Program Communications Officer

One-year contract, full-time, with possibility of renewal

Location: Ottawa, ON.  

During the COVID-19 pandemic, SOS Children’s Villages staff are primarily working from home. However, due to the nature of the position, occasional presence in the office will be required. 

SOS Children’s Villages Canada is looking for a proactive and collaborative Program Communications Officer (full-time). You will be a core member of the International Program and Partnerships team, working closely with program and fund development staff in Canada, Africa, Latin America and Europe. As the Program Communications Officer, you will be primarily responsible for increasing awareness of SOS Children’s Villages’ programs and their impact among key stakeholders, including government aid agencies, major donors, foundations, the private sector and INGO partners. 

You will lead the development of a wide range of original communication and marketing material tailored to diverse stakeholders. In addition, you will play a key role in managing program-specific communication on the company website, ensuring effective use of social media for key audiences and supporting the development of thought leadership pieces and events. 

•  In collaboration with program and fund development staff, develop and implement communication strategies to engage diverse stakeholders (government aid agencies, major donors, foundations, the private sector and INGO partners).
•  Create original marketing and communication material including program specific webpages, thematic reports, project impact reports, project updates, infographics, and videos.
•  Maintain up-to-date communication resources about SOS Children’s Villages’ core programs, revisited regularly to maintain accuracy. 
•  Develop social media content to engage key audiences (GAC, INGO partners, and corporate partners). 
•  Lead the design and creation of program specific website content.
•  Support the Communications and Media Coordinator with program specific information for corporate communications and mass marketing pieces.  
•  Lead the development of thought leadership pieces and events (including op-eds, long-form media and speakers’ series or virtual roundtables). 
•  Provide technical inputs on project communications during the development of new project proposals.

•  Excellent written and oral English.
•  Working knowledge of Spanish or French is a strong asset.

•  3+ years of relevant work experience in communications, preferably within a non-governmental organization. 
•  A degree/diploma in marketing, communications, and/or other relevant discipline. 
•  A passion for, and knowledge of, child-focused international development and humanitarian assistance programming.
•  Excellent writing and editorial skills with experience creating communication products for key audiences (ex. Global Affairs Canada, major donors, foundations and corporations). 
•  Skills and experience in graphic design, audio and video editing. 
•  Exceptional drive, with a proven ability to work independently and as part of a team to deliver high quality outcomes.
•  Strong time management, organisational skills, and exceptional attention to detail.
•  Experience managing diverse social media platforms to engage key audiences, including creating original content.  
•  Experience supporting fundraising special events (including virtual) through development and production of related materials and media outreach.
•  Excellent knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud or comparable alternative.
•  Knowledge of webpage editing software (CMS, HTML) is an asset.
•  Active engagement with a network of media contacts is an asset.

Interested applicants for this position: please send your CV and a cover letter explaining why you are suitable for this role to hr@soschildrensvillages.ca by January 13th, 2021.

SOS Children’s Villages is committed to employment equity, welcomes diversity in the workplace and encourages applications from all qualified applicants. 

Offers of employment will be conditional upon satisfactory results of professional reference checks and provision of a Vulnerable Sector Police Background Check.