Communications Assistant, FOLU

Job Summary:

As the Communications Assistant, you will support outreach activities, with a strong focus on social media and the Food and Land Use Coalition (FOLU) website. You will support other key communications activities, including writing and editing, media engagement, stakeholder engagement, presentations, events, and more. In this role you will have the opportunity to apply hands-on communications skills daily, working closely with subject matter experts and communications colleagues around the world. You will be supporting a highly motivated team using communications to address global environment, sustainability, economic and human well-being issues, with a strong focus on food production, diets, land use, agricultural practices, trade, etc. You will be part of the FOLU Secretariat and report to the Communications Manager.

Job Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement digital strategies across the web and social media (Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube etc.)
• Monitor social media activity from FOLU partners, Ambassadors, country platforms, and more broadly, monitor topics of interest online, and ensure FOLU is part of the conversation and promoting relevant content
• Support preparation of communications toolkits for key activities (such as social media toolkits for launches)
• Create and curate professional and engaging content including social media and blog posts, website stories, thought pieces, and multimedia
• Ensure FOLU communications assets are consistent in language, tone and style
• Manage internal and external event/milestone calendars
• Support and/or lead email marketing campaigns including e-newsletters
• Support media research and outreach including monitoring for opportunities, tracking news stories (using Meltwater, Cision, Hootsuite), preparing regular clips reports, writing pitches, utilizing FOLU’s and WRI’s media database (Cision), and responding to incoming requests
• Monitor and analyze key online trends and issues related to FOLU, to support reputational management, as well as research and engagement decisions
• Help develop communications strategies and messages to support FOLU activities, report launches, announcements, and events
• Coordinate communications activities across the FOLU Coalition, including through working closely with FOLU’s global communications network and WRI’s Core Communications team
• Write and edit blogs, op-eds, PPT presentations, talking points and other communications mate-rials
• Support internal and external events, including helping to design events, prepare speakers, and manage logistics
• Perform other related duties as assigned to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of FO-LU’s communications team and the overall program

Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, international relations, public policy, or related field; relevant work experience in lieu of degree is accepted
• Minimum of 1 year of full time, relevant experience in communications, in journalism, public relations, or similar field; internships may be counted towards this requirement
• Highly motivated, proactive work style with excellent organizational skills
• Ability to juggle multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a fast-paced office environment, both independently and as part of a team
• Good knowledge of digital content, including web copy, blogs, and social media
• Experience with Content Management Systems (CM) such as WordPress or Squarespace
• Experience with digital monitoring and marketing platforms such as Cision, Hootsuite, Brand-watch and Mailchimp
• Experience with event planning and logistics is desirable
• Interest in and commitment to the environment, sustainability and international development/relations and a strong commitment to WRI’s mission and values
• Basic graphic design and PowerPoint skills
• Strong writing and editing skills
• UK work authorization is required for this opportunity

How to Apply:

Please submit a resume with a cover letter. Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered. 

Program Overview:

Program Overview Food and Land Use Coalition The Food and Land Use Coalition (FOLU) is a self-governed Coalition of organizations and individuals working collaboratively to achieve a shared objective: the urgent transformation of food and land-use systems to deliver a better future for people, nature and climate. FOLU supports science-based solutions and helps to build a shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities to unlock collective, ambitious action. FOLU’s Growing Better report recommends an integrated reform agenda along ten critical transitions to deliver positive outcomes for the environment, health, inclusive development, and food security, ensuring food and land use systems support delivery of globally agreed sustainable development, climate and biodiversity goals. FOLU’s light-touch governance and adaptive management have enabled the FOLU community to grow and evolve since FOLU’s inception in 2017.

The Coalition’s collective leadership is provided by a Core Partners Group comprised of: The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), EAT, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), SYSTEMIQ, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO), and the World Resources Institute (WRI). Through the Food, Agriculture, Biodiversity, Land Use, and Energy (FABLE) Consortium, FOLU has expert teams and networks in 18 countries, including the European Union. FABLE is a knowledge network that supports countries develop data and modeling infrastructure to promote ambitious, integrated strategies towards sustainable land use and food systems. FOLU country platforms are operating in: China, Colombia, Ethiopia, India, and Indonesia, with partner networks in Australia, the UK, and the Nordic region. FOLU is currently developing country platforms in Sub-Saharan Africa.

FOLU is coordinated by a Programme Office housed at the WRI London office. Other FOLU partners pro-vide human resources that contribute to the Programme Office, including the team managing the FABLE network. WRI Overview WRI Overview For the 2020-2023 period, the FOLU Programme Management Office will be hosted by the World Resources Institute (WRI).

WRI Overview:

World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade in order to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean.

We are passionate. We value our diversity of interests, skills, and backgrounds. We have a flexible work environment. And we share a common goal to catalyze change that will improve the lives of people. Our shared ideals are at the core of our approach. They include: integrity, innovation, urgency, independence, and respect.

The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps, and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business, and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.

We have been growing rapidly: our staff has doubled in size over the past 5 years, and our operating budget is now $150 million. Founded in 1982, WRI has a global staff of 1,000+ people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and the United States, as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.  

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices.