Human Rights Watch - COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER ON LGBT RIGHTS

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER ON LGBT RIGHTS
Development and Outreach Department
(Amsterdam Office)
Application Deadline: June 14, 2012

Human Rights Watch (“HRW”) and Hivos have embarked upon a 2-year project for the defense and promotion of LGBT Rights in sub-Saharan Africa. In order to raise awareness for the situation of LGBT people in sub-Saharan Africa and to present our work to the Dutch public, HRW and Hivos are seeking a highly qualified Communications Officer on LGBT rights. This project is possible due to a generous grant of the Dutch National Postcode Lottery.

The Communications Officer will develop, implement andcoordinate HRW and Hivos’ communications and outreach strategy in the Netherlands for this project on LGBT rights in sub-Saharan Africa. HRW and Hivos aim to (1) draw public and media attention to LGBT rights issues in sub-Saharan Africa and (2) promote LGBT rights. This position reports to HRW’s Netherlands Director of Development and Outreach as well as to Hivos.

Responsibilities:

1. Create a communications plan for HRW and Hivos’ outreach efforts for this specific project, targeting the general public as well as the Dutch LGBT community, focusing on generating free publicity, social media and organizing low cost events;

2. Develop and execute a specific program for an HRW and Hivos presence during Amsterdam’s 2013 Gay Pride, including an HRW-Hivos boat in the pride parade;

3. Promote LGBT rights-related HRW and Hivos reports, news releases and multimedia pieces to journalists and Dutch media outlets;

4. Liaise effectively with Dutch media and direct inquiries to the appropriate HRW and Hivos contacts;

5. Develop project-related media strategies, proposals, budgets and work plans;

6. Provide support and advice in the production of relevant multimedia pieces for news broadcasters, such as online video and radio content and photo essays;

7. Draft and produce advertorials for national print media;

8. Prepare website updates and draft reports on activities, as required;

9. Coordinate with HRW and HIVOS staff and external partners;

10. Ensure the outputs are delivered in a timely manner, are consistent with the agreed strategy and priorities of HRW and Hivos and are within budget;and

11. Carry out other duties as required.

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in communications, media studies, journalism, international relations, political science or relevant discipline is required.

Experience: Minimum three to five years of relevant work experience in communications or events, preferably in the non-profit sector, is required.

Related Skills and Knowledge:

1. Proven track record of working with key players in the Dutch LGBT rights movement and the LGBT community.

2. Proven track record of creating and implementing communications and marketing plans and strategies that include the effective use of social media as a tool.

3. Excellent knowledge of Dutch media is required.

4. Prior experience in building and strengthening working relationships with Dutch media.

5. Excellent oral and written communication skills in Dutch and English.

6. Knowledge and experience working in international human rights is a plus.

7. Strong organizational and interpersonal skills

8. Capacity to appropriately plan within a limited budget and prioritize and to manage multiple, sometimes competing demands efficiently in a challenging, fast-paced environment is required.

9. Ability to make sound decisions consistent with functions is required.

10. Ability to work under pressure with minimum supervision is required.

Contract Duration: One year contract from September 2012 through August 2013.

Other: The Communications Officer will be employed in the Amsterdam office of Human Rights Watch, but will also work out of the Hivos office in The Hague one day per week.

Salary: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation.

Contact: Please submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, salary requirements, a brief writing sample (unedited by others), and contact information for three references to devjobs@hrw.org. Please use “Communications OfficerRef DEV-12-1027-A” as the subject of your email.

Only complete applications will be reviewed and only qualified candidates will be contacted.

Human Rights Watch is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices and, in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seeks a diverse applicant pool.

Human Rights Watch is an international human rights monitoring and advocacy organization known for its in-depth investigations, its incisive and timely reporting, its innovative and high-profile advocacy campaigns, and its success in changing the human rights-related policies and practices of influential governments and international institutions.

Hivos is a Dutch development organisation guided by humanist values. Together with local civil society organisations in developing countries, Hivos wants to contribute to a free, fair and sustainable world. A world in which all citizens – both women and men – have equal access to opportunities and resources for development and can participate actively and equally in decision-making processes that determine their lives, their society and their future.