Communication and Engagement Officer

Job Overview:

Self-Help International (SHI) seeks a highly skilled and dedicated Communication and Engagement Officer to join our organization. SHI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working in Ghana, West Africa and Nicaragua, Central America. SHI carries out its mission to alleviate hunger by helping people help themselves by providing resources to empower families, especially women, in the areas of sustainable agriculture, nutrition, and economic development.

Self-Help’s U.S. operations are based in Iowa with offices in Waverly and Des Moines. The US office’s focus is to secure the financial and human resources necessary to carry out our mission overseas by raising funds necessary to carry out our mission, collaborating with interns and skilled volunteers, ensuring good governance, and monitoring and evaluating programs to achieve the overall mission.

Role & Responsibilities: The main function of the job is to engage with donors via virtual communication and through engagement activities. Some potential tasks of the position are listed below. There will be other duties not listed that will be assigned as needed throughout the job.

Fundraising Communications Support

• Assist with stewardship of current donors and cultivation of potential donors through written, e-mail, and phone correspondence.
• Manage compilation of content for print newsletters and impact reports.
• Coordinate submission of impact stories to relevant print and e-publications such as Iowa Methodist magazines and Rotarian magazine.
• Coordinate and curate information on SHI's impact across these channels: Self-Help’s blog, e-newsletter, GlobalGiving, social media, and via partner organizations.
• Oversee and develop speaking engagements and presentations, including those to churches, civic groups, etc. Assist the speaker with preparation of materials.
• Assisting with updating SHI website with key information from the impact reports, blog stories, and other sources as assigned.
• Event management in collaboration with the ED/DD, to include facilitation of mailings, preparation of materials, gift management, timely financial reporting and analysis, event volunteer management when needed, other duties as assigned.
• Coordinate and implement an ongoing social media calendar highlighting specific program achievements and needs.

General Operations

• Business communications, including telephone and email customer service, mass mailings, gift-related mailings, and donor relations.
• Manage office space including general maintenance, maintaining inventory of office equipment and supplies.
• Review data entry and assist with donor data management within Raiser’s Edge software, including running queries, pulling reports.
• Assist with overseas travel planning, preparation, and notification requirements.
• General problem-solving and troubleshooting assistance to other staff as needed.

Program Communications Support

• Reviewing monthly program reports to assist with overal communication plan.
• Coordinating communications with overseas primary communications contact and note taking during meeting with overseas teams.
• Assist with data analysis and grant report preparation.Research and compilation of briefings about areas of SHI’s work such as data on global nutrition, financial inclusion, empowering women, etc.
• Updating Google Maps to visually display program impact.

Financial & Donation Processing Support

• Review recorded contributions and assist with accurately acknowledging donors.
• Assist with maintenance of accurate income & expense records and lists of donations and designated gifts, including saving relevant documentation to donor files.

Skill Set/Qualifications:

• Detail oriented, work with accuracy

• Strong communication skills

• Ability to effectively prioritize to meet deadlines and communicate when changes arise

• Able to transition from one project to another in a changing, fast-paced environment

• Must be proficient in Word and comfortable with learning new software, using Google Suite, and navigating within Dropbox

• Prior experience with database management preferred, particularly Raiser’s Edge, and/or willingness to learn

• Must be proficient in English, ability to communicate in Spanish a plus

• Must have reliable transportation to office

Compensation: We offer competitive compensation commensurate with experience. Benefits include paid holidays, paid time off, parental leave, health, dental, and vision insurance, professional development assistance, and employee assistance program.

Compensation range: starting at $35,000-$42,000 salary. Negotiable depending on experience and position

Work authorization: Candidates must be authorized to work in the USA.

To apply: Submit a cover letter and résumé with reference details to information@selfhelpinternational.org. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis from February 13, 2025 until the position is filled. Anticipated start date March 15, 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Note: The above job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by an individual in this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the position. Responsibilities and duties may change or evolve based on the needs of the organization.

SHI does not evangelize or seek to promote any particular faith or religion. Self-Help programs are offered regardless of the race, creed or nationality of the recipients and without adverse distinction of any kind and are not used to further a particular political or religious standpoint.

SHI is committed to a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. SHI encourages members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including people of color, LGBTQ and gender non-conforming people, people who speak a language in addition to English, and people with unique lived experience or diverse professional or personal backgrounds and perspectives.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $38,000.00 - $43,500.00 per year

Benefits:

• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• Communication skills: 3 years (Preferred)

Language:

• English (Required)
• Spanish (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Waverly, IA 50677 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Waverly, IA 50677: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $35,000 - $42,000