Communications Specialist

Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) invites applications for a Communications Specialist to join our dedicated and talented Corporate & Creative Communications team in our mission to create business solutions to poverty!

MEDA’s work is built on a foundation of Mennonite business roots and faith-based values, within the global context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We believe business solutions are effective interventions to address poverty. Through a market-systems approach and strategic partnerships, MEDA enables access to finance and provides business and technical expertise to build transformative agri-food market systems that create decent jobs, allowing traditionally excluded groups to become active participants in a sustainable economy. MEDA welcomes all who share our values and want to join us in our mission. To find out more about MEDA, please visit our website at www.meda.org.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director, Corporate and Creative Communications, the Communications Specialist will support MEDA’s external communication strategy by writing and co-creating content for digital channels, positioning MEDA as a leader in economic development in the areas of agri-food market systems and impact investment in countries in the Global South, supporting the goals set out in MEDA’s strategic plan, Towards an Equal World.

The Communications Specialist will work with the Strategy & Impact and the Global Programs divisions, implementing MEDA’s thought leadership strategy among key constituencies. These constituencies include individuals, corporations, foundations, institutions, employees, key government departments and agencies such as USAID, Global Affairs Canada, DFID, NORAD and DFAT.

The Communications Specialist plays a vital role in MEDA's integrated marketing and communications strategy by creating content that increases awareness of the impact of MEDA's business solutions to poverty among private donors. This role is crucial in supporting our donor DEI strategy. The Specialist will gather stories and write content to support the Marketing team's direct mail and mass market portfolio.

The department has a goal to establish clear lines of communication with other communications specialists across MEDA projects worldwide, and the Communications Specialist will create a community of practice to provide support and ensure the MEDA brand is upheld. The Communications Specialist will lead communication planning and tactic implementation to support the internal communication needs of the organization. The role will be responsible for establishing and cultivating relationships with and pitching content to appropriate media contacts to further promote MEDA.

• Job Status:  Full Time

• Start Date: June/July 2023

• Location: Waterloo, Ontario (hybrid work arrangement available) / Other North American locations may be considered for highly qualified candidates

• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Corporate Communications and branding (40%)

• Collaborate with the Director, Corporate and Creative Communications for crisis communications and reputation management, ensuring that the organization's messages are consistent and aligned with its mission and values.

• Support the development and implementation of internal communication plans to ensure that messages are clear, concise, audience-centric, and disseminated across the appropriate channels.

• Contribute to the oversight and management of MEDA’s brand and branding standards, including writing and editing with person-first, dignifying language when writing about clients, reflecting MEDA’s commitment to anti-racist storytelling.

• Prepare website content updates for news articles, project updates, and blogs; contribute to the development of content to support the social media strategy.

• Establish and facilitate a community of practice for MEDA's global staff working in communications roles, fostering connections, resource-sharing, and adherence to MEDA's brand standards.

• Support department administrative functions including maintaining the Corporate and Creative Communications SharePoint site, organizing documents, and updating the Story Content Tracker list.

Content creation, research and positioning (35%)

• Research and develop relevant content for a variety of audiences to further advance MEDA’s corporate visibility, including white papers, learning papers, blogs and media pitches.
• Edit and rewrite technical materials to reach a broad audience, focusing on accessible language while positioning MEDA as industry leaders and experts in international economic development.
• Collaborate with the Strategy and Impact team, including the Technical teams, to leverage content and speaking opportunities to fulfill the thought leadership strategy.
• Leverage information across projects by connecting with the Communications Community of Practice, IKM and GPO teams to gather content for private supporters and external-facing publications, ensuring alignment with MEDA's brand standards and messaging. Prepare and pitch story and content ideas to internal and external stakeholders.

Marketing and private donor support (25%)

• Collaborate with the Director, Marketing and Constituent Engagement for content creation to support an integrated marketing and communications strategy, including writing fundraising appeals and private donor impact reports.

• Conduct interviews, research topics, and develop compelling narratives to promote the organization's mission and impact.

• Develop and prepare marketing materials, including brochures, fact sheets, website copy, presentations, speaking notes and video scripts.

• Contribute to The Marketplace magazine as a staff writer on an as-needed basis.

Any other duties and/or requirements as assigned

REQUIREMENTS

Education: University degree in communications, marketing, journalism, English or related field

Experience: Minimum of five year’s work experience in communications, marketing, content writing or related field

Additional Qualifications:

• Appreciation and support of MEDA’s mission, vision and values

• Understanding and appreciation of business principles, international development and MEDA’s approach of creating business solutions to poverty

• Familiarity with bi and multi-lateral governmental agencies, donors, non-governmental organizations and other development agencies

• Demonstrated experience conducting research using multiple sources

• Excellent writing and editing skills in English

• Self-motivated, with demonstrated ability to meet deadlines

• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work in collaboration with others

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Word Press (or similar content management system)

• French-speaking an asset

• Willingness to undertake domestic and international travel as required

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 4:00 pm EDT

MEDA is an equal opportunity employer and accommodations are available during all phases of the recruitment process. We ask that any applicants requiring accommodation make their needs known in advance.