Communications Officer

HOPE BORDER INSTITUTE - POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Communications Officer

Reports to: Executive Director

Location: El Paso, TX

Type: Full-time; Exempt

I. Purpose, Organizational Setting & Work Relationships

The Hope Border Institute requires a skilled communications officer (CO) to conceive and execute a range of activities to help us lead -- from the perspective of Catholic social teaching -- the narrative on justice at the border and forced displacement, to generate empathy and mobilize action. This body of work spans communications strategy and coordination, news and media relations, multimedia content production, social media engagement, public outreach and campaigns, fundraising, analytics and brand. The position demands a thorough understanding of and commitment to the unique mission and goals of the Hope Border Institute.

CO needs to cultivate a keen understanding of our target audiences, including an up-to-the-minute grasp of the methods and tone of voice that resonate deeply, win trust and spark quality engagement. CO must be vigilant about editorial and journalistic standards, attentive to political sensitivities, and focused on communicating successfully with key demographics. These audiences will vary by location, language and platform, among other factors, as well as whether the aim is to inform, advocate or raise funds.

CO’s primary target audiences include the public, media and policymakers, and funders, while our main partners and influencers include peer NGOs, faith leaders, trusted figures and our own workforce. Forging partnerships with media outlets that reach target audiences is a central role for the CO.

CO is expected to work strategically in support of HOPE’s overall objectives and priorities. Communications approaches should reflect our core values as an organization and reinforce HOPE’s as a lead Catholic social justice organization at the border. 

All HOPE staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the HOPE’s strategic plan and priorities, administrative instructions,  as well as relevant accountability frameworks established by the Executive Director and Deputy Director. Staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities with professionalism, integrity and respect for the nature of HOPE’s mission and identity as a Catholic organization. 

II. CONTINUING RESPONSIBILITIES (from highest to lowest priority)

Communications Officer responsibilities:

• Uphold and contribute to the mission of HOPE, working collaboratively, following established policies and procedures, identifying and sharing ideas for improvement, and supporting HOPE efforts verbally, in actions and attitude

and 

• Maintain an excellent working relationship with the Executive Director, assisting in facilitating effective decision-making around communications, execution of strategic communications initiatives, and providing ad-hoc analysis and decision support
• Lead development and execution of communications strategy on immigration policy, including the identification of thematic priorities and target audiences to meet HOPE’s overall communications objectives
• Research, prepare, fact-check, edit and produce news-driven and authoritative content to lead the narrative on forced displacement and show HOPE’s impact (e.g. interviews, press releases, flagship reports, speeches), create emotive storytelling to generate empathy (eg: stories, multimedia content) and mobilize action by signposting concrete steps people can take to help refugees (action-driven campaigns, fundraising)
• Monitor news and popular trends to insert HOPE’s messaging into ongoing conversations and identify key moments for proactive communications
• Research, prepare, fact-check, edit and produce content for external publication, including statements, media releases, web and social media content to advance HOPE’s overall strategic immigration framework, elevate issues to advance just border policy, highlight work, and share what we are learning with relevant audiences
• Forge strategic partnerships with individuals and organizations who can help produce and promote HOPE content, activities and messaging as well as provide research insights to improve communications
• Ensure content created reaches maximum impact by developing strategies for distribution from the outset, boosting the visibility of our content on relevant HOPE channels and placing it on external channels
• Act as a spokesperson for HOPE, organizing press events, handling interviews requests and providing responses to requests from media relating to HOPE and its work.
• Engage with journalists and public audiences via social media channels
• Regularly provide ideas for communications initiatives and considered professional communications advice to senior staff
• Prepare and manage communications budgets
• Ensure alignment with HOPE’s branding and messaging
• Continually maintain and upgrade communications skills, keeping abreast of emerging platforms and tools, and systematically reviewing media impact results and other measurement tools for learning purposes
• Maintain media lists and contacts

and

• other duties as assigned.

III. QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Previous Experience: A minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required, as well as strong academic credentials and relevant campaign, policy or non-profit experience

The Communications Officer will have:

• a great sense of humor and a can-do attitude
• passion and commitment to working for justice in a faith-based context and for HOPE’s work
• ability to work confidently in both English and Spanish-speaking environments, including the ability to communicate in both languages to media outlets
• knowledge of the Catholic Church and Catholic social teaching
• exceptional judgment, including news judgment, and sound political instincts
• ability to communicate complex policy in clear and compelling messaging and narratives
• ability to work strategically, independently, collaboratively, innovatively, creatively and in culturally diverse environments
• ability meet tight deadlines, balance multiple projects at once, and proactively identify opportunities to advance HOPE’s message in the news media and on social media
• strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• highly self-motivated work style
• strong ethics and personal integrity
• professional attitude and service orientation
• public policy and/or advocacy experience

Required Functional Skills

• Digital content production
• Writing and Editing
• National Media Contacts
• Preparation of key messages/talking points
• Public Speaking
• Spokesperson skills
• Strategic Communication
• Web publishing and content management
• Drafting, Documentation, Data Presentation

Preferred:

• advanced knowledge of public policy issues, including immigration, specific to the Mexico-US border region

Language Requirement:

English and Spanish required, including the ability to communicate publicly and to the media in both languages.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Within HOPE:

Daily contact with the Executive Director and HOPE staff.

Outside HOPE: 

Regular contact with colleagues in peer organizations, with media and with those directly impacted by immigration policy.

Frequent contact with policymakers, interfaith and ecumenical groups, secular organizations and coalitions that work on public policy issues.

Frequent contact with local and (inter)national faith leaders.

PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

Communications interns. 

SCOPE OF SUPERVISION

Develops strategic positions, policies, and initiatives under the direct supervision and in collaboration with the Deputy Director and Executive Director. Represents HOPE under the general supervision of the Deputy Director. Occasionally, the supervision is more general or limited. Position requires the ability to analyze situations and propose solutions and responses that best promote the goals and objectives of the HOPE. Must exhibit professional initiative and make sound judgments independently and in concert with others. Some public activities require the direct review and approval of the Executive Director.

OTHER INFORMATION

Frequent travel in the El Paso and Ciudad Juárez region. Occasional national and international travel required. Candidate must have ability to travel across the US-Mexico border and internationally.

WORKING CONDITIONS /PHYSICAL EFFORT

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand; walk; sit; handle, or feel objects, or controls; reach; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, or crouch; talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Work is performed both in an office setting and in the field. Evening and weekend work are required, as well as overnight travel. Regular computer work is also required.  

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described above are representative of the physical capabilities that must be met by an employee and the working conditions that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and it is not an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.