International Communications Manager: China Program and Media Relations

Job Description

International Communications Manager: China Program and Media Relations

Based in Washington, D.C.

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids seeks applications for an International Communications Manager to play a leading role in our China program as well as our media relations team. This is an exciting position for a communications professional seeking to fully exercise and expand her/his project management and communications skills, work with colleagues in China and other low- and middle-income countries, and make a critical contribution to a global effort that is saving lives around the world.

Key Areas of Focus

The Communications Manager will spend approximately 60 percent of her/his time serving as a critical member of the China program, implementing best practices in communications in support of tobacco control policies. In this role s/he will support the development and implementation of earned, social and paid media advocacy campaigns aimed at public health policy progress in China. The Communications Manager will serve as a resource and link between Tobacco-Free Kids staff in Washington, DC and staff and partners in China.

With the other 40 percent of her/his capacity, the Communications Manager will serve as a member of the Washington, DC-based international communications team, assisting the International Press Secretary with media relations on a range of topics including tobacco control policy and the tobacco industry; drafting press releases, social media content, web content and other materials for external audiences; managing the media database; and helping manage the moving parts of global media campaigns.

This position reports to the Director, International Communications but will also maintain a productive working relationship with the Director, China Program and the International Press Secretary.

Primary Duties

• Develop, implement, and support media advocacy strategies as an essential element of public policy campaigns, in partnership with colleagues on the China team and partners in China.
• Support the implementation of strategies to increase the capacity of the media to report on tobacco control, including journalism workshops and other programs.
• Support the implementation of strategies to enhance the capacity of partners in China to conduct effective communications strategies.
• Help implement systems for gathering data and analyzing the results of Tobacco-Free Kids’ media programs in China, and translate this data into clear progress reports.
• Work in conjunction with the web team on an ongoing basis to write and produce content reflecting our China program.
• Serve as a member of the China team, working closely with the China Director and communications colleagues in China, participating in program development and team meetings to ensure that communications strategy supports program goals and objectives in China.
• Implement strategies to document and disseminate program impacts in China to various global audiences.
• At times, review grant proposals from Chinese organizations to ensure communications activities in the proposed scope of work appear effective and on-point.
• Draft, edit and oversee production of press releases, reports, brochures and other communications materials when necessary, ensuring approved guidance and language are incorporated when necessary.
• In close coordination with the DC-based Press Secretary and international communications colleagues, execute elements of global media campaigns and media relations supporting programs in other low- and middle-income countries: draft press releases and memos, web content and social media content.
• Help coordinate media strategies for our anti-tobacco industry campaigns including developing media outreach lists and pitching stories to journalists around the world.
• Input and catalogue data about journalists into the media database, ensuring that the international communications team can quickly assemble media outreach lists for our country programs and other programs. Make recommendations on software and other technical aspects of the media database.

Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will possess the following professional and personal skills and experience.

Broad experience in the field of media strategy and public relations, and/or particular experience serving clients or partners in low- and middle-income countries. China work and cultural experience a plus.

• Understanding of political and media environment in China preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement media and communications strategies in support of policy change and implementation in low- and middle-income countries.
• Minimum 5 years relevant experience.
• Excellent writing, speaking and editing skills (English).
• Proficiency in Mandarin an advantage.
• Experience working at the international level and in cross-cultural settings.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Comfort in a setting in which demonstrated results are required.
• Ability and desire to travel overseas.

TO APPLY

Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications including a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications and your resume or CV should be addressed to: jobs@tobaccofreekids.org. Please reference the position code: ICM/08-65 in the subject line of your email.

About the Organization

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids is a leading force in the fight to reduce tobacco use and its deadly toll in the United States and around the world. Our vision: A future free of the death and disease caused by tobacco. The Campaign works to save lives by advocating for public policies that prevent kids from smoking, help smokers quit and protect everyone from secondhand smoke. A non-governmental organization based in Washington, DC, we promote public policies that have been proven to reduce tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke, including higher tobacco taxes; comprehensive smoke-free laws; strict bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; and graphic warning labels on tobacco products. Internationally, the Campaign supports governments and non-governmental organizations in promoting and implementing these policies in low- and middle-income countries where more than 80 percent of tobacco-related deaths will occur in the coming decades.

The Campaign has been designated one of five partner organizations to coordinate activities under the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use, working with governments and non-governmental organizations to implement effective measures to reduce tobacco use. CTFK has active initiatives in low- and middle-income countries around the world where the highest rates of tobacco use are found. With funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation we also work in African countries.

Global statistics on tobacco-related deaths are astonishing. The worldwide death toll is at more than five million people each year and climbing. Without urgent action, tobacco will kill one billion people in the 21st century. Every day, 80,000 to 100,000 young people around the world become addicted to tobacco, and secondhand smoke kills more than 600,000 people each year, including 165,000 children. Tobacco use also costs governments an estimated $500 billion each year in health care expenditures, productivity losses, fire damage, and other costs.