International Press Officer

The Center for Reproductive Rights is the only global legal advocacy organization dedicated exclusively to the establishment, protection, and advancement of reproductive rights as fundamental human rights in constitutional and international law.

Founded in 1992 and headquartered in New York City, the Center has been a driving force in many of the most important advances in reproductive rights law around the globe—waging and winning landmark battles to enshrine in international and U.S. law not only fundamental rights to reproductive autonomy and the full range of reproductive health services, but also an obligation among governments to ensure timely, affordable, nondiscriminatory access to those services. Twenty years after its founding, the Center’s mission remains straightforward and ambitious: to advance reproductive freedom as a fundamental right that all governments are legally obligated to protect, respect, and fulfill.

The Center’s diverse staff—unrivaled in its experience and track record of success, and representing more than a dozen nationalities worldwide—is strategically positioned across the globe, from our headquarters in New York City to our offices in Washington, DC; Bogotá, Colombia; and Nairobi, Kenya. In 2012, we will open additional offices in Kathmandu, Nepal, and Geneva, Switzerland.

We seek a seasoned media professional with sharp communications skills and a detailed understanding of the international media landscape to join our communications team in the newly created position of International Press Officer.

Working from New York City and reporting to the Senior Press Officer, the International Press Officer will bear primary responsibility for developing and executing creative and aggressive strategies for increasing the Center’s visibility in the media outside the U.S. at the international, national, regional, and local levels, and developing a strategic plan for the continued growth of the Center’s international media operations in support of our short- and long-term strategic objectives.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Strategizing, coordinating, and executing media relations operations to secure media coverage of the Center’s national, regional, and global advocacy work—including coverage in both international outlets and national, regional, and local outlets in countries where the Center is actively engaged in advocacy efforts.

• Working with the Director of Communications, Director of Communications Operations, and Senior Press Officer to identify opportunities and develop strategies for linking the Center and its work to global trends and issues in international press.

• Working with existing media consultants in countries where the Center is active, and developing new relationships as needed to support and complement the Center’s media relations efforts.

• Serving as primary point of contact for all offices within the Center’s International Legal Program with respect to their media relations needs.

• Developing press strategy and materials (press releases, statements, pitch letters, op-eds, etc.) related to the Center’s national, regional, and global advocacy campaigns.

• Preparing Center spokespeople for press interviews and public appearances, including drafting talking points and key messages and providing both formal media training and informal prep sessions prior to each interview.

• Building a robust database of international media contacts, and ensuring it is current and constantly expanding as reporter assignments change.

• With the Director of Communications, Director of Communications Operations, and Senior Press Officer, developing a three-to-five-year strategic plan for meeting the growing communications needs of the Center’s international offices through additional staffing at the regional offices, expanded networks of regional and local consultants, or a combination of both.

Qualifications

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• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in communications, journalism, public/media relations, or a related field.

• A minimum of five years of experience in progressive media, journalism, and/or public relations, and a track record of success in raising the visibility of political, social, and cultural issues and organizations, and shaping public debate.

• Fluency in Spanish (Portuguese or other languages a plus).

• Ability to travel as needed.

• Broad awareness and deep understanding of the global media landscape and current and developing strategies for communicating effectively in a continually and rapidly evolving media environment.

• Stellar written, verbal, and interpersonal skills. This is a job for a person with outstanding ability to make and maintain strong relationships with reporters and local media consultants in order to publicize the Center’s message.

• Strong intuition and instincts for translating trends and research findings into concrete communications opportunities—and an ability to move quickly and decisively to take advantage of them.

• Strong organizational skills and a proven ability to concurrently manage a large number and wide variety of projects with strict deadlines.

• Dedication to the Center’s mission, values, and strategic objectives.

• Knowledge of international reproductive rights issues and of legal and human rights systems strongly desirable.

Contact Details

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Contact:

Human Resources

Email:

resumes@reprorights.org

Application Instructions

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Send cover letter, resume, writing sample and three references to: resumes@reprorights.org

Note: Applicants must indicate “International Press Officer, their last name and code 134” as the subject of emailed applications. Cover letter, resume, writing sample and references should be sent as attachments on Microsoft Word documents. Please note that the deadline is Friday, March 23, 2012.

The Center for Reproductive Rights is an equal opportunity employer, committed to inclusive hiring, and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. We strongly encourage people from all groups and communities to apply.