NGO Aid Map Consultant Content Writer

ABOUT INTERACTION

InterAction is the largest U.S.-based coalition of international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) with hundreds of members working around the world in low- and middle-income countries, fragile and post-conflict states, and emerging/growth economies. Member organizations are large and small, secular and faith-based, with a focus on people living in the world’s most poor and vulnerable places. The U.S. public, foundations, and governments support the work of our Member NGOs that collectively invest and manage more than $15.4 billion a year. InterAction revenues come from dues, government grants, private foundation and corporate grants, and a growing fee-for-service program portfolio. Using its collective voice and convening power, InterAction seeks to shape important policy decisions and actions across a wide range of issues—including foreign assistance, humanitarian relief, development, economic equity, food security, and climate change—that advance human dignity, human potential, and self-determination.

ABOUT NGO AID MAP

The current iteration of InterAction’s NGO Aid Map http://www.NGOAidMap.org aims to increase the amount of publicly available data on international development and humanitarian action. First established in 2008, the map features tens of thousands of InterAction Member projects, representing billions of dollars in international programs. NGO Aid Map is currently undergoing a significant re-design and re-development to better align to the needs of the NGO sector today and the consultancy described below is a key element of that evolution.

POSITION OBJECTIVE

While NGO Aid Map has been effective in communicating the breadth and depth of InterAction Members’ global impact, its relevance has faded as the challenges of the international NGO sector have evolved. As such, InterAction recently completed an intensive human-centered design process involving dozens of member organizations, development data experts, and others to determine how NGO Aid Map can be changed to better address the challenges of the NGO sector today. For more information on the re-design process, see these two recent InterAction blogs:

• What is Next for NGO Aid Map? https://www.interaction.org/blog/whats-next-for-ngo-aid-map/
• How We’re Using Human-Centered Design to Reimagine NGO Aid Map https://www.interaction.org/blog/using-hcd-to-re-imagine-ngo-aid-map/

The new NGO Aid Map will depart from the current iteration in many ways, including the addition of a new content type called “Feature Stories,” which aim to put the ability to design data-driven narratives into the hands of InterAction staff in support of our advocacy work https://www.interaction.org/issues/. This content type will feature text accompanied by full-page images, video, graphics, and maps, all constructed using a simple, customizable template library built in the new platform’s back-end. Approximate models for the Feature Story content type can be seen here: https://russianpmcs.csis.org/ and here https://mapping-crimes-against-rohingya.amnesty.org/

The consultant will lead the development of six Feature Stories to be ready at the time of the launch of the new platform, at the end of August 2021. To do so, the consultant will work with InterAction staff to identify key advocacy priorities; review previous research; conduct additional research; write content; gather or generate relevant images, photos, videos; and create relevant maps and data visualizations using third-party embeddable tools. Once approved in draft form, the consultant will upload these stories to the new NGO Aid Map using the template library to create effective advocacy pieces, or “Feature Stories,” around these issues. Examples of potential focus stories include:

• COVID’s impact on the development & humanitarian sectors
• NGOs’ responses to disinformation in the field
• Hidden crises which are not receiving attention around the globe
• InterAction’s Global Situation Report 2021 (link below)
• Other relevant stories as identified by InterAction staff

Additionally, the consultant will support the development of a number of Country Profiles and provide additional content writing/sourcing support to get NGO Aid Map ready for public launch, as directed by the NGO Aid Map design team.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Meet on a weekly basis with NGO Aid Map design team
• Meet with relevant InterAction staff to gather previous research, understand focus of stories, and identify advocacy goals and audiences for each
• Review prior research and conduct remotely any necessary first- or second-hand research
• Generate initial content in draft form, as well as draft visual elements including images, photos & videos, graphics, and maps
• Generate visual elements using third-party embeddable tools for data visualization and mapping
• Receive training in new NGO Aid Map Feature Story template library and use to create data-driven advocacy pieces
• Write or edit content for up to 15 Country Profiles, following Global Situation Report model https://www.interaction.org/globalsituationreport2020/global-situation-report/country-one-pagers/
• Provide additional content writing support as needed, e.g., Privacy Policy & About pages

DELIVERABLES

• 6 Feature Stories, built on the new NGO Aid Map
• Up to 15 Country Profiles, built on the new NGO Aid Map
• Additional content writing as necessary

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience writing content related to international development or humanitarian action
• Experience with data and online data visualization platforms, including mapping tools
• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, journalism, international relations, international development, or another relevant field
• High degree of visual and written creativity
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Fluency in English

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working in the international development or humanitarian action sectors
• Experience writing content for advocacy

COMPENSATION

$250 - $300/day depending on prior experience

LEVEL OF EFFORT & DATE RANGE

InterAction anticipates hiring this consultant in January 2021 and will provide up to 40 days of LOE ending August 31st, 2021.

EXPECTED START DATE

February 1st, 2021

REPORTS TO

The consultant will report to InterAction’s Director of Data, Development Technology, and Innovation.