Communications Manager

Working at the intersection of human rights, technology policy, and corporate social responsibility, Global Network Initiative (GNI) seeks a Communications Manager to help increase the visibility of our work to advance freedom of expression and privacy rights worldwide. This is an opportunity to work with GNI’s fast-expanding multi-stakeholder membership of ICT companies, civil society organizations, investors, and academics.

Key Activities of GNI

• Maintaining a framework of international human rights-based Principles and Implementation Guidelines to guide companies in their responses to government pressure and requests to censor, hand over, or otherwise restrict access to user and customer data – wherever they operate in the world.
• Overseeing an independent accountability mechanism focused on the GNI Principles and Implementation Guidelines, which all our members sign up to, including internal and public reporting on that process.
• Staffing support for GNI’s diverse 50+ global membership, our multi-stakeholder constituencies and Board, GNI committees and collaborative work-streams focused on developing and strengthening collective learning, policy development, accountability, transparency and other issues.
• Devising and executing learning opportunities and events with our members, designed to develop resources, strategies and collaborations to respond to complex and emerging online privacy and free expression issues.
• Engagement with governments, international institutions, policymakers, the media, and other key stakeholders around the world to leverage our unique voice in global debates around free expression, privacy and company responsibilities.

Position Responsibilities

The Communications Manager will be based in Washington DC, report to the Executive Director based in Amsterdam, and work closely with the GNI Policy Director, GNI Learning & Development director and other GNI staff, as well as with GNI Board members and committees. S/he will work collaboratively to create, implement, and oversee internal and external communications programs that effectively describe the organization’s multi-stakeholder model, and help ensure meaningful participation by all GNI members.

Duties Include

• Developing and implementing an external communications strategy, so as to increase brand awareness and recognition for GNI and to reach out to external stakeholders and respond to the needs of targeted audiences.
• Implementing and developing internal communications tools to ensure that GNI participants are kept informed and engaged and ensuring that GNI’s internal and external communications and messages effectively and consistently describe GNI and its goals and activities.
• Managing the production of GNI publications, including policy reports and briefs, annual reports, minutes, public reporting on company assessments, newsletters and internal member communications.
• Working with GNI members and staff to draft, edit and refine press releases, talking points, blog posts, speeches, grant applications and other external communications.
• Overseeing and growing GNI’s external recognition and branding, including the content of GNI’s website, our social media presence, media monitoring and outreach to mainstream and technology-focused media.
• Managing the logistics and communications support for GNI policy and learning events in DC and in other locations or remotely.
• Supporting the on-boarding of new members and facilitating the meaningful engagement of the membership in GNI activities.
• Overseeing the maintenance of GNI’s contact database, member information, events and publications calendar, and other communications tools.
• Conducting other tasks as appropriate to support GNI’s mission.

Qualifications

This position is applicable to people with at least 5 years of relevant experience. An ideal candidate would demonstrate the following:

• Graduate degree and/or equivalent experience in communications, public affairs, advocacy or journalism; and a demonstrated interest/knowledge related to one or more of these fields: international human rights law or policy, corporate social responsibility, technology policy.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills and judgement — including report writing, letter drafting and writing for the media and varied external audiences.
• Strong writing, editing and proofreading skills, including writing for social media.
• Experience with media enquiries and/or working with journalists or in the media.
• Understanding of current trends in digital/social media
• Experience with events management.
• Confidence/experience in multi-stakeholder environments and differing cultural settings, and in working with diverse constituencies.
• Exceptional project and time management, planning and organizational skills, resourcefulness and attention to detail. Ability to work independently, under pressure, and in a small team.
• Fluency in English is required, and proficiency in another language is an advantage.
• Familiarity with HTML, Content Management Systems, and Adobe Suite (Indesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) an advantage.

To apply: Please visit the GNI website for application instructions. Apply by November 21, 2017.