Communications Assistant At International Institute for Sustainable Development

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is an award-winning independent think tank working to accelerate solutions for a stable climate, sustainable resource management, and fair economies. Our work inspires better decisions and sparks meaningful action to help people and the planet thrive. We shine a light on what can be achieved when governments, businesses, non-profits, and communities come together. IISD’s staff of more than 250 people come from across the globe and from many disciplines. With offices in Winnipeg, Geneva, Ottawa, and Toronto, our work affects lives in more than 100 countries. We are currently looking for a Communications Assistant to join our Economic Law and Policy (ELP) Program.

IISD’s ELP Program is devoted to supporting the elaboration and improvement of economic governance frameworks and tools that support the achievement of sustainable development objectives. ELP does so by developing research outputs, providing training and capacity support to the relevant stakeholder groups, organizing conferences and dialogues, and various other approaches. Increasingly, our work involves a dedicated virtual component, both in terms of the events we deliver and the communications and outreach efforts we undertake. Our team includes lawyers, economists, policy analysts, and journalists, among others, who are located across various countries and world regions. The program encompasses several workstreams, including investment law and policy; international trade; agriculture; sustainability standards; sustainable finance, procurement, and infrastructure; and mining.

Role

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced communications professional with a talent for making complex ideas accessible to wider audiences and a passion for making an impact through digital communications.

We are looking for a candidate who is an organized multitasker with strong writing and editing skills, expertise in digital media and social media, and a keen interest in sustainable development issues, including multilateral processes on economic governance that support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Responsibilities

• Work with IISD’s policy experts to develop written content that communicates complex policy ideas to broad audiences.
• Develop content for social media and assist in daily management of these accounts, ensuring they are relevant, timely, and engaging, targeted to the needs and interests of key audiences. Analyzes results and reports back on a regular basis.
• Help to implement strategic communications plans for a broad range of projects, reports, and events.
• Use analytics software to monitor, assess, and report on performance of a wide range of a communications products and advise on best practices.
• Ensure brand coherence and compliance with IISD communications practices.
• Engage with journalists and influencers, with the aim of securing targeted coverage for IISD research and initiatives in key outlets. Maintain and update databases of media contacts and conduct media monitoring on a regular basis.
• Track current events related to specific workstreams and communicate these to the relevant colleagues, identifying opportunities for further work and/or public engagement.
• In collaboration with IISD’s design team, support the production of digital content including Twitter cards, posters, videos, etc. Retouch and resize images as needed.
• Maintaining and updating webpages using content management systems (i.e., Drupal, WordPress).
• Continuously discover and sharing new industry best practices to maximize impact.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• 1–3 years of relevant professional experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, public relations, public policy, or a related discipline.
• A high level of computer literacy: must be able to work in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and be familiar with virtual event software, such as Zoom and MS Teams. Knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud applications is an asset.
• Excellent English verbal and written communication skills. Other languages (especially French and Spanish) are an asset.
• Demonstrated interest in issues related to sustainable development, especially economic issues, is an asset.
• Experience and comfort working with online content management systems and website monitoring tools (especially WordPress, Drupal, Google Analytics).
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Self-starter, able to work independently as well as within a team.

Deadline for receiving applications: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the ideal candidate is identified.

Employment Type: Full-time

Salary: €36,380 – €40,423 Annually

Start Date: ASAP

Closing Date: July 31, 2023, 10 p.m. CET

Location: Germany

Duration: indefinite