What are the responsibilities and job description for the Press Officer position at The Center for Reproductive Rights?
Job Title : Press Officer
Department : Communications
Center Background : The Center for Reproductive Rights (the Center) is a global human rights organization working to ensure that reproductive rights are protected in law as fundamental human rights around the world. With offices in New York City, New York; Nairobi, Kenya; Bogota, Colombia; Geneva, Switzerland; and Washington, D.C., the Center is a non-profit, non-partisan organization changing law and policy throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the United States. Our 230 diverse professionals are committed to advancing the Center's human rights mission through game-changing litigation, legal policy, and advocacy work. This has powered the Center's exceptional growth to an operating budget of over $50 million and won the respect of law firms in countries around the world, with an additional $29 million annually of donated legal services, representing the work of countless lawyers from more than 46 countries.
The Center's Strategic Plan sets a high mark for impact : By 2030, half of the world's population will be living under stronger protections for reproductive rights than they are today. The Center has a track record of success to back up this ambitious goal. Since our founding in 1992, the Center has transformed how reproductive rights are understood and applied by courts, governments, and human rights bodies worldwide on issues including maternal health, abortion, assisted reproduction, and adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). We have won groundbreaking cases before national courts, U.N. Committees, and regional human rights bodies. Additionally, the Center has led the development of historic, proactive legislation advancing robust protections for reproductive rights and has built the legal capacity of women's rights advocates in more than 65 countries and counting.
The Role : The U.S. Press Officer will report directly to the Associate Director of U.S. Media Relations and will work closely with the Center's attorneys and other U.S. Program staff. At this critical time for reproductive rights, she / he / they will help shape the organization's messaging and create proactive press strategies to influence public discourse and policy makers, effecting real change.
The Press Officer will play a critical role on the Press Team, securing coverage of the Center as well as its clients in high-profile media. The Press Officer will collaborate with the larger Communications Team to increase the visibility of the Center's work in the U.S., including litigation and policy / advocacy work at the federal and state level.
They will engage journalists and thought leaders at the national and local level to promote the Center's work on priority issues like abortion access and maternal health care. This includes securing media coverage and interviews (TV, radio, online and print); placing op-eds in key media outlets; developing press materials and talking points; creating comprehensive press plans; and preparing spokespeople for media appearances.
The Press Officer plays a strategic role in the Communications Department, continually surveying the media landscape for upcoming opportunities and challenges-and working with colleagues within and outside the department to develop strategies for responding to them, often on very tight deadlines.
This position can be based out of the Center's New York headquarters or Washington D.C. office. Covid-19 Vaccination is required for all U.S.-based employees of the Center.
Primary Responsibilities :
- Work with the larger Press Team to create and execute impactful public relations strategies for the Center's 30 ongoing lawsuits and U.S. policy initiatives.
- Translate dense legal arguments and concepts into digestible messaging that resonates with press and the general public.
- Cultivate, maintain and expand relationships with key journalists, editors, bookers and others who regularly cover reproductive rights issues in national, regional and local outlets.
- Secure top tier profile pieces on the Center's attorneys and experts.
- Write press releases, statements, briefing memos, talking points, and op-eds related to the Center's U.S. work (in partnership with the larger Press Team).
- Monitor trends and developments in media and culture related to reproductive rights issues; identify opportunities and suggest strategies for positioning the Center as a leading public authority in the field.
- Prepare Center spokespeople for press interviews and public appearances, including drafting talking points and providing formal media training and informal prep sessions prior to each interview or event.
- Help manage the Center's robust database of media contacts, ensuring it is current and constantly expanding as reporter assignments change. Proactively develop relationships with reporters and editors.
- Work closely and collaborate effectively with other departments to ensure strategies are aligned across the organization.
- Work with partner organizations on joint messaging and shared media goals as appropriate.
- Execute special projects as needed.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Occasional travel for court hearings and other events.
Qualifications :
Don't meet every single requirement? At the Center, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your past experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
Behavioral Competencies :
Work Competencies :
Compensation : The annual salary for this position is $96,000. This salary is reflective of a position based in New York City or Washington D.C. This salary will be subject to a locality adjustment, if an authorization is granted to work outside of the location listed in this posting. Note that most of the salaries listed on our job postings reflect New York, NY salaries, where our National offices are headquartered.
Benefits :
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Center is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. We strongly encourage people from all communities to apply. If you are excited about this role and unsure about whether your past experience aligns with the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles.
Our hiring processes and our work culture offer support and flexibility for staff with a variety of needs. Should you face an accessibility barrier in the application and interview process please let us know by contacting [redacted]. We will work with you to provide the accommodation that works best for you.
To learn more about the Center's commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), please visit Diversity, Equity and Inclusion | Center for Reproductive Rights
Learn more about the Center for Reproductive Rights, go to www.reproductiverights.org
FLSA Exempt Status : This is an exempt position.
Union Status : This position will be part of the CRR Union, a shop within Local 2110 United Auto Workers-Technical, Office, and Professional Workers Union.
How to Apply : Please complete the application below to apply. A cover letter and resume must be included in your application. Please include these application materials as attachments.
Please note that all genuine Center openings must be applied through the Center website. The Center does not charge a fee at any stage in the recruitment process (application, interviews, or selection). Nor does it request any medical examinations or bank account information as part of this process. If someone contacts, you on behalf of the Center requesting payment for your application please notify [redacted] before taking any further action.
Our hiring processes and our work culture offer support and flexibility for staff with a variety of needs. Should you face an accessibility barrier in the application and interview process please let us know by contacting [redacted]. We will work with you to provide the accommodation that works best for you.
Deadline for applications : Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Center policy on visa sponsorship for US based positions : Applicants for employment in the US must have valid work authorization that does not now and / or will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the US by The Center for Reproductive Rights.
LI-Hybrid #LI-JC1
Salary : $29 - $96,000