Job Advertisement - Communications and Events Officer, Water Tracker for National Climate Plans
Title: Communications and Events Officer, Water Tracker for National Climate Plans
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer
Term: limited full-time, 1-yr contract with option to extend, based on available funding
Company Background
The Alliance for Global Water Adaptation (AGWA) is an international members-based NGO working to develop, support, and mainstream climate-resilient water management through technical programs and policy processes. AGWA is made up of over 2000 members, largely professionals from the water community representing utilities, academia, development banks, NGOs, government agencies, financial institutions, and the private sector. A small secretariat runs the daily operations of AGWA, while many of its initiatives are crowd-sourced across the network. AGWA’s headquarters are based in Oregon, USA but its activities take place globally.
Job Summary
AGWA is seeking a motivated, multi-talented individual to take on the role of Communications and Events Officer for a new one-year program of work called the Water Tracker for National Climate Plans. In this position, you will work closely as part of a remote team while reporting to AGWA’s COO. Close collaboration is also anticipated with a Water Tracker Project Manager (also a new position), AGWA’s Executive and Policy Directors, and external NGO and government partners. The position is currently configured with a one-year contract, with strong potential for extension.
The project will develop, validate, and promote a tool for countries seeking to use water resilience as a mechanism to enhance, coordinate, and implement national climate plans such as NDCs, NAPs, and other emerging policy and planning frameworks. Direct country engagement will be an essential element of co-creating and piloting the Water Tracker, in collaboration with a set of convening partners that includes NGOs, think tanks, UN agencies, and funding institutions such as development banks. You will work under the supervision of the AGWA COO.
As such the position requires a strong background (Master’s level or above) in water management and/or policy issues, a familiarity with climate policy (especially with regard to water issues, preferably with an emphasis on adaptation and resilience), and experience with direct media engagement. Work functions will fall broadly into two categories: project communications and events management.
Communications and outreach will include the following functions: preparation and support of media products in collaboration with AGWA staff and project partners that promote awareness and support of the project as it evolves, promotion of project events and key outputs (including press releases but moving beyond these as well), publicity coordination with key partners and direct promotion to media sources, support for the AGWA newsletters in regard to project updates, plus ongoing, direct, and regular formal project outreach to project partners and allies. Demonstrated skills in social media (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.), publicity, outreach, writing and editing, press releases, media engagement, and related areas are important. Experience with visual design, podcast editing, and other media are appreciated. Collaborative support for fundraising is likely.
For events management, a number of key events are planned over the coming year regarding the Water Tracker, including but not limited to UNFCCC COP26. Your role would be to act as the point person in developing and coordinating these events, virtual and in-person, some of which will involve high-ranking, stressed, and busy partners requiring sensitive, creative, and formal engagement skills. You will work with others on the AGWA team and beyond to create agendas, select and recruit speakers, handle logistics, stage-manage in some cases, and promote the events. Some international travel is expected, and candidates would ideally be fully Covid-19 vaccinated by September 2021.
Outreach and communications will be the second domain of work, which will include the following functions: ongoing, direct, and regular formal project outreach to project partners and allies, support for the AGWA newsletters in regard to project updates, preparation and support of media products in collaboration with AGWA staff and project partners that promote awareness and support of the project as it evolves, promotion of project events and key outputs (including press releases but moving beyond these as well), and publicity coordination with key partners and direct promotion to media sources. Demonstrated skills in social media (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.), publicity, outreach, writing and editing, press releases, media engagement, and related areas are important. Experience with visual design, podcast editing, and other media are appreciated. Collaborative support for fundraising is likely.
AGWA’s work culture is dynamic and fast moving and requires an independent, self-motivated and self-directed approach, with the flexibility to work across time zones, levels of formality, and culture. We may have more in common with a high-tech startup in our work culture than a more traditional NGO or think tank. You will create your own network of resources and partners over the course of this project. We expect staff to communicate progress, problems, and solutions early and often in a deeply collaborative, practical, and (if possible) humble and even humorous way. We find that investigation, creativity, and learning are critical for successful outcomes for most of our projects. AGWA will stretch you! Given our small size, the ability to troubleshoot is essential. So is the ability to ask for and receive help.
Please note, renewal of this position beyond the project end date is contingent on securing additional funding that will be negotiated in the first quarter of 2022.
Job Responsibilities
Communications and Outreach
Develop and implement strategies for traditional media and social media to help amplify messaging and advance the project’s objectives.
Lead project publicity with traditional and non-traditional journalists, co-create written, aural, and visual content, and engage in proactive media relations, including reaching out directly to journalists and new media (e.g., Twitter, blogs, podcasts).
Manage major project report releases and announcements, including the preparation of press releases.
Communicate complex issues and policies in simple, strategic, and persuasive ways to a wide variety of audiences.
Monitor and track metrics to evaluate external communications as a means of measuring impact.
Assist with production of major project reports and deliverables.
Serve as a conduit for communication among the large cohort of partners and countries involved in developing the Water Tracker.
Along with Project Manager, monitor partners’ activities as well as overall progress and deliverables against project timeline to keep development and implementation of the Water Tracker on schedule.
Events Management
Organize and execute project events and meetings at high-level international climate meetings such as COP26 and the SWA Sectors Ministers Meeting (SMM), among others.
If needed, attend and support international meetings and conferences such as the Petersburg Dialogues and COP26 (this component is anticipated to be virtual until the curtailment of international Covid-19 restrictions, which may or may not take place prior to 31 March 2022. Any travel will be discussed and agreed to in advance).
Qualifications
Master’s degree or equivalent in studies related to water management and/or policy issues, or similar field. Familiarity with climate policy is needed.
Minimum of 2 years of relevant, full time work experience related to communications and/or project management, particularly around water and/or climate issues.
Experience with media management, publicity, and direct media engagement is strongly preferred.
International experience is strongly preferred.
Ability to effectively communicate and package messaging for a wide range of audiences including high-level political representatives, the finance community, civil society groups, and the general public.
Ability to communicate across different categories of media and outlets (e.g., social media posts, flyers, press releases).
Experience with visual design, podcast editing, and other media is appreciated.
Candidate must be self-motivated with an ability to handle multiple priorities and work under tight deadlines.
Ability to work effectively remotely and as part of a team.
Strong writing and oral presentation skills in English are essential; fluency in other languages an advantage.
Working knowledge of Google Suite products (e.g., Google Docs, Google Calendar).
Willingness to take on flexible work hours as needed as part of an international program of work.
Preference for someone located in the U.S. states of Oregon or Washington, though others will be considered.
How to Apply
Please submit a cover letter with resume to amauroner@alliance4water.org.