Director of Communications

About NetHope

NetHope enables humanitarian and conservation organizations to better serve people and places throughout the world through digital and data technologies and partnerships. Working at the intersection of the international NGO sector, private business and digital innovation, NetHope is a Membership organization currently serving over 60 leading humanitarian, development, and conservation organizations around the world. NetHope empowers our Member organizations to collaborate, innovate, and leverage the full potential of information and communications technology to support their work in 190 countries. NetHope and our Members partner with over 50 of the world’s leading technology firms to create innovative solutions to existing and emerging challenges, and to reimagine how technology can improve our world.

The Opportunity

This is an exciting time at NetHope as the organization rounds a very successful 20th Anniversary year and has secured new, multi-year funding in support of a range of programming. Reporting into the Senior Director of Partnerships and Development, the Director of Communications will set and guide the overall strategy for NetHope’s brand communications including social media, website, blogs, concept proposals, and reports. This role will help NetHope clearly and consistently articulate the effectiveness of our service to Member nonprofits, our work alongside IT industry partners, and our visibility on field-focused and digital transformation initiatives where NetHope is in the lead. The Director of Communications will work closely with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and content experts across the organization and in the NetHope Member and partner networks.

Director of Communications

NetHope is seeking and experienced, organized, and enthusiastic professional to develop and lead the overall communications strategy for the organization. The Director will work closely with the Senior Director of Partnerships and Fundraising, and across the organization to support our regular Member, partner and funder outreach as well as to populate communications channels and support the creation and dispersal of concepts/proposals, funder reports, press releases, and external communications products. The Director will oversee NetHope brand visibility and ensure all NetHope staff and contractors are trained and supported to communicate appropriately in ways that emphasize NetHope strategic priorities/messages, and that showcase the impact we have with and for Member organizations. This role will work collaboratively with senior leaders in NetHope as well as Members and partners to originate and promote an annual slate of campaigns to announce new programs, supporting opportunities, sharing of impact stories, and to showcase the unique global community that is NetHope.

Specific responsibilities include:

Strategic Communications Planning and Oversight
• Engage with senior leaders in NetHope, Member and partner communication teams, and contractors to develop collaborative communication plans and strategies
• Responsible for NetHope’s overall communication strategy, and delivering to that strategy in support of programs, grants, events, and fundraising priorities
• Coordinate communications strategies and messaging, resourcing, activities, and delivery both internally and externally with stakeholders as required
• Develop and train stakeholders on the organizational systems and practices that support strong communications
• Commission, coordinate, co-create, proofread, write, post, and other tasks as required, to ensure suitable communications, marketing, fundraising and engagement activities as required

Content Creation
• Lead the marketing and communications strategy and key messaging for NetHope, balancing member service Messaging with program impact messaging
• Develop content for press releases, presentation slide decks, partner/grant reports, and activities (for example NetHope Summit promotion materials)
• Lead the generation of online content that engages Members, partners, and the INGO community as a whole
• Lead the team responsible for website and other channel content, administration, and coordination
• Support the conceptualization and execution of multiple giving campaigns annually
• With the support of the Partnerships and Development and Senior Leadership Teams, develop and deploy communications to engage new donors and achieve philanthropic goals
• Oversee production and style of electronic and print outreach materials including, for example, annual reports, collateral, merchandise, stationery, and event materials.
• Responsible for the development of published reports, data visualization and other storytelling tools, ensuring clarity of goals and on-time and on-budget production
• Support the CEO in preparing for public speaking engagements and media interviews, providing/coordinating talking points, speeches and presentation materials.

Grant and Proposal Preparation
• Support funding concepts and proposal development in collaboration with subject matter experts.
• Proofread and assess proposals for alignment with NetHope voice, vision, and content standards

Brand Management
• Establish, maintain, and promote high standards for writing, editing, style, format, design, and production for all materials
• Responsible for training, co-creating, editing and support to all NetHope staff that ensures all collateral and messaging reflects NetHope’s brand and strategic goals

Qualifications:
• Proven leader of communications in global nonprofits
• Strong strategic thinker and team player, with a successful track record of managing and delivering successful marketing and communications activities by coordinating and co-creating with a variety of stakeholders, from both within and outside their organization
• Excellent communicator (written and verbal) with experience leading a strategically effective communications team that is in high demand
• Understanding of and interest in technology as an enabler and an accelerator of impact
• Usage of data to drive insights and action plans to further strategic goals of the organization
• Demonstrated success in prospecting and writing/commissioning content, with strong interest in and experience with the following areas: not-for-profit digital transformation, humanitarian relief, international development, and/or global conservation.
• Demonstrated success at ideating with various parties (including funders) to co-create, design and provide ongoing communications (public and for reporting).

Personal Characteristics
• A passion for NetHope’s mission and for working collaboratively and nimbly in a fast-paced dynamic global environment
• Cultural sensitivity across all aspects of work
• Values and encourages diversity of thought, backgrounds, and perspectives
• Solid judgement including handling of sensitive information
• Integrity/ethics beyond reproach
• Excellent at working in a networked & virtual team environment
• Excellent ‘front of house’ personality, that acts as an engaging and high impact ambassador for NetHope
• Ability to multi-task while maintaining vigilant attention to detail in a fast-paced working environment
• A strong track record as an implementer who thrives on managing a variety of key initiatives concurrently
• Relationship builder with the flexibility and finesse to manage by influence, especially in a virtual and distributed work environment
• High energy and leadership, with the ability to serve as a unifying force and to position communications discussions at both the strategic and tactical levels
• Experience working with diverse stakeholders and bringing them together for a common purpose.
• Experience designing and executing communications strategies that generate visibility, credibility, and thought leadership.

Knowledge and Skills
• Exceptional communications strategy development and execution skills
• Exceptional written, verbal, and ideally visual communication skills required.
• Demonstrated success in grant and report preparation
• Experience developing, implementing and sustaining brand strategies and messaging
• Ability to understand complex issues quickly and how to effectively communicate them to various audiences
• Knowledge of digital transformation and tools, international humanitarian, conservation, or disaster/emergency response efforts a plus
• Must have a keen interest in staying in front of the newest and most effective ways to communicate through new mediums and technologies
• Experience of using data to tell stories, persuade people to action, and to further strategic goals of NetHope.
• Excellent English communication skills a must, but additional multilingual verbal and written communication skills a strong plus

Education and Experience
• Experience using Hootsuite, WordPress, Squarespace, Salesforce (or similar CRM), Asana (or similar task management tool).
• Minimum 10 years experience in a nonprofit communications team, including at least 5 years in leading others
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution preferred or equivalent work experience
• Experience in development and effective utilization and management of digital communications tools including, but not limited to websites, blogs, and social media.
• NetHope uses a variety of technology to facilitate our work. You can expect to use Salesforce, Asana, Slack, Miro, Zoom and Microsoft Office extensively. Of course we will provide orientation to these and others, but a high level of literacy in similar tools is a plus.
• NetHope Member experience highly valued, other NGO experience a plus

Reporting and Working Conditions:
• This position is a full-time position that reports to the Senior Director of Development and Communications and works closely across the entire leadership team.
• Supervises the Digital Communications Manager and external contractors.
• NetHope is a virtual organization, so our team, our Members, and our Partners are located around the world. Due to the global nature of the organization, meetings may thus be required at any time of the day to meet with our stakeholders in varying time zones. To meet these needs, NetHope embraces flexible schedules for team members, and we work with each other to be located globally, but still maintain a reasonable work time balance.
• As a global organization, we welcome qualified applicants with diverse backgrounds from various locations, and who may have non-traditional work patterns.
• NetHope is a networked team-oriented environment with staff working across functional areas to produce high-quality programs, services, and connections with our Members. We value open communication and believe that a staff working as a team produces the best outcomes.
• This position is 100% remote and virtual. A good internet connection (preferably broadband) is required as you must be able to join video calling.
• International or domestic travel may be required for 1 to 2 NetHope events annually.

How to Apply

Should this opportunity interest you, please submit your application in confidence here. Please include the job title in the subject line of your email submission. Applications will be accepted until May 23, 2022.

NetHope is an Equal Opportunity Employer.