Program Communications Associate, Early childhood-friendly cities (Nurturing neighborhoods challenge)

Who we are and what we do?

WRI India, an independent charity legally registered as the India Resources Trust, provides objective information and practical proposals to foster environmentally sound and socially equitable development. WRI India’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. Through research, analysis, and recommendations, WRI India puts ideas into action to build transformative solutions to protect the earth, promote livelihoods, and enhance human well-being. 

We are inspired by and associated with World Resources Institute (WRI), a global research organization. Currently over 150 researchers are working with WRI India in our offices at Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. 

Program Overview for Sustainable Cities and Transport

At WRI India Ross Center we focus on 10 integrated solutions to urban challenges. Through applied research, tools, hands-on advice, and by tapping our network of global experts, we accelerate transformative urban initiatives that have the power to change Indian cities into thriving, equitable and low-carbon places that are good for people and the planet.

Working at WRI India Ross Center offers you the unique opportunity to learn and grow as you collaborate with a diverse set of change agents across Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai. As India’s biggest urban focused think and do tank, we seek thoughtful, enterprise-minded and sensitive individuals who can help us support this transformation and make a positive difference to citizens’ everyday lives.

About your role: 

The Communications Associate for Early Childhood Friendly Cities (Nurturing Neighbourhoods Challenge) will work closely with the project team and in coordination with WRI India’s Sustainable Cities communications team. The role entails developing and managing communication and outreach initiatives, liaising with partners, and supervising visual elements for on ground and digital initiatives. The selected candidate will report to Project Manager – Early Childhood Friendly Cities.

The primary responsibilities of this role are media outreach and content creation that involves writing, editing, proof-reading, and creating graphics/visuals, while on-ground event support and website maintenance are additional responsibilities.

We would like a Communications generalist with an interest in early childhood-centric urban development to apply for this position. A candidate with a background in urban development / urban issues would be preferred.

How your day will unfold:

Editorial and Social Media 

• Develop and lead implementation of a communications plan to raise the visibility of the Nurturing Neighbourhoods Challenge initiatives locally, nationally, and internationally. A successful candidate will be a self-starter who will identify communications opportunities, develop content, and ensure timely dissemination across appropriate channels.
• Create, curate and update editorial and social media calendars that effectively highlight the work done by the project team.
• Write and edit communication materials such as op-eds, blog posts, press releases, statements, briefing materials, scripts, and targeted emails on our areas of focus.
• Provide writing, editing and proof-reading support to team members and manage quality control checks on all content to meet WRI India’s standards.
• Create simple infographics graphics/visuals and other digital content and create and maintain a repository of images that can be used across a variety of communications and research products.
• Document on-ground activities visually and through writing – challenges, opportunities and impact.

Media Outreach

• Identify and develop people-oriented change stories and key messages that would interest various media
• Work with the core communications team to write and deliver media pitches to editors and reporters working in text and broadcast, including radio and TV.
• Develop and maintain media lists (traditional as well as new media + social media influencers) mapped to specific work
• Ensure that all WRI India content disbursed to the media is precise, factual, and legally sound. Also, ensuring branding and style guides are adhered to in all outreach materials.
• Increase recognition among thought leaders and decision makers that young children-oriented solutions are effective means for achieving inclusive and resilient urban development.
• Ensure that the project team’s news coverage is promptly and systematically shared on the organization’s social media platforms, websites, and newsletters.

Coordination & Other Responsibilities

• Serve as liaison between WRI India communications and program staff to develop program-related communications.
• Communicating and coordinating with partners and other stakeholders.
• Contribute to web projects and manage backend updates.
• Establish, track and evaluate metrics of success, and adapt strategies to grow and improve outreach results over time
• On-ground and logistics support for events and workshops and coordinating with local vendors.

Qualifications and requirements we see: 

• Around 3-5 years of full-time experience working as: Media communicator in the social sector or an environmental organization and Experience of working on urban issues
• Versatile, highly skilled writer and editor with demonstrable professional writing experience in English
• Proven ability to lead coordination and delivery of communications strategies, messaging, audience targeting, media pitching and other outreach
• An understanding of the various social media platforms used by WRI India (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin) and the ability to create content based on platform-specific requirements.
• Evidence of sector-specific knowledge and experience related to sustainable urban development, early childhood, child-friendly cities, or related areas is an advantage.
• List of established media contacts and networks in India (English and Regional Media) is an advantage
• Proficiency in one or more Indian languages is an advantage.
• Basic familiarity with design software (Photoshop, InDesign) is an added benefit.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, both independently and as part of a team spread across multiple Indian cities
• Ability to think creatively and collaboratively about all elements of communications work
• Adaptable to rapidly changing priorities and able to manage multiple deadlines and deliver high quality work products.
• Highly motivated, proactive work style, willingness to learn, and excellent organizational skills
• Willingness to travel for work at short notice

Key Strengths

Excellent English writing, proof reading and editing skills. The candidate must also have some digital content creation experience. Visual communication expertise and knowledge of photo editing software are a plus but not necessary.

Salary and Benefits: 6,50,000 to 7,50,000 CTC PA

Salary shall be commensurate with experience and skills. WRI offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package.

Duration: 1 year (Extendable based on performance and project requirements)

Location: Mumbai, India 

List of Documents to be attached:

• Cover Letter
• Resume

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview purpose. 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) @WRI India

WRI India values and promotes diversity, equity and inclusion across all areas of our work and workforce. Integrating these values into our actions fosters a progressive and collaborative culture and can also enhance our impact.  It is our responsibility to create a welcoming working environment for people of diverse cultures, backgrounds and experience to learn together. We are responsible for fostering a safe and inclusive workplace where questions, concerns and information about diversity, equity and inclusion are part of our ongoing dialogue and development.

Learn more about WRI India’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Click Here

People-centric to the core:

We keep our people at the centre of everything we do – from a welcoming work environment to benefits and a culture that encourages staff to stay healthy, happy, engaged, and growing.

Some of the non-monetary benefits that our staff get:

Health benefits: We cover health insurance for you and your loved ones for up to INR 8 lakhs

Term Insurance: Our term insurance policy covers life coverage of 50 lakhs per staff member

Employee Assistance program: Promoting mental well-being and supporting staff in achieving a satisfying work-life balance

Digital healthcare service: Online doctor consultations for your primary healthcare needs

Flexible work schedule:  Alternative work arrangements for all who are eligible by nature of their job

Learning culture: Workshops and trainings to empower staff, encourage new learning opportunities

Rest and Recharge weeks: We encourage staff to take time off to rest, rejuvenate, upskill, and pursue their interests.

Our leave policy: Avail personal time off at 36 per year, along with public holidays, maternity, paternity, and adoption leaves.

Click here to know more about our benefits Careers | WRI INDIA (wri-india.org)

Equal employment @WRI India

We believe in equal employment, it is our policy to recruit, and provide opportunities for advancement in all job classifications without regard to caste, religion, sex, age, marital status, sexual preference, parental status, or disability.