Communications Associate, Family Planning 2020 Task Team, Washington, DC

Communications Associate

Posted on: April 2, 2013
Posted by: United Nations Foundation

DESCRIPTION

At the Family Planning summit in London in July 2012, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (Gates), the UK Department for International Development (DFID), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the US Agency for International Development (USAID), national governments, donors, civil society, the private sector, the research and development community, and others from across the world came together to support the right of women and girls to decide, freely and for themselves, whether, when and how many children they would have. The Summit called for unprecedented global political commitments and resources from implementing governments and pledges of US$2.6 billion from donors that will enable 120 million more women and girls to use contraceptives by 2020. Reaching this goal could result in over 200,000 fewer women and girls dying in pregnancy and childbirth and nearly 3 million fewer infants dying in their first year of life.

A key outcome of the Summit was the development of Family Planning 2020 (FP2020). FP2020 was created to support the achievement of the overall Summit goal and the individual commitments made by enhancing the work already being done. Led by an 18-member Reference Group, guided technically by Working Groups, and operated daily by a Task Team, hosted by the UN Foundation, FP2020 strives to advance access to family planning information, services and contraceptives under the guiding principles based on rights, choice, equity and voluntarism .

THE POSITION

FP2020 is seeking a temporary employee to serve as a Communications Associate to support the FP2020 Task Team and implement the objectives of FP2020. The Communications Associate will provide communications and public relations support on activities related to FP2020.

Reporting Relationships

• The Communications Associate will report to the Senior Communications Director, Campaigns and Initiatives and work closely with the Executive Director, Women, Girls, and Population and the FP2020 team.

All activities undertaken by FP2020 will engage and coordinate with existing architecture (ex. Every Woman Every Child and the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health) and are expected to build upon and reinforce the work of key partners such as UNFPA.

The Communications Associate will be based out of the UN Foundation's offices in Washington, DC. This is a staff person who will represent the UN Foundation externally and must work diplomatically with partners, be strategic, and have the ability to multi-task and work efficiently. The Communications Associate will work full-time (40 hours per week) for approximately six months.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assists the FP2020 team to implement and further strategic communications plans
• Draft documents such as media advisories, press releases, talking points, articles, and web and email communications;
• Assist with the creation of presentations, preparing communications materials and providing onsite support for events;
• Work with FP2020 Stakeholders to develop on-line content for the FP2020 website;
• Work with the Public Affairs team and FP2020 staff to keep branding and messaging consistent on and offline;
• Attend relevant events as needed and report back to the team;
• Provide general support including maintaining press lists, editorial calendars, and media clip reports;

DESIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ACTIVITIES

In addition to having a proven ability to carry out the above responsibilities, the successful candidate will have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• A minimum of 2 years in communications and/or public relations and media relations;
• Bachelor's degree preferred in Communications, Writing, International Relations, or Politics;
• An interest in and passion for global campaigns related to international development issues;
• A basic knowledge of new media including blogs, social networking and online news outlets;
• Excellent written and verbal communication a must;
• Ability to learn quickly, juggle projects simultaneously, and meet deadlines;
• Sound judgment and attention to detail a must;
• Familiarity with UN, international, and nonprofit issues a plus;
• Ability to work under pressure and handle stress;
• Ability to meet regular attendance/tardiness policy.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Salary commensurate with experience. Actual salary will depend on qualifications and anticipated contribution to the Foundation.

UNF pays 100% of medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance premiums for its employees and 75% of medical and vision for employees' dependents.

In addition, UNF provides 20 days of paid vacation per year, 12 paid holidays, three personal days per year, an immediately vested 150% matching 403(b) contribution up to a limit of six-percent of employee pay, Metro Pass benefits, and flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care.

HOW TO APPLY

Please apply on-line at http://www.unfoundation.org/who-we-are/careers/comms-assoc-fp2020.html

Important note - Our online system allows ONLY ONE document to be uploaded. Please save your resume and cover letter as ONE document BEFORE APPLYING.

All applicants must submit a cover letter - please save upload your resume and cover letter as one document - either .pdf or .doc.

UNF/BWF is an AA/EEO employer. People of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.