Communications and Campaign Officer

Organization: Control Arms Secretariat
Location: New York City (Midtown East)
Contact information: jobs@controlarms.org

The Control Arms coalition is an international campaign that has been working since 2003 for tough controls on the international arms trade in order to reduce human suffering. This is an exciting moment in the campaign’s development, as formal negotiations are now underway at the United Nations toward the conclusion of an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).

We are looking for talented and committed individuals who can help to drive forward the international campaign, and provide support to our growing network. You will have great leadership skills, be experienced in working with multi-cultural and multi-lingual networks, and possess the drive, passion and commitment to see campaigns make a real difference.

Purpose of the Control Arms Secretariat
To serve the responsibilities and role of coordinator and facilitator for the Control Arms coalition – a global civil society campaign fighting for tough legally-binding arms control that will prevent irresponsible arms transfers in order to save lives and protect livelihoods. The new Control Arms Secretariat will lead and implement the coalition’s operations, activities and strategies, and serve and support the members and the bodies of the coalition in their efforts to effectively advocate and campaign for a strong ATT. This includes supporting work at the national, regional and international levels.

Positions Available:

2. Communications and Campaign Officer

Job description
The Communications and Campaign Officer will oversee all communications, campaigning and operational matters for the new Control Arms Secretariat, including performing the role of network contact point and support officer for members worldwide. This post will report to the Coordinator of the Control Arms Secretariat.

Responsibilities:

Communications
Ensure efficient communications with and between the component structures of the Control Arms coalition – members, regional and thematic Working Groups, Steering Board and Secretariat. This will include keeping the membership updated on Steering Board deliberations, and the Steering Board abreast of global campaigning activities.
Develop and disseminate Control Arms’ monthly bulletin/update – requesting submissions, compiling, drafting, editing and distributing to membership and external partners.
Effectively manage the further development and maintenance of the Control Arms website, both regarding content and information technology, by posting updates, news and implementing new features – including the use of social media tools.
Develop and facilitate communication systems that ensure Control Arms campaigning strategies and activities are based on the views of its membership.

Campaign
Develop, together with the Coordinator, a global campaign strategy for the Control Arms coalition – drafting internal documents envisioning objectives, targets, activities, messaging, visual identity, etc. – ensuring that strategy includes and implements a robust social media component to further mobilization and participation in Control Arms campaigns.
Ensure the effectiveness of the Control Arms global campaign strategy through coordinated and successful national campaigning – facilitating, encouraging, supporting and advising members’ national campaigning activities and strategies.
Support increased impact of the Control Arms campaign through drafting, coordination of sign-off, and distribution of advocacy, information and campaigning tools and materials to all members of the coalition.

Network
Serve as main point of contact for the Control Arms coalition, responding to contacts and queries from members, governments, international organizations, other civil society and media on policy, strategy and operational matters.
Facilitate and serve as central hub for the coalition’s regional and thematic Working Groups, ensuring coordinated decentralization and breadth of Control Arms efforts.
Review and approve membership applications to the Control Arms coalition, in consultation with the relevant regional Working Group, as well as membership record-
keeping, such as a database of Control Arms members for monthly update and general communications.
Outreach to civil society organizations worldwide to ensure continued growth of the campaign through new members of the coalition.

Qualifications/Person Specification

Required:
 University degree in international affairs, or relevant social science plus professional experience.
 A minimum of three years experience in civil society, government or international organization environment, preferably in the disarmament, arms control, human rights or humanitarian fields.
 Experience with international NGO coalitions and networks.
 Excellent communication, writing and networking skills.
 Fluent oral and written communication skills in English as well as in at least one other language – preferably Spanish, French or Arabic.
 Understanding of, and experience in, multicultural environments with a diverse range of activists (geographical, language, gender, religious and cultural).
 Complete computer literacy, including email, internet, website development, and social media.
 Available to travel internationally.

Desired:
 Knowledge of security/disarmament issues, and diplomacy/UN system.
 Fluency in additional UN languages.

Salary: Up to U$50,000, based on experience, with benefits.
Length of contract: One year, with possibility of renewal.
Apply by: April 11, 2011
Start date: As soon as possible.

To apply: Interested applicants should email cover letter, a detailed CV/resumé, and three references. Only applicants who fulfill the aforementioned requirements will be considered, and only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Send to jobs@controlarms.org

Candidates must demonstrate eligibility – or ability to rapidly gain eligibility – to legally work in the United States (citizenship, “green card”/work permit). Minorities are urged to apply, as Control Arms highly encourages diversity.