Every employee of IRI is responsible for carrying out the Mission of IRI and demonstrating the Core Values in their day-to-day operations. The Core Values, which are IRI’s foundational building blocks include:

Excellence – We believe in quality results delivered by investing in people. Freedom – We believe in exploration and experimentation to be agile and responsive. Respect- We believe in trust, empathy and empowering people. Teamwork- We believe in diversity, inclusion and the power of global collaboration. Transparency – We believe in open communication and clear decision-making. Accountability- We believe in personal responsibility as the foundation of success.

The International Republican Institute (IRI) is seeking a talented and motivated Media/Communications Specialist to join the Ghana program team. This exciting opportunity offers the chance to make a meaningful impact on democracy and governance issues worldwide. The Media/Communications Specialist will play a crucial role in shaping the organization’s public image and promoting its mission through a wide range of communication channels.

Position Requirements:

• Undergraduate/graduate degree preferred in communications, political/social science, international relations, public relations, marketing, journalism, or related field
• 3-5 years of relevant experience in communications, foreign affairs, national security, development issues, or a related role
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and knowledge of the application Eventbrite and HubSpot. Proficiency with Cision or other media monitoring tools strongly preferred.
• Ability to exercise judgment on the quality and messaging of external content
• Excellent writing, editing, organizational, and copy-editing skills
• Self-starter with the ability to multi-task numerous projects at once and work well with individuals and teams across the institute
• Proven ability to handle a wide range of writing formats, deliver projects on deadline, and foster relationships with contacts and stakeholders
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, analytical, and decision-making skills
• Meticulous attention to detail and the ability to prioritize tasks and multitask

Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

• Provide general support and assistance to the entire external team
• Assist in researching, writing, editing, and proofreading organizational communication materials, blogs, op-eds, press releases, media pitches, promotional pieces, publications, and one-pagers
• Assist in creating compelling content, managing social media accounts, monitoring media coverage, and developing communication strategies.
• Use copyediting skills to edit the organization’s publications on a wide range of subjects
• Work closely with program staff to develop excellent high-quality materials for both internal and external audiences and contribute to the planning and execution of projects
• Aid in contractual arrangements following the organization’s standard contracting procedures
• Assist in managing media contacts and conducting research on leading developments in the news and key stakeholders
• Contribute to the development and production of public-facing documents and handouts; maintain electronic and physical inventory of these materials
• Assist with all aspects of events, including researching locations, creating budgets, timelines, and checklists, and managing logistics
• Develop and maintain an editorial calendar to ensure timely and relevant content across various communication channels
• Monitor media coverage and compile regular reports to inform the team and stakeholders of the organization’s presence in the news
• Coordinate and manage webinars, virtual events, and live streaming sessions
• Assist in creating and updating website content to ensure consistency and accuracy
• Contribute to the evaluation of communication efforts by gathering and analyzing data to measure the effectiveness of strategies and campaigns
• Able to multitask, manage multiple projects, and adapt to shifting priorities.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications