Regional Communications Officer, LACRO

About CRS

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.

Job Summary

The Regional Communications Officer (RCO) for Latin America and the Caribbean (LACRO) is responsible for managing CRS’ marketing and communications (MarCom) in the region. A successful RCO will apply strategic thinking to develop effective communications strategies that position CRS as an industry leader with influential audiences, in the United States and regionally, including institutional donors, government, U.S. media and others. To bring these strategies to life, the RCO will develop and implement communications campaigns, generate content for a variety of channels and conduct media outreach and public relations.

To be effective, the RCO will travel throughout the region to capture and create high-quality written and multimedia content that demonstrates CRS’ impact. The RCO will also build

strong relationships with U.S. foreign correspondents and other journalists and regularly place CRS in high-level U.S. media. In addition, the successful candidate will apply creative approaches and evidence-based storytelling to independently produce content for social media campaigns, CRS’ website and donor publications, among others, through photography/videography and compelling writing. Working with country program communications staff and providing ongoing support, the RCO will ensure strong and consistent branding and messaging across the region. The RCO will mentor and convene colleagues to achieve shared goals related to regional/country priorities and CRS’ strategy.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Help create and implement MarCom strategies and plans at the regional and country program level that raise CRS’ visibility through a variety of communications channels, including public events and campaigns.
• As needed, provide writing services for and oversee production of key promotional material for regional communications initiatives.
• Travel throughout the region to gather information on CRS and partner programs and create compelling content, including stories and factsheets, photos, and videos, that can be used for marketing and communications materials across platforms and for different audiences. Use an equity in storytelling framework to ensure adherence to ethical storytelling principles throughout content capture, packaging and dissemination.
• Identify and use effective distribution channels to disseminate marketing materials to key audiences.
• Help manage the design and production of creative and compelling communication and marketing material and in conjunction with country program and HQ MarCom staff, coordinate visits of freelancers to the region.
• Establish and maintain relationships with U.S. and international media representatives based in the region and regularly place CRS in high level and strategic media to increase awareness of CRS.
• Support country program communications staff in the development and execution of annual work plans for communications and marketing.
• Mentor country program communications staff in technical skills.
• Support local leadership communications initiatives for both CRS and partner staff.

Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree, preferably in journalism, communications or related field.
2. Solid understanding of a variety of audiences (donor organizations, U.S. constituents, U.S. media, peer organizations, etc.) and channels to reach them.
3. Experience working with U.S. and international media with a proven track record of high-level media placements.
4. Experience working in international development.
5. Excellent written and oral communication skills (English and Spanish).
6. A combination of photography, videography and graphic design experience.
7. Good knowledge of social media, especially Facebook.
8. Ability to cultivate collaborative relationships with key staff, relevant government agencies, partners, donors, and other key stakeholders to promote and execute LACRO communications strategies.

Required Languages – Fluency in English and Spanish both written and spoken is essential

Travel– Must be willing and able to travel up to 30-40%

Supervisory Responsibilities – Dotted line supervision of country program Comms staff

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Personal Accountability
• Acts with Integrity
• Collaborates with Others
• Builds and Maintains Trust
• Open to Learn
• Strategic Mindset
• Develops and Recognizes Others

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people – especially children and vulnerable adults – to live free from abuse and harm.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

What we offer

CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, generous retirement savings plan and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Help create and implement MarCom strategies and plans at the regional and country program level that raise CRS’ visibility through a variety of communications channels, including public events and campaigns.
• As needed, provide writing services for and oversee production of key promotional material for regional communications initiatives.
• Travel throughout the region to gather information on CRS and partner programs and create compelling content, including stories and factsheets, photos, and videos, that can be used for marketing and communications materials across platforms and for different audiences. Use an equity in storytelling framework to ensure adherence to ethical storytelling principles throughout content capture, packaging and dissemination.
• Identify and use effective distribution channels to disseminate marketing materials to key audiences.
• Help manage the design and production of creative and compelling communication and marketing material and in conjunction with country program and HQ MarCom staff, coordinate visits of freelancers to the region.
• Establish and maintain relationships with U.S. and international media representatives based in the region and regularly place CRS in high level and strategic media to increase awareness of CRS.
• Support country program communications staff in the development and execution of annual work plans for communications and marketing.
• Mentor country program communications staff in technical skills.
• Support local leadership communications initiatives for both CRS and partner staff.

QUALIFICATIONS

Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree, preferably in journalism, communications or related field.
2. Solid understanding of a variety of audiences (donor organizations, U.S. constituents, U.S. media, peer organizations, etc.) and channels to reach them.
3. Experience working with U.S. and international media with a proven track record of high-level media placements.
4. Experience working in international development.
5. Excellent written and oral communication skills (English and Spanish).
6. A combination of photography, videography and graphic design experience.
7. Good knowledge of social media, especially Facebook.
8. Ability to cultivate collaborative relationships with key staff, relevant government agencies, partners, donors, and other key stakeholders to promote and execute LACRO communications strategies.

Required Languages – Fluency in English and Spanish both written and spoken is essential

Travel– Must be willing and able to travel up to 30-40%

Supervisory Responsibilities – Dotted line supervision of country program Comms staff

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Personal Accountability
• Acts with Integrity
• Collaborates with Others
• Builds and Maintains Trust
• Open to Learn
• Strategic Mindset
• Develops and Recognizes Others

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people – especially children and vulnerable adults – to live free from abuse and harm.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

What we offer

CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, generous retirement savings plan and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

ABOUT US

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

ABOUT THE TEAM

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people – especially children and vulnerable adults – to live free from abuse and harm.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate or global telecommuter, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer