ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW: Congo Initiative is a global community of Congolese leaders and international partners united for the transformation of lives and a flourishing Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Congo Initiative USA invests in higher education, leadership development, and community transformation through our partner organization Congo Initiative – Université Chrétienne Bilingue du Congo (CI-UCBC) located in Beni, DRC. Launched in 2007, CI-UCBC is a four-year university equipping changemakers who holistically renew communities and promote systemic change in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We are a highly collaborative, multicultural, faith-motivated organization committed to human flourishing in Congo.
THE ROLE: The Communications Specialist (CS) will provide critical capacity to CI-USA’s work, which is centered on cultivating networks throughout the United States for financial and other support to advance our mission. The CS will engage with CI leadership, donors, partners, volunteers, and a wider network through communications, marketing outputs, and resource development. The CS will be responsible for designing and implementing innovative marketing material and plans that drive awareness about our programs and their impact. While working closely with CI-USA’s Executive Director and CI-USA Board, the CS will have a balanced blend of strategic thinking and hands-on ability to implement marketing campaigns across multiple channels while providing communications support to cross-functional teams. This is a multifaceted position, requiring someone who is able to multitask extremely well. The CS will be an excellent communicator, a confident self-starter, a creative thinker, and a diligent administrator. This is a full-time position and reports directly to the Executive Director.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Work closely with leadership to design, lead, develop, and implement an integrated communications strategy.
- Produce creative content and impactful marketing materials (e.g., blogs. webinars, presentations, newsletters, content marketing, video, etc.).
- Design and execute persuasive appeals and marketing campaigns and monitor results.
- Maintain our communications tools and online platform (i.e. social media, Salsa Engage).
- Coordinate relationships with MarComm vendors and our global partners.
- Develop success stories and case studies and package them into shareable content.
- Ensure consistency of brand and messaging across plans.
- Contribute as a key member of cross-functional teams.
- Oversee and manage CI’s website, including adding and updating content, collaborating with developers, troubleshooting problems, and making recommendations for improvements.
- Curate and manage CI’s marketing assets (video, photographs, and stories).
- Manage and maintain CI’s editorial calendar.
- Measure the effectiveness of communications efforts, establish benchmarks and use analytics to inform and refine activities.
- Collaborate with CI-UCBC team in Congo to collect content for storytelling and marketing materials.
ABOUT YOU:
- A passion and commitment to CI’s vision and mission.
- 3+ years of experience developing and implementing communications/marketing programs.
- BA/BS or equivalent work experience.
- Strong understanding and experience with multiple demand channels and pipeline development, including print, digital, events, and email marketing.
- Excellent written and oral communication, including confidence in representing CI to a wide range of constituents through various communications channels.
- Demonstrated competence in following graphic design and layout principles.
- Experience working across multiple-functions to achieve a shared objective (e.g. programs, development/fundraising, data-management, grants).
- Experience producing creative content and working with designers to distill complex ideas into actionable content.
- Familiarity and experience with online engagement tools and digital communications, including websites and social media platforms (e.g., LinkedIn, Google, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube).
- Fundraising and/or communication experience, with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders and cultures.
- Ability to work effectively and exercise leadership in a remote, team environment.
- Cross-cultural experience and willingness to travel internationally.
POSITION DETAILS:
EXPECTED START DATE: February/March 2023
SALARY RANGE: $40,000 – $50,000 (commensurate with experience)
WORK SCHEDULE: 30 hours per week. You are requested to work the majority of your hours during standard business hours (approximately 8am-5pm EST), as this is optimal for joining meetings, conference calls, and performing the duties of your position in a manner that is most convenient for being available to both internal and external constituents.
WORK LOCATION: Remote (within the U.S.)
HEALTH ALLOWANCE: Cl-USA provides you with a health allowance under the Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSEHRA) regulations. The Cl-USA allowance functions as a reimbursement to you for any qualified out-of-pocket medical expenses, including health insurance premiums, up to specific IRS-approved limits, depending on whether you have single or family coverage. This benefit is effective on your first day of employment.
VACATION LEAVE: After three months of employment, you will be eligible for 15 days of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave does not carry over from one year to the next, and therefore must all be used within a given calendar year. An increase in vacation time will be considered after four years of employment.
SICK LEAVE: You will receive 10 days of sick leave effective with your first day of employment, and then seven additional days every January 1. Sick leave can accrue from one year to the next, up to a maximum of 90 days.
RETIREMENT BENEFITS: After you have completed one year of employment, Cl-USA will contribute 3% of your gross earnings to a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) IRA retirement account in your name.
A STATEMENT ABOUT OUR IDENTITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
Congo Initiative is a Christian organization driven by faith and rooted in radical hope. We believe that every person is created in the image of God and we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment – respecting differences and ensuring that human dignity is valued for all. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core to our faith and calling, and we value all people regardless of their background, experience, or beliefs. We are called to love one another, stand in solidarity with those oppressed or marginalized, and create an environment that is inclusive, supportive, and just for all people. Demonstrating our commitments, we seek individuals comfortable with communicating and engaging with both communities of faith and non-faith-based audiences. We ask that all employees respect the faith perspectives and practices of our organization and those we collaborate with to advance our mission.
HOW TO APPLY: Please submit a one-page cover letter responding to the questions listed below, your CV/resumé, and a digital portfolio of work samples to emily.rhodes@congoinitiative.org.
Cover Letter Questions:
- What inspired you to apply for this position or why are you interested in Congo Initiative’s mission?
- What is your favorite communications & marketing tool and why do you find it effective?
- Can you share a time that you were a part of a successful fundraising campaign, what was your role, and why do you believe the campaign succeeded?
- Please share a cross-cultural communication experience that helped shape the way you convey a story to an audience of a different culture.
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