Communications Specialist

Title: Communications Specialist

Location: Washington, DC, United States

Department: Communications & Engagement

Job Description:

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days/month in the office. You will be based in our office in Washington DC. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position. To be eligible for this position in US, you must be a resident of DC, Maryland or Virginia at the start of employment.

About the Program:

WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities is the World Resources Institute's program dedicated to shaping a future where cities work better for everyone.
We focus on integrated solutions to long-standing and new urban challenges. Through innovative research, deep engagement with urban leaders, and global partnerships, our network of local and international experts puts cities on a trajectory of more sustainable and equitable development. We catalyze and accelerate transformative urban initiatives that turn cities into resilient, inclusive, low-carbon places that are good for people and the planet.
The decisions that national leaders, local officials, developers and planners make today will determine how billions of people in urban centers will live over the next century. Already, half the global population resides in cities. That figure is set to increase to 70% by 2050. Traditional models of city development can lock us into congestion, sprawl, and inefficient and inequitable resource use. However, compact, connected and efficient growth can help ensure more competitive cities and provide a better quality of life for more people.
We are a team of 500+ local and international experts with deep expertise in urban planning and development, mobility, energy efficiency, resilience, housing, water management and more. 80% of our staff are based in offices in Brazil, China, Colombia, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, the Netherlands, Mexico and T rkiye. We focus primarily on cities in the global south: Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, East Asia, South Asia and the Pacific. Cities here represent the greatest opportunity for a radical shift in how urban areas are planned, built and governed. We also work at the front lines of the mobility and energy revolutions, including in the United States.

Job Highlight:

You will be responsible for integrating equity into your work. You will report to Senior Communications Manager.

In this role you will:
 

• Create and implement a robust social media strategy to keep and grow the WRI Ross Center's audience online
• Produce and manage a content calendar for social media channels, including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram, and regularly conduct and analyze success metrics
• Lead creative social media campaigns that respond to project needs and identify opportunities to increase engagement with key stakeholders and influencers
• Write and edit engaging, well-crafted, dynamic content for social media and email that includes utilizing videos, graphics, photography and other original content produced by our technical teams
• Produce well-written content contributing to blogs, website content, brochures, presentations and other comms products
• Collaborate closely with the Global Cities Communications Team and Country Office Communications Teams to provide general communications support for events, conferences, webinars and other internal and external engagements
  
  You will be supported by the Global Cities Communications Team and institutional Core Communications Team.
   

What will you do:

Social media production and strategy (75%):
 

• Create and implement a robust social media strategy to keep and grow the WRI Ross Center's audience online
• Produce and manage a content calendar for social media channels, including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram, and conduct and analyze success metrics
• Lead creative social media campaigns that respond to project needs and identify opportunities to increase engagement with key stakeholders and influencers
• Write and edit engaging, well-crafted, dynamic content for social media and email that includes utilizing videos, graphics, photography and other original content produced by our technical teams
   

General communications support (25%):
 

• Produce well-written content contributing to blogs, website content, brochures, presentations and other comms products
• Collaborate with the Global Cities Communications Team, Country Office Communications Teams, and Core Communications to provide general communications support for events, conferences, webinars and other internal and external engagements

What will you need:
 

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in related field
• Experience: at least 3 years of experience in communications, particularly social media
• Languages: English, with Portuguese, French or Spanish as a plus
• Familiarity with social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, and social media management tools such as Emplifi, etc.
• Ability to create social media and email content and assemble communications plans and toolkits
• Familiarity with Canva, InDesign and other design tools
• Ability to conduct and analyze social media metrics in order to come up with actionable data
• Excellent writing, editing and communication skills
• Strong organizational, coordination, and project management skills
• Ability to collaborate with others, demonstrate flexibility in fulfilling assignments, and be proactive in planning, researching, and pitching stories
• Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization

Potential Salary: US salary range is between 69,000 and 78,000 USD. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

What we offer:

• Access to the WRI global network with the opportunity to exchange with and learn from passionate colleagues working at the cutting edge of their fields across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the US
• The chance to have an impact and to develop your career within a mission driven organization with access to varied learning and training opportunities.
• A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work
• The opportunity to join and get involved in different working groups and affinity groups to shape the future of WRI
• Commitment to hybrid working model with flexible working hours
• Generous leave days that increase with tenure
• Medical Coverage, Dental Coverage, Vision Coverage, retirement plan access and employer contribution

About Us:

World Resources Institute works to improve people's lives, protect and restore nature and stabilize the climate. As an independent research organization, we leverage our data, expertise and global reach to influence policy and catalyze change across systems like food, land and water; energy; and cities. Our 2,000+ staff work on the ground in more than a dozen focus countries and with partners in over 50 nations.

Our mission and values:

WRI's mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth's environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.

Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence and Respect.

Our culture:

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission including equal opportunities in employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, caste, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status.