Digital Communications Strategist Manager- REMOTE

Overview

• Work Location: Remote globally; UTC±0 to UTC+3 time zones preferred; must overlap at least 3 hours daily with U.S. Eastern time zone
• Application Close Date: Open till position is filled
• Estimated Start date: April 3rd 2023
• Department: Philanthropy & External Relations
• Reports to: Director of Philanthropy & External Relations
• Terms: Full-time, one year initial contract
• Travel: 10-20% available to HOT Regional Hubs or project locations
• Level: 7

About HOT

Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT) sits at the nexus of participatory mapping, community-led development, humanitarian response, open data and tech. With a talented and diverse team spread around the globe, HOT is an NGO which supports a dynamic global community of thousands of dedicated volunteers using maps and open data for humanitarian response and the Sustainable Development Goals. Working with humanitarian and development partners like the Red Cross, Médecins Sans Frontières, UN agencies, governments and others, the HOT community maps in solidarity with those affected by or at risk of disaster, contributing the maps and data aid workers need to do their lifesaving work.

In 2020 the work of the HOT community was recognized by TED’s Audacious Project, a collaborative philanthropic initiative that serves as a springboard for social impact on a grand scale, leading to an exciting new phase of growth. HOT is expanding its activities: opening four regional hubs and scaling up its support to local mapping communities with the audacious goal of mapping an area home to one billion people in 94 countries at high risk of disasters or experiencing poverty – mapping with communities before they are in crisis.

About You

You think outside of the box, and understand the digital communications landscape of the nonprofit and humanitarian sector and are able to translate knowledge to inspire action
You are an effective learner, able to distill complex activities and approaches into simple, yet nuanced messaging.
You are a creative innovator and have the ability to cut through existing content to create fresh, exciting messaging and design to engage our audiences. You deliver impactful, relèvent and buzz worthy digital content.
You are a collaborative, agile leader: you take initiative and you are passionate about supporting a global communications team to create compelling content adapted to local contexts.
You are principled, able to hold HOT’s various teams accountable to design and content best practices & standards that will enhance our digital presence in the sector.

About the Role

The Digital Communications Manager role is new at HOT, as we work to expand our brand awareness and the specific engagement of our three key audiences. The Digital Communications Manager will be responsible for increasing visibility for HOT as a leader in open mapping for and with communities around the world through developing:

1. A digital communications strategy that clarifies HOT’s brand and elevates it to a new level. The digital communication strategy should encompass all digital channels but will have a special focus on HOT’s website as a tool for awareness, programmatic engagement and fundraising. There is a need to distill and differentiate HOT’s messaging to make it simple to understand yet nuanced enough for the various users we want to engage. There are also opportunities to scale awareness via strategic partnerships with media and press, at the global and regional level.
2. A digital fundraising strategy, in partnership with the philanthropy team, that builds on the above and brings HOT’s stories, impact, and overall brand into an effective digital fundraising campaign(s) to engage existing and new donors in our journey in partnership with our philanthropy team.

Responsibilities

Digital Communications

• Together with HOT’s leadership, develop, hone and own HOT’s messaging – both at a high level and tailored to specific audiences, understanding the importance of local voices.
• Increase engagement across lapsed, past, active and prospective audiences, using analytics to make informed decisions.
• Own HOT’s website, social media, and other digital collateral (newsletters, ads, promotional materials, etc) including HOT’s current website transition process.
• Create a streamlined digital presence across channels and plans for the year and beyond, with the website as a central focus.
• Explore a media strategy, pitching stories to local and global press outlets and industry leaders
• Support HOT’s regional open mapping hub communications strategies by providing foundational messaging, content and branding as well as mentorship and amplification of regional content to tell the story of HOT in a way which is meaningful to the audiences they serve.
• Manage relationships with external professional contractors (web developers, videographers, photographers, graphic designers, etc.)

Digital Awareness + Fundraising Strategy

• Build a digital, multi-year fundraising communications strategy together with the Director of Philanthropy & External Relations
• Design strategic multi-channel fundraising campaigns around HOT’s impact areas, regional hub activities, and other relevant, cutting edge themes in the sector
• Strategically analyze the success of campaigns based on website and social media analytics, refine and adjust tactics based on the data to maximize engagement of the website and other channels.
• Support special events, corporate partnerships, and cause-marketing arrangements
• Support fundraising, communications and special events; may handle public speaking appearances, work at fundraising events or attend activities as a HOT representative.

Qualifications

Essential

• Inspiring action: proven experience creating communications that have inspired individuals or communities to take action, in any form (activism, advocacy, volunteering, etc).
• Digital marketing + Strategic communications: Proven track record 5+ years in understanding audiences and owning user journeys. Ability to create content for messaging and promotion, digital advertising, data visualization and search engine optimization (SEO).
• Website & Online Platform Management: Skill in managing a website, developing and implementing email fundraising campaigns, and strategizing for social media platforms.
• Communications Efficacy Evaluation: Skill in tracking key performance indicators and making data-driven recommendations.
• Team Leadership: Experience with managing remote and diverse teams across time zones, regions and cultures.
• Writing Skills: Excellent command of the English language; Outstanding grammar and written communications skills, especially concise synopsis.
• Software/Platforms: Knowledge and skill in using Google Office Suite & Analytics, Adobe Design Suite, Canva, Wagtail or other CMS systems, and open source alternatives to these and other digital platforms. Knowledge of and skill in using Salesforce, Airtable or other relational database systems in order to enhance integration with the website.
• Time management/Organizational skills: Skill in working on multiple projects at a time under tight deadlines and in project management overall. Excellent attention to detail and ability to proactively design and execute your own area of work.
  Interpersonal/Communications: Energetic, enthusiastic, rapport-building people person with skill in building and sustaining relationships; Ability to work independently, and on a team, and successfully meet goals and objectives.
• Inclusion and digital ethics: Understanding of different access levels internationally, incl. those who don’t always have access to stable internet, up-to-date devices, desktops, time, funds, etc.
• Ways of working: Adaptability and responsiveness; a proven ability to respond to feedback and adjust approach for success

Desirable

• Demonstrates commitment to mapping movement at large and/or humanitarian principles.
• Demonstrable success in growing, managing and supporting online communities and community platforms, especially in open source / open data or activism / advocacy spaces.
• Spanish and/or French fluency or working proficiency
• You are committed to, interested by, and understand how to work within ‘New Power’ structures (precis: https://hbr.org/2014/12/understanding-new-power, but we recommend reading the book if you haven’t already!)

Are you missing a few of the technical skills listed? We would still like to see your application. While the skills above fit our vision of this role, we are open to those candidates with a strong knowledge foundation that are fast learners and highly motivated to close any skill gaps.

Compensation and Benefits

HOT values transparency and equity. All HOT compensation globally is set according to a framework detailed on our website. HOT also offers:

• Fully remote & flexible work arrangements
• Flexible public holidays
• Paid time off
• Home Office Allowance
• Healthy Staff allowance or group plan
• Learning & Development Opportunities
• Book Stipend
• Collaborating with a fast-growing, dedicated team who values humanitarianism, free, open-source, and accessible data

Equal Opportunity

We seek to recruit persons that reflect the diversity of the communities we work with. HOT does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, physical ability, religious or belief systems, political convictions, or sexual orientation. Further, HOT seeks to support the development and advancement of staff within the organization. Our staff includes people who are parents and nonparents, the self-taught and university educated, and from a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds, lived experiences, and perspectives on the world. HOT is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to live our values and promote inclusivity in all locations. All of our staff work collectively and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds, where the work of all is valued and respected.

HOT is committed to diversity within our team, and recognizes our role in closing the digital divide, including identifying obstacles that certain groups face in developing skills needed for roles in the humanitarian & technology sectors. Women, nationals of developing countries, and members of other underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.