Reports To: Director for Immigration and Refugee Policy and
Director of External Relations, Immigration and Refugee Program
Location: Washington, DC
Team: Advocacy Team & Immigration and Refugee Program Team
Grade: 4
Salary: $45,000 to $55,000
Status: Exempt; Non-Bargaining Unit
Application Deadline: December 8, 2016
Church World Service (CWS) is a not-for-profit organization working to eradicate hunger and poverty and to promote peace and justice around the world. CWS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability or veteran status in employment or in the provision of services.
To Apply:
Please visit the link below to apply directly online to this position.
http://cws.applicantstack.com/x/apply/a2h9xbo1qai3
Please note that CWS does not accept resumes for positions that are not posted. All applicants are required to submit their resume using the on-line applicant tracking system.
Communications
CWS uses Applicant Stack for all communications, please be sure to check your e-mail frequently and please check your junk/spam folder. Due to the volume of applications that we receive, only those individuals shortlisted will be contacted.
Primary Purpose:
The Media Associate will join a highly effective advocacy team in Washington, DC during a critical time in which we must protect the rights of immigrants and refugees. The CWS Immigration and Refugee Program Advocacy Team weaves together policy advocacy, grassroots organizing, media relations and strategic communications to serve as a nationally leading voice on refugee resettlement and immigrants’ rights. We work with refugees, faith leaders, partners, and our local offices and affiliates to build relationships with policy makers and stand in solidarity with refugees and immigrants.
This hybrid traditional-new media position will build a vision and strategy for the synergy of offline and online social campaigning and public education. You will work in concert with CWS policy and grassroots organizing staff to elevate the powerful stories of refugee leaders, faith leaders, and welcoming communities. You’ll train and equip fellow staff, faith leaders, refugee partners and legal experts in the CWS network to effectively communicate both with the press and through online channels.
The ideal candidate will live and breathe a coalition approach to advocacy and thrive in a creative environment in which no day is the same. This team member will join and be at the intersection of the CWS Advocacy and Immigration and Refugee Program staff teams.
Essential Duties:
Press and media outreach
Provide direction for a proactive online and media strategies for national, state and local grassroots organizing around immigrants and refugee rights
Provide leadership and coordination for CWS and partners to link grassroots campaigns and policy positions with media opportunities
Develop and nurture relationships with CWS member communions, local refugee resettlement offices and affiliates, and partners to build communications capacity and grow our media outreach
Write media advisories, press releases, op-eds, letters to the editor, talking points, speeches, etc. that promote social change, public awareness and education, and grassroots organizing around CWS’s priorities
Pitch to national and local media outlets on immigration and refugee policy issues
Coordinate press events and teleconferences, prepare and brief spokespeople, including national leaders
Train staff, faith leaders and volunteers to build media capacity at the grassroots level
Work in partnership with coalition members to coordinate media outreach, strategies and messaging
Strategize and implement effective messaging and testimonies for congressional briefings, meetings, speeches, etc.; evaluate changing needs in messaging and coverage of immigrants rights and refugee resettlement
Participate as a member of the CWS Advocacy and Immigration and Refugee Program staff teams, in addition to other organizational communications teams, to brainstorm on media strategies relevant to CWS priorities.
Social media and digital campaigning
Develop and execute a social media outreach strategy to further CWS’s grassroots efforts and policy goals
Manage CWS social media presence including content development, design, growth and management
Oversee contact and email list management systems for promoting grassroots growth and CWS advocacy priorities
Facilitate website updates on CWS and partner sites for advocacy content and priorities
Train and equip CWS staff, partners and supporters to strengthen their new media outreach regarding education and grassroots organizing around CWS priorities.
Support CWS policy and grassroots staff in preparing action alerts and resources on immigrants rights and international anti-poverty efforts.
Qualifications:
Experience successfully placing stories and generating positive press coverage in local and national media outlets
Minimum of a B.A./B.S. in communications, marketing, or public relations; academic experience in communications or public relations; or significant comparable professional experience
Three to five years of experience working with traditional media and social networking
Bilingual and Spanish preferred
Experience doing media work within a community organizing framework
Strong oral and written communication skills, solid organizational skills, sound political instincts, and ability to proactively identify opportunities to advance the campaign’s message in the media
Experience planning, organizing, and executing national and local events, including logistics and media
Familiarity dealing with crisis communications planning and situations
Expertise in emerging new media opportunities and knowledge of best practices of engagement
Familiarity with Adobe Creative Cloud software or other comparable design, photo and video editing software
Experience working with diverse coalitions and coordinating extensive short and long-term communications plans and goals
Familiarity with SEO, online ad buys, and online marketing best practices
Ability to work independently and collaboratively, work well under pressure and with tight deadlines, and balance multiple projects
Familiar with immigration issues and foreign assistance
Direct experience with WordPress, Salesforce and email marketing is highly advantageous