Communications Officer

Come work with us!

Do you have a passion for social justice? Speak Russian and English fluently? Care about health and human rights? The HIV Legal Network is seeking a full-time Communications Officer to support and advance our work in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) to defend and promote the human rights of people living with HIV and key populations particularly affected by HIV.

Position: Communications Officer (Eastern Europe and Central Asia)

Location: Based in Toronto office (with remote work as necessary given public health considerations, and some travel required when feasible)

Application Deadline: Friday, May 7, 2021. Note that applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Status: Full-time, permanent position

About The HIV Legal Network

Since 1992, the HIV Legal Network has been working to promote the human rights of people living with, at risk of or affected by HIV or AIDS, in Canada and internationally, through research and analysis, litigation and other advocacy, public education and community mobilization. We envision a world in which the human rights and dignity of people living with HIV or AIDS and those affected by the disease are fully realized and in which laws and policies facilitate HIV prevention, care, treatment and support.

For nearly 30 years, the Legal Network has not only been making change in Canada, but also contributing to the global movement for health and human rights. Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) remains among the global regions where HIV epidemic continues to grow. People who use drugs, sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender people, and migrants are the “key populations” affected by the epidemic. Their vulnerability to HIV is driven by outdated and/or discriminatory laws, policies and practices that impede effective prevention measures and their access to appropriate care and treatment. For more than 15 years, the HIV Legal Network has been actively engaged in the promotion and protection of human rights of key populations in EECA, working in collaboration with partners confronting this challenging environment.

Job Description

The HIV Legal Network is looking to hire a full-time Communications Officer (Eastern Europe and Central Asia) to join our Communications Team, reporting to the Director of Communications and Advocacy. They will work with the other communications staff and with the Senior Policy Analyst leading our work in EECA to support our human rights research, education, advocacy and community engagement in the region. This will include raising awareness of human rights issues affecting the HIV response in the region, and of the work of the HIV Legal Network and its regional partners, among various target audiences, including government officials and agencies, media, civil society organizations, and donors and funders, both in the EECA and beyond.

The Communications Officer will operate with supervision, as needed, by the Director of Communications and Advocacy and in partnership with the Senior Policy Analyst responsible for leading the HIV Legal Network’s work in EECA.

Responsibilities

Monitoring relevant daily news across the EECA region.

Preparation of communications materials (e.g., talking points, briefing notes, info sheets, etc.) to support and demonstrate the impact of the HIV Legal Network’s advocacy activities in the EECA region.

Cooperation with the HIV Legal Network’s partners in joint external communications activities, including media relations and advocacy campaigns, as relevant to the EECA region.

Writing and editing content, in Russian and English, for publication on the HIV Legal Network’s (and/or partners’) digital platforms (e.g., website, social media, e-newsletters), including managing the Legal Network’s social media feeds in Russian.

Support and collaborate with the HIV Legal Network’s Communications team and Senior Policy Analyst in generating dynamic, high-impact and differentiated content raising awareness of the organization’s work and advancing its advocacy objectives.

Identifying media opportunities and tools to influence appropriate audiences for advancing the HIV Legal Network’s mission and its specific objectives with its activities in the EECA region.

Manage projects providing information support for partners’ activities in EECA region, with a particular focus on activities for the promotion and protection of human rights of people living with HIV and people vulnerable to HIV.

Prepare communications materials and carry out other activities aimed at securing ongoing funds to support the HIV Legal Network’s work in EECA.

Salary and Benefits

Salary for this role is $55,000/year plus employer-paid benefits. The HIV Legal Network offers a highly competitive vacation package and a collegial, flexible working environment.

Desired Start Date

We would like to fill the position as soon as possible but have flexibility and are seeking a candidate well-suited for the position and organization.

Qualifications

Competencies

Ability to work both in a team and independently, carrying out tasks in a timely and organized manner.

Excellent interpersonal and networking skills and the ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with a variety of audiences (civil society, experts, donors, government representatives, etc.), as well as with colleagues.

Good knowledge of web-based knowledge management systems and social media platforms.

Ability to be strategic and analytical.

Strong planning and organizing skills, with the ability to juggle multiple tasks by identifying priority activities and assignments and to use time efficiently.

Track record in creating relevant content for key populations affected by the HIV epidemic and by human rights abuses.

Ability to travel, including internationally, on a flexible schedule as needed.

Core Values

Respect for diversity and comfort working with diverse communities, including key populations affected by HIV and human rights abuses.

Professionalism and a commitment to high-quality work.

A clear understanding of, and commitment to, the protection and promotion of human rights and to the mission and values the HIV Legal Network.

Required Skills and Experience

Education and Certification

A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in communications, advertising, public relations or relevant field is required.

Experience

First-hand experience of working with key affected populations in the EECA region.

At least 5 years of professional work experience at the regional and/or international level in public relations, communications, fundraising or advocacy.

Previous work experience in the NGO sector would be a strong asset, as would experience with fundraising.

Experience with the use of social media.

Experience in using different web content management systems (e.g., WordPress).

Experience in developing content for a range of communications products (print and digital) and for different target audiences.

Knowledge of human rights issues, particularly those related to drug policy and people who use drugs, as well as other key populations affected by HIV, is highly desirable.

Language Requirements

Given the nature and purpose of the position, fluency in both English and Russian is essential. The main working language of the HIV Legal Network is English, but its work in EECA is conducted primarily in Russian. This position will play a key role in raising the awareness of this work with the target audiences in both Russian and English.

Working knowledge of another EECA-region language is an asset.

Application Process

Please apply by e-mailing a cover letter stating you found this on Jeff Gaulin’s Journalism Board, your resume and a brief writing sample (that has not been edited by another) to [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and should be received no later than Friday, May 7, 2021.

We thank all applicants for their interest but cannot respond to all inquiries; only those selected for an interview will be contacted. The HIV Legal Network is strongly committed to building an inclusive and diverse workplace. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented or marginalized groups, including people living with HIV, people who use(d) drugs, sex workers, Indigenous people, Black people, other racialized people, LGBTQ2S+ people, and people with disabilities, are welcome to self-identify, should they feel comfortable in doing so, in their application.

HIV Legal Network

Toronto , Ontario