Position: Digital Communications Officer
Team: Communications
Reports to: Vice President, Strategic Communications
Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA or Remote
The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN) seeks to nourish the world’s hungry through uniting and advancing food banks. Founded in 2006, GFN connects food banking organizations in more than 40 countries that together serve more than 16 million people annually. The organization currently operates with a team of twenty-three employees based primarily out of Chicago and engages a globally diverse Board of Directors.
Our goal is to support communities in their fight against hunger and food insecurity through advancing the food banking model. GFN launched a new strategic plan in 2019 that charts continued growth with an ambitious vision to help enable its food bank members to materially increase the amount of food distributed to those in need, distribute more nutrient-rich foods, and strengthen the resilience of their communities. Its major goals include:
- Increase the number of people served by food banks with which GFN currently works;
- Expand food banking in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa;
- Support food banking organizations in distributing a greater diversity of foods;
- Build a trusted global network of food rescue and relief organizations.
Our 2030 vision is a global network of community-led food banks that serve meals to 50 million people facing hunger. Our team provides best practices, partners and resources to food bank founders and organizations to help them fight hunger more effectively. In the next five years, we are especially aiming to come alongside changemakers in low-income communities, primarily those based in Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America.
The Opportunity:
The Global FoodBanking Network is seeking to add a Digital Communications Officer to its rapidly growing communications team. The Officer will help build a digital strategy to complement The Global FoodBanking Network’s broader communications strategy, aligned to support GFN’s mission and goals.
GFN uses its four social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn) to:
- Build GFN’s reputation and brand recognition;
- Drive traffic to the GFN website;
- Increase donations to GFN;
- Position GFN as a thought leader on hunger and food waste;
- Participate in broader (digital) conversations about hunger and food waste.
The Digital Communications Officer must have a passion for creating and executing digital content and campaigns to further institutional objectives and reach key stakeholders. The ideal candidate will match an understanding of digital best practices with an enthusiasm to roll up their sleeves and put ideas into action, using data and analytics to measure success and inform all decisions.
The Officer will work closely with colleagues on the Programs and Development teams to identify and produce thoughtful content that matches GFN’s tone and guidelines featuring GFN’s accomplishments, the work of the food banks in the Network, and partner commitments. The successful candidate must be able to craft visual and written messages while maintaining the brand identity and integrity of GFN.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Responsibilities will evolve as the team grows, but starting tasks will include developing and executing a platform-specific content strategy, overseeing social media advertising, building our digital community, creating monthly analytics reports, and staying abreast of top social media trends, and platforms.
- Develop a platform-specific content strategy for priority social media channels to improve awareness and engagement.
- Create and maintain a proactive editorial social calendar; develop and post evergreen, timely, and dynamic content for all channels.
- Create social media campaigns to support and elevate key GFN priorities and to align with international days and other critical moments.
- Follow GFN media mentions and relevant news outlets; report to team and use to inform social content.
- Conceptualize and execute audience engagement tactics across channels (i.e., Facebook and Instagram Lives, Twitter chats, etc.).
- Develop and manage social media advertising campaigns.
- Monitor social media analytics and online web traffic and create accurate and detailed reporting on growth, engagement and tracking toward goals; provide monthly reports to team; use data and analytics to adjust strategy.
- May help produce video content and help develop and produce any virtual and capture content at on-site events.
- Liaise regularly with Programs and Development teams to understand priorities, keep updated about activities, track communications commitments in grant agreements and ensure all digital commitments are met, and reflect in messaging on social channels.
- Perform other related duties as requested.
Candidate Profile:
The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism or related field. Other combinations of education with relevant experience that demonstrate the ability to perform the duties of the position will be considered.
- At least 3-5 years of experience managing social media engagement, ideally in a nonprofit setting. Experience working in a global development context is a plus.
- Demonstrated experience using digital communications strategically to further organizational objectives.
- Experience with media marketing tools (Sprout Social, Meltwater).
- Strong written and oral communications skills; understanding of the different writing styles needed across social media channels.
- Ability to think strategically and creatively, work collaboratively with a team, and problem solve independently as needed.
- Task-focused work style with an ability to create and follow disciplined and effective processes.
- Knowledge of graphic design (Adobe Creative Suite) and video editing software helpful, but not required.
- Knowledge of Spanish is a plus.
Location:
The position will be based at GFN’s global headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, USA (remote location as needed during the COVID-19 crisis) or may be based remotely.
To Apply:
Please email a cover letter, resume, and salary expectations to
hr@foodbanking.org.
The Global FoodBanking Network embraces a philosophy that recognizes and values diversity. Its goal is to attract, develop, and retain a talented, diverse workforce in a culture where all employees will contribute to their fullest potential. EOE
