The Center for Global Development (CGD) is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit policy research organization in Washington, DC and London, the UK that focuses on the issues and institutions that are critical to inclusive development. Through rigorous empirical research and active engagement with the global policy community, we focus on the policy intersections of low- and middle-income countries and the governments, institutions, and corporations that can be partners in delivering greater progress.

Since its creation in 2001, CGD has earned a global reputation as a highly effective “think-and-do tank.” Headquartered in Washington DC with a Europe presence led from our London office, the Center has about 130 full-time staff and an annual budget of approximately $37 million.

The role

CGD is seeking an experienced communications person for a position as Press Secretary to support the team’s efforts to increase the influence, inclusiveness, and impact of the Center’s research, commentary, and policy analysis – with an aim to improve the policies and practices of the US and other high-income countries, the multilateral financial institutions, international firms, and other powerful global development actors.

Key roles and responsibilities

Media Relations

Serve as the primary U.S. press contact for CGD Develop proactive pitch strategies for teams, and reactive strategies for relevant newsworthy events, coordinating with reporters on behalf of researchers.
Write press releases, op-ed pieces, pitches, and other materials to support the programs’ media relations efforts.
Track journalists’ movement between beats and desks, and identify journalists to engage with and maintain contact lists.
Conduct quarterly communications training for research staff.

Communications Strategy

Manage communications strategy for the migration, humanitarian, U.S. development policy, European development policy, Latin America, and gender policy teams, and be the main press point-person to create strategic communications plans to amplify the work of these policy teams, including leading the creation of specific press plans for roll-outs of new research.
Coordinate with the communications director, the Senior Manager for Digital Strategy, and the Senior Editor and Publications Manager, and Social Media Strategist to ensure that communications plans include web, publication, social media, and newsletter strategies for all outputs.
Analysis Track performance of communications efforts, including press clips, emails, and web data, for programmatic teams.
Provide regular updates to teams on media performance.
Send a weekly email to all staff on CGD engagement with the press Identify and test new ways to boost media impact. Writing and Editing.
Edit blogs for the Migration, Displacement, and Humanitarian Policy, US Development Policy, Latin America/Financial Inclusion, and Gender teams.

Experience And Skills

The successful candidate will have the following qualifications and skills:

A quick and excellent writer and editor.
A “read the news for breakfast” attitude, paired with a unique ability to identify newsworthiness and to translate complex academic material into digestible and impactful commentary and analysis for a broad audience.
A self-starter with 100 creative ideas to tackle any obstacle.
A team player with experience delivering under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
Outstanding organization and time-management skills—the ability to multi-task and prioritize workload, exacting attention to detail.
In-depth knowledge of communications for international development/foreign policy, particularly in issues of migration, humanitarian, U.S. development policy, European development policy, Latin America, and gender policy.
Bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years of relevant work experience, including experience managing media relations for experts.

Apply by 15 August.

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