Communications Director - WASH Advocacy Initiative

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR WAI
Location: Within the United States
Position Location: WASHINGTON, DC


Description
CARE is seeking an experienced Communications Director for our WASH Advocacy Initiative, a voluntary, sector-wide initiative. The incumbent will support the U.S. WASH community in moving the U.S. Government and U.S. citizens, including individuals, foundations, corporations and civic and faith-based groups, into a global leadership position on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) on several fronts. These include but are not limited to the level of foreign investment, general awareness of the global water crisis, sustainability of WASH programming, prioritization of WASH within the U.S. Administration, and integration of WASH in other global development activities. The Initiative is designed as a 12-month effort and is supported by a consortium of organizations including Water.org, Global Water Challenge, Water For People, and CARE.org.


Responsibilities:

· Develop a communications and advocacy strategy in partnership with a coalition of partner organizations which outlines key objectives, target audiences, specific opportunities, timelines, budgets, messages, and roles for each participating organization.

· Coordinate implementation of the communications and advocacy strategy through the reach of voluntary partner organizations with the support of partner resources. One key activity will be managing a coalition-wide planning team and various working group task leaders to plan, coordinate, and execute the 2011 World Water Day program. Planning for this event has already begun including partner identification, theme development, draft plan development, and working group assignments. The candidate will build upon this existing momentum, strengthen it, and activate.

· Respond to incoming media requests and cultivate relationships with key journalists to pitch story concepts and partners as key resources.

· Through one-on-one relationships and managing working group meetings, catalyze increased coordination of partners active in WASH advocacy. This may include message development, materials development, event planning, etc.

· Coordinate and draft external communications potentially including a newsletter, blogging, website content and social media outreach, representing a neutral, sector-wide voice.

· Be a spokesperson in broadcast and print media and train and cultivate new spokespersons for the WASH sector.

· Perform other duties as assigned.


Required:

· Master’s degree or commensurate experience in mass communications, advocacy, marketing or a related field
· 5-10 years of experience in communications and advocacy-related work
· Strong understanding and experience in international development and ideally WASH issues
· Excellent computer skills, particularly in word processing
· Experience working with industry associations or voluntary sector-wide initiatives
· Experience working as a seconded staff member preferred
· Strong and persuasive oral and written communications, facilitation, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement skills
· Ability to work well in a small and highly productive team and foster collaboration among a diverse set of stakeholders
· Ability to engage partners to actively participate and contribute to the initiative in the form of time, resources, and counsel
· Creativity and opportunism in finding ways of raising the profile of WASH issues
· Ability to build relationships and networks and link appropriate spokespersons within the WASH community with specific opportunities and needs
· Familiarity with web-based tools, social media and other promotional media



Desired

· 2-3 years experience with international WASH issues
· Existing relationships and contacts with media


Duration: Full time

Location: Washington, DC

Expected Start Date: Mid-late January 2011

Expected Travel Percentage: 10%


Apply online at:
https://tbe.taleo.net/NA5/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=CAREUSA&cws=1&rid=1175