Communications & Media Relations Coordinator

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full-time, 40 hours per week

LOCATION: New York; remote possible

DEPARTMENT: Communications

SUPERVISING MANAGER:

• Senior Communications Manager

TEAM:

• Programs Team
• Writer and Editorial Manager
• Communications Associate
• Communications Associate

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About Rainforest Foundation US

For over 30 years, Rainforest Foundation US (RFUS) has worked to address climate change and safeguard biodiversity by promoting the rights of indigenous peoples and supporting their efforts to protect and defend their rainforests. Scientists tell us that protecting forests is as essential as reducing greenhouse emissions if we hope to stem the tide of ecological collapse. Science shows that forests managed by indigenous peoples are healthier, suffer less deforestation, capture more carbon, and contain more biodiversity than forests managed by private or public entities--including nationally protected areas.

RFUS works in partnership with indigenous communities and their representative organizations to protect tropical rainforests by supporting their efforts to secure rights to their lands, strengthen monitoring and land security, influence laws and policies that protect their resources, and build strong and sustainable community leadership. By investing directly in indigenous communities, RFUS connects the people rooted in the land with the tools, training, and resources to become effective advocates and protectors of the forests they call home. RFUS currently operates four country programs in Brazil, Guyana, Panama, and Peru and hosts several regional partnerships in Central America, the Amazon Basin, and across the tropical belt.

About the Position

Immersed in the field of nature-based and people-based solutions to the climate crisis, the Communications & Media Relations Coordinator will facilitate the development and implementation of a broad range of communications strategies to elevate awareness of RFUS’s and our partners’ programs and initiatives and support the strengthening of partners’ advocacy and communications capacities. This position will serve as a liaison between communications and programs and will network and liaise with partner organizations on a regular basis, cultivate relationships with media outlets to secure media coverage for RFUS and partners, and will also be savvy in using social media as a campaign and awareness-building tool, particularly for indigenous people’s rights and our partner initiatives.

The Communications & Media Relations Coordinator will report to the Senior Communications Manager, work hand in hand with the Programs team, and liaise with the Writer and Editorial Manager as well as the other Communications Associates as required.

Responsibilities

• Drive strategies to increase the impact and influence of the organization and its partners to advance key policy and program objectives
• Provide strategic advising to partners for the promotion and impact of their initiatives as well as their advocacy and awareness-building campaigns
• Build and cultivate relationships with journalists, media outlets, and influencers to ensure a positive representation of RFUS and RFUS’s partner organizations
• Strategize with IP partner organizations and allies on a regular basis (as well as during key global events and campaigns) for positioning local and regional messages on a global scale
• Generate and support content creation in support of RFUS’s programs as well as partners’ and allies’ campaigns and events, including social media, website, emails, and video
• Provide editorial assistance as needed
• Other responsibilities suitable for this position

Requirements

•  Bachelor’s degree, preferably in journalism, communications, international affairs, human rights, environmental science, sustainable development, marketing, advertising or other relevant field)
• At least 4-6 years experience in journalism or media relations, political campaigning, non-profit communications, or other relevant field
• Experience working with the media, including cultivating relationships with journalists and media outlets, securing placed media, and advancing earned media opportunities
• Proven ability to deliver specific program-related communications strategies
• Demonstrated experience using social media and/or email marketing platforms as an advocacy and awareness-building tool to engage target audiences
• Experience developing and catalyzing networks or coalitions for communications and/or advocacy aims
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and complete work independently and as part of a team
• Possess highly attuned interpersonal skills and experience working constructively across teams to manage multiple priorities on short deadlines
• Demonstrated commitment to issues of social justice, environment, climate, and/or human rights (experience working with indigenous communities and/or indigenous community organizations an advantage)
• Ability to travel to remote locations throughout Latin America as needed
• Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communications skills
• Detail-oriented and able to produce quality outputs in a timely manner 

Desired skills

•  Strategic thinker with ability to execute ideas
• Science or political writer, with experience in catering narratives to various target audiences
• Experience in advocacy and the political arena is an advantage

Workplace Culture & Conditions

Rainforest Foundation US prides itself on providing a flexible, equitable, family-friendly, and inclusive work environment that values work-life balance. Our offices are pet friendly and located in a historic downtown Brooklyn neighborhood that is easily accessible by public transit and boasts many restaurants and services. Since the pandemic, employees can come into the office as they wish or negotiate with their supervisors to work from home or remotely.

Commitment to Equality & Equity 

​​Rainforest Foundation US does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status in any of its activities or operations. We will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment. We are committed to an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients. Black, indigenous, and people of color are highly encouraged to apply.