Media Relations Coordinator

TITLE: Media Relations Coordinator

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full time

WORK SCHEDULE: 40 hours per week

LOCALITY:

• Remote in the U.S.

DEPARTMENT: Communications

SUPERVISING MANAGER:

• Senior Communications Manager

TEAM:

• Writer and Editorial Manager
• Communications Associate
• Programs Team

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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. 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. What’s more, scientists tell us that protecting forests is as important as reducing greenhouse emissions if we hope to stem the tide of ecological collapse.

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 be effective advocates and protectors of the forests they call home. RFUS currently operates four country programs in Brazil, Guyana, Panama, and Peru, and hosts a number of 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 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 our partners, and will also be savvy in communications strategies to serve campaigns and awareness-building for indigenous people’s rights and our partner initiatives.

The 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 through the media and other means
• Build and cultivate relationships with journalists, media outlets, and influencers to ensure a positive representation of RFUS and RFUS’s partner organizations
• Provide strategic advising to partners for the promotion and impact of their initiatives as well as their advocacy and awareness-building campaigns
• 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
• Work in close collaboration with RFUS Communications Associate (social media content creator) to support in the content creation in support of partners’ and allies’ campaigns and events
• Other responsibilities suitable for this position

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in communications, journalism, international affairs, human rights, environmental science, sustainable development, marketing, or advertising (or other relevant field)

• At least 5-7 years of experience in media relations or journalism, environmental policy, political campaigning, non profit communications, or other relevant field

• Experience developing strategies to effectively work with the media, including cultivating relationships with journalists and media outlets, securing placed media, and advancing earned media opportunities

• Possess highly attuned interpersonal skills, sensitivities, and experience working with indigenous peoples

• Ability to work constructively across teams to manage multiple priorities on short deadlines

• 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

• Demonstrated commitment to issues of the environment, climate, social justice, and/or human rights

• 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

Language requirements

• Full professional proficiency in English and either Spanish or Portuguese required.
• Fluency in all three languages is a strong advantage.

Desired skills

• Strategic thinker with the 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.

Compensation & Benefits

• Compensation: Compensation for this position is commensurate with experience and ranges between $53,000 - $63,000 USD annually.
• Benefits: Full-time employees (40+ hours a week) are entitled to full health, vision, and dental insurance and 20 days per year of vacation leave, closed offices from Christmas to New Year’s Day (inclusive) plus the 10 additional federal holidays. Beyond this, employees are entitled to 10 days per year of sick leave, 2 days per year of personal days, 5 days for bereavement leave per event, up to 12 weeks of parental leave, and accommodations for additional time off under extraordinary circumstances. For this role, nights or weekends will not be expected except possibly during work-related travel, in which case compensatory time will be accrued.

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.

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 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.