Job Description
Candidates will be reviewed as applications are received and the position filled as soon as the appropriate candidate is identified. To apply, please send an email with Communications Officer in the subject line and include with the email a resume, cover letter, and two sample communications products that you have developed to: hr@enviroincentives.com
Environmental Incentives is seeking an experienced, strategic Communications Officer to help us to inspire changes in key audiences’ knowledge, attitudes and behavior to improve the impact and effectiveness of conservation programming. The Communications Officer will be primarily responsible for leading execution of the Communications Strategy of Measuring Impact (MI), a five-year initiative of the Forestry and Biodiversity Office of USAID implemented by Environmental Incentives, Foundations of Success, and ICF International. The project is currently entering its third year. MI is designed to enhance the impact of USAID biodiversity and forestry programs through improved project design, evidence-based programming, and adaptive management.
A secondary responsibility of the Communications Officer will be to assist Environmental Incentives (EI) with development of communications and outreach materials focused on improving performance of public- and private-sector conservation investments in the United States.
Principal responsibilities associated with the Measuring Impact project include:
- Lead implementation of MI’s outreach and dissemination strategy; coordinate with appropriate USAID staff and contractors to ensure that webinars, self-paced tutorials, guidance documents, and new knowledge products are appropriately packaged and disseminated to most effectively reach target audiences;
- Establish strong working relationships with and serve as main point of contact for the Office of Forestry and Biodiversity Communications and Knowledge Management Lead and with other USAID initiatives;
- Lead the translation of technical materials developed by MI into final, targeted communications products, such as factsheets, handouts, blog posts, and social media content;
- Manage final production of MI technical and non-technical documents: quality control, oversight of copy edit and design, coordination of production processes. Oversee the work of subcontractors in some instances, and help produce these products when appropriate.
- Develop and implement a Communications Tracking Log and track dissemination and impact of MI communications. Harmonize communications tracking with MI monitoring systems. Contribute to project reporting.
- As necessary, refine and further develop the existing MI Communications Strategy.
Secondary responsibilities of the Communications Officer include:
- Drive the development of an EI company-wide Communications Strategy that 1) builds on the existing brand platform and portfolio architecture and 2) strengthens internal communication and external marketing to contribute to employees’ and clients’ understanding of EI’s mission, purpose and services;
- Coordinate the conceptualization, development, and dissemination of communications and marketing products, including project factsheets, website content, handouts, and blog posts, as defined in the EI Communications Strategy;
- Develop, track, and report on communications metrics that clearly show return on investment from communication and marketing activities;
- Engage and support EI staff development of communications and marketing material;
- Manage EI’s online presence, including company website content and social media posts;
- Develop and maintain a strong and productive relationship with partner organizations’ communications teams as well as contacts in media;
- Manage the use of external resources as they pertain to the company’s marketing and communications function (designers, advertising agency, printers, consultants, etc.);
- Monitor the news cycle for communications risks and opportunities for EI;
- Identify and explore external communication opportunities including conferences, workshops and other media exposure.
Qualifications Desired
- Demonstrated success in the design and implementation of communication strategies focused on achieving measurable goals related to key audience engagement and action;
- Strong writing and editing skills;
- Master’s degree in Journalism, Communications, International Development, or related field;
- Experience with USAID very strongly preferred;
- 5-10 years communications experience, preferably with an international conservation or development organization;
- Experience working with multi-disciplinary teams, with demonstrated skill distilling technical material for uptake and application by practitioners in target audiences;
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate on strategy and planning while being highly productive in working independently to contribute to achievement of group objectives;
- Highly proficient in use of graphic design software (including Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop) and use of social networking tools;
- Preferred but not essential: familiarity with The Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation.
It is anticipated that this position will be full-time and based at Environmental Incentives’ office in Washington, D.C. Regular interaction with home office staff in Lake Tahoe is expected.
Candidates will be reviewed as applications are received and the position filled as soon as the appropriate candidate is identified. To apply, please send an email with Communications Officer in the subject line and include with the email a resume, cover letter, and two sample communications products that you have developed to: hr@enviroincentives.com
About the Organization
Environmental Incentives designs performance-driven approaches to conservation, aligning community and economic development objectives to strengthen our natural water, land and wildlife resources. EI is a consulting firm that integrates adaptive management into decision-making to enable public- and private-sector entities to improve the performance of their conservation investments. Our approach helps our clients build more effective programs, and delivers lasting results through the development of innovative policies, programs and tools.
Environmental Incentives leads implementation of the Measuring Impact project for USAID in partnership with Foundations of Success and ICF International:
- Foundations of Success (FOS) – A non-profit organization dedicated to improving the practice of conservation around the world. FOS was born out of the major USAID biodiversity conservation initiative of the 1990s, Biodiversity Support Program. FOS is a leading organization in the development of adaptive management approaches and tools applied to biodiversity, forestry and communities both internationally and domestically.
- ICF International – A leading research, management, technology, and policy consulting firm based in Fairfax, Virginia and with offices around the world. ICF designs and implements a broad range of quantitative and qualitative health research and evaluation projects, including survey research, experimental and quasi-experimental research, performance measurement, program evaluation, systematic reviews, and economic valuation.
