Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people's health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty.
In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people - especially those with the fewest resources - have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, the foundation is led by CEO Patty Stonesifer and co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.
Nearly 2.5 billion people live on less than $2 a day. For one person in eight, hunger is a constant, potentially deadly, companion.
The vast majority of the poor also lack access to the most basic financial services and only a tiny minority have access to the Internet.
The foundation's Global Development Program is working with motivated partners to create opportunities for people to lift themselves out of poverty and hunger.
Our strategy is focused. Because most of the world's poorest people rely directly on agriculture, we support efforts to help small farmers improve crop production and market access.
Because loans, insurance, and savings can help people weather setbacks and build assets, we facilitate access to financial services for the poor.
And because information can change lives, we support free public access to computers connected to the Internet.
We also support a range of learning opportunities, including potential new areas of long-term giving, and we respond to emergencies through our Special Initiatives grantmaking.
The Communications Officer is responsible for shaping and maintaining the voice of the Global Development Program both internally and externally, through a variety of communications and advocacy pieces.
S/he will work with colleagues across the program and across the foundation to ensure that communication about our work is clear, accurate, and consistent, and that it advances the Global Development Program's programmatic and advocacy goals and strategies.
Responsibilities:
Work with each of the Global Development Program's initiatives Agricultural Development, Financial Services for the Poor, Policy and Advocacy, and Special Initiatives to support specific internal communications and advocacy needs.
Act as a liaison for the Global Development Program with the Foundation Communications team and the Global Health Policy and Advocacy team on foundation-wide public affairs and communications issues and projects.
Help develop and refine messaging to support the work of the Global Development Program and its initiatives.
Write, edit, and manage articles, speeches, and internal briefings for the president of Global Development Program as well as senior leadership.
Contribute to articles, speeches, and internal briefings for foundation senior leadership.
Help develop and maintain core print, Web, video, and other communications and advocacy materials relating to the work of the Global Development Program.
Qualifications
An advanced degree in communications, journalism, public policy, international relations, development, or a related field strongly preferred.
At least 10 years experience working on strategic communications and advocacy issues, preferably with experience working on and writing about development issues, and in a developing country, or with partners in developing countries.
Superior writing skills and extensive experience in positions that required writing and editing of messages, reports, articles, briefings, speeches, and other materials.
Proven experience in the conception, design, implementation, and management of communications strategies.
Demonstrated ability to identify, establish, and maintain effective working relationships and communicate clearly.
Ability to understand, synthesizes, and clearly articulate complex and technical issues.
Ability to exercise sound judgment.
Ability to juggle multiple deadlines, prioritize among competing demands, and respond calmly and flexibly to urgent requests.
Experience with online and visual communications a plus.
Sense of humor a plus.
Ability to travel up to 10%. Position is based in Seattle, WA.
As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will be contingent upon successful completion of a comprehensive background check.
To apply:
http://posttrak.arbita.net/cgi-bin/PostTrak.cgi?RefCode=R6242245507340
