms of short publications).
How to apply
To apply, please send a cover letter, a CV, two unedited writing samples and the names and contact information of two referees to jobs@cesr.org.
Applications should be received no later than 5 December 2007 In view of the volume of applications anticipated, we regret that we are unable to answer individual queries in relation to posts or on the progress of individual applications. Shortlisted candidates will be notified within 20 days of the deadline for applications.