Each year, Africans who participate in Tostan’s Community Empowerment Program (CEP) catalyze social transformation and spearhead grassroots development efforts in their communities.   The Communications Assistant has the important job of helping the International Communications Team to connect stories from the field to Tostan’s supporters internationally. This goal will be achieved mainly through collaboration with the Assistant to the International Communications Team in Dakar to tailor stories from the field for distribution to audiences in North America and Western Europe.
 
Start Date: January 2011
Minimum commitment:  10 weeks
Location: Washington, DC
Hours per week: Full-time (35 hours per week)
Direct supervisor(s): Senior Operations Manager
Collaborator(s): Director of External Affairs, International Communications Team, other Interns, etc.

 
RESPONSIBILITIES
Please note that depending on the extent and the period of the commitment some of the responsibilities may vary.

• OUTREACH
  • Assist with Tostan’s media outreach, including the distribution of press releases and press briefings, making follow-up phone calls, arranging teleconferences and meetings, etc.
    • Assist team to strategically tailor organizational messaging and communications documents to meet the needs/interests of specific audiences (e.g. the press, bloggers, individuals, students, etc.)
  • Coordinate and produce content for distribution to Tostan followers on social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, etc.), online media sites (Youtube, Flickr, etc.), and other online channels (Tostan.org, monthly e-newsletter, etc.)
    • Assist in updating, developing, and posting website content
    • Create Facebook and Flickr albums
    • Upload videos to Tostan’s YouTube channel, Tostan International
    • Send updates about recent Tostan events to bloggers
  • Manage and update the Female Genital Cutting News blog several times per week using Google Alerts
  • Research new techniques and online forums by which Tostan can develop communications with existing audiences, reach out to new audiences, and work to incorporate these techniques into Tostan's standard communications practices

• TRACKING
  • Using Google Analytics, track visits to Tostan’s website and social media followers on a monthly basis
    Maintain a list of media contacts, blog contacts by topic

• GENERAL
  • Various administrative tasks as necessary

QUALIFICATIONS

•  Thorough understanding of Tostan’s programs and methodologies
• Bachelors degree or current enrollment in Bachelors program; studies in International Development, Education, Gender
• Studies, other social science, Communications, Business, Management, or related field

• Strong communication skills, including written and spoken proficiency in English required and French preferred
• Previous experience with either a nongovernmental or nonprofit organization or experience in Africa/non-western country preferred
  
• Project management experience preferred
  
• Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite required
  Knowledge of Gmail, Google Groups, Google Documents, Google Calendars, and other Internet programs preferred
  Ability to work independently, to self-motivate, and to manage multiple tasks at once
  Flexibility adapting to a multicultural environment, to be considerate of limited resources, and to adapt work priorities to the immediate needs of the project or donor
  Must be willing to provide administrative support when necessary

 
BENEFITS
As a non-profit organization who works to commit the maximum level of resources to our communities, we rely on volunteers to cover all their own expenses during their internships.

• Hands on experience with an internationally recognized NGO
• Development of Curriculum Vitae/Resume
• Opportunity to develop highly sought-after skills in project management, training, and written and oral communication in a multicultural, multilingual environment

• SmartSite 2.0 (WYSIWYG website management)
• Z2 (donor relations management)

This job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required in this position. Employees may be required to perform other duties outside of their normal responsibilities, to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

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