The Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs is hiring a Communications Professional to support strategic communications and public engagement for the group.

The Citizen Lab conducts research on information security that bears on international human rights law and policy. Our research is high-profile, technically rigorous, and regularly generates significant impact on public policy and advocacy.

Our reports are regularly covered in the media and receive front page coverage in prominent news media like the New York Times and Washington Post at least once a year (on average) since 2007.

The Citizen Lab is seeking a Communications Professional to develop, oversee, and implement our strategic communications and public engagements. The Communications Professional will work with Citizen Lab leadership to maximize research communications opportunities, develop innovative public engagement products, and manage media relations.

Key responsibilities:

  • Assists with the development, execution, implementation and evaluation of communication strategies for public relations purposes for the Citizen Lab.
  • Develop and recommend external communications, managing effective communication with the media and public.
  • Lead social media campaigns and public engagement projects to maximize research communications and impact of the Citizen Lab.
  • Write press releases, handle media calls, distribute media calls to appropriate staff members.
  • Train staff on media relations and prepare them for media appearances.
  • Develop crisis communication plans as necessary.
  • Format and publish Citizen Lab reports, blog posts, and other content on Citizen Lab website and social media accounts.
  • Maintain style guide and provide direction in the interpretation of the style guide in websites, publications and other applications.
  • Maintain media section on Citizen Lab website including press kits, media FAQs, etc.
  • Maintain Citizen Lab monthly newsletter and other public engagement products.
  • Maintain statistics related to media hits and website analytics and prepare regular reports.

Supervisor: The Communications Professional will report directly to the Director of the Citizen Lab.

Required Skills and Experience:

  • Superior spoken and written English communications skills. Fluency in other languages is an asset.
  • Minimum 5 years experience managing strategic communications, public relations, and leading creative communications projects preferably in non-profit, think tank, or academic research environment.
  • Demonstrated experience in planning and implementing crisis communications strategies.
  • Skilled at developing key messaging and talking points; experience articulating positioning/messaging within context of web content.
  • Demonstrated ability to train others in media relations including adversarial interview situations.
  • Demonstrated experience implementing content management systems in a multi-contributor environment, using dynamic database-driven websites and applications, and social media.
  • Proficient in HTML, CSS, and WordPress.
  • Advanced knowledge of web marketing including website analytics and optimization methods and technologies.
  • A demonstrated understanding of best practices in information architecture, navigation, user interface, usability, accessibility standards and testing.
  • Strong organizational and problem-solving skills; demonstrated ability to juggle multiple conflicting priorities; demonstrated skill in managing priorities with limited resources and strong project management skills.

Desirable Skills and attributes:

We are interested in applicants with a strong sense of professional discretion and interest in technology policy and human rights. Previous experience in communicating complex technology and human rights policy issues to variety of stakeholders is an asset.

Note:

  • Candidate must be based in Toronto or be willing to relocate.
  • Applicants must be legally eligible to work in Canada.
  • The Citizen Lab at the Munk School of Global Affairs is an inclusive workplace, and is committed to championing accessibility, diversity and equal opportunity. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process providing the applicant has met the requirements for the open position. Applicants need to make their requirements known when contacted.

Position Status: Casual contract up to six months. Compensation commensurate with experience.

Contact: Interested applicants should send an email with cover letter and resume to jobs@citizenlab.ca with subject line “Communications Application”. We sincerely thank all applications for their expressed interest in this opportunity; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please.

Deadline: March 31 2017