Community Engagement & Communications Coordinator

Job Description

IRC Background: The mission of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933, the IRC has a presence in over 40 countries and 27 offices in the United States; the IRC leads the way from harm to home. IRC opened an office in Seattle in 1976 and provides a continuum of services including intensive case management, employment and economic empowerment services, immigration assistance, health and wellness programming, and education support to refugee and immigrant families in Washington State. IRC Washington is committed to providing trauma-informed, equitable, and accessible services and maintaining and evolving a diverse, inclusive, and supportive workplace.

Job Overview: Under the direction of the Development Manager, the Community Engagement and Communications Coordinator is technical lead to recruit, screen, train, supervise recruited volunteers, interns, and mentors; provide on-going support and guidance; and support in outreach in the community. The Coordinator works closely with the Development Manager to plan, coordinate, and facilitate events raising support and awareness for the IRC in Washington. Along with raising awareness and accomplishing the mission of the IRC through events, the Coordinator works with partner agency leaders to increase community awareness of IRC’s activities and relevant issues, mobilizing and organizing the community around advocacy and education efforts, and leads internal and external communications efforts. Through the creation of compelling written materials, the Coordinator provides external partners, clients, volunteers, donors, and community members with information about the IRC in Washington on various platforms. The Community Engagement and Communications Coordinator works closely with IRC and partner agency leaders to increase community awareness of IRC’s activities and relevant issues, mobilizing and organizing the community around advocacy and education efforts, and leads internal and external communications efforts.

Major Responsibilities:

Community & Volunteer Engagement

- Ensure the IRC maintains an active, effective, professionally managed intern and volunteer program by supporting the Volunteer and Communications Specialist in building volunteer and internship recruitment, management, and onboarding processes and strategies. - Aid with volunteer and intern events, trainings, onboarding, and efforts as needed - Build relationships with community groups, corporate partners, and faith groups and facilitate group volunteer projects, fundraisers, in-kind donations, and partners.

Communications

· Informed by local office strategy, create annual communications plan with specific and measurable goals to highlight the work of the IRC, improve fundraising opportunities, mobilize community advocates, reach new program participants, and create and strengthen partnerships within the community.

- Serve as media relations focal point, facilitating proactive and reactive media engagement. Monitor local and national press related to issues impacting the IRC’s work. Serve as liaison and point of contact between the IRC’s HQ Communications team and IRC Washington.

· Cultivate a comprehensive media contact list, proactively pitch stories to local and national media contacts, develop and maintain relationships with media partners to showcase the work of the IRC and partner agencies.

- Provide messaging and branding oversight for external communications. Ensure the production and distribution of communications materials, including brochures, monthly newsletters, website updates, graphics, social media and blog content and press releases that improve visibility to stakeholders, key decision-makers and other interested parties. - Serve as lead writer and designer for a variety of external communications, including annual reports, press releases, infographics, and di Support fundraising and donor cultivation strategies and targets. - Support Development Manager in executing digital fundraising efforts including giving day campaigns, emergency campaigns, peer to peer online campaigns, and email fundraising appeals. - Support with managing social media accounts along with Volunteer and Communications Specialist to create and curate compelling content, consistently grow followers, and increase audience engagement, brand awareness, mobilize community advocates and improve fundraising opportunities. - Work cross-departmentally to build a culture of storytelling, curating staff, program, and client stories and crafting compelling, well-designed content to support fundraising, marketing, programmatic, and advocacy goals. - Ensure IRC websites, social media, brochures, marketing content, and other outreach materials are up-to-date and updated regularly

• Prepare staff and/or clients for interviews, speaking events, and/or advocacy opportunities.

Outreach and Events

- Organize, plan, and execute in the coordination of IRC-organized fundraisers, events, and community engagements - Plan, promote, and facilitate online events for donors and community members

• Build and maintain relationships with local partners including universities, community groups, corporate groups, and partner organizations. Assist in raising awareness about IRC and issues related to our work.

• Represent IRC at meetings, speaking engagements, coalition events, etc. Conduct outreach and networking activities to educate and cultivate potential donors, volunteers, partners, and advocates.

- Other reasonable tasks and projects as assigned.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Position Reports to: Development Manager Position directly supervises: n/a

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Executive Director, Development Team, other resource development staff, all IRC Seattle program teams

External: Media, Partners, Donors, Volunteers, Interns

Job Requirements:

- Relevant degree or equivalent professional and/or lived experience - Prior experience with communications, community and or/volunteer engagement and other related duties in the non-profit sector preferred but not strictly necessary

Demonstrated Skills & Competencies:

· Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to work effectively and professionally with community members, partners, volunteers, donors, clients, and colleagues

· Ongoing commitment to anti-racism

· English proficiency; clear and professional written communication skills and strong editing skills.

· Comfortable adapting to changing needs and priorities.

· Strong organizational and time management skills.

· Ability to work independently.

· Familiarity with social media (Facebook, etc.) within a professional context.

· Ability to share stories on social media and web platforms clearly and compellingly

· Strong attention to detail, related to data entry, documentation, and copyediting.

· Experience creating flyers, informational one-pagers, and/or online graphics

· Experience coordinating events and engaging volunteers

· Past experience with graphic design preferred, not required

· Proficient in Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

· Experience using donor CRM systems, especially Salesforce, preferred.

· Knowledge and understanding of ethics and confidentiality related to fundraising preferred.

Working Environment:

· Must be based in the service delivery area.

· A combination of standard office environment, remote work, and ‘field’ time within the service delivery area to perform the above outlined. May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.

· Must have a valid driver’s license with legally required insurance. Position will require using own transportation within service delivery area. Mileage reimbursement where applicable.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement****: In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires candidates who are selected for interview to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for this position.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity****: IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.

Equal Opportunity Employer****: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Please apply at http://www.rescue.org/careers

Qualifications