Communications Coordinator

Human Rights Watch (“HRW”) is seeking a Media Desk Coordinator to help run the global press desk as part of a team and provide administrative assistance to its Communications Division, part of the External Relations Department.  The External Relations Department works to determine the best messages, the right audiences, and the best vehicle to raise public awareness of the human rights violations HRW investigates and documents. This position reports to the Communications Director in New York and also supports other members of the Communications Division.  HRW anticipates that the successful candidate will start in early October 2015. Responsibilities:   1.       Proofread, format, and distribute press materials, such as news releases and media advisories;   2.      Coordinate translations including recruiting translators, maintaining a translator schedule, arranging and tracking payments, and distributing training materials;   3.      Respond to queries from journalists, editors, and bookers;    4.      Gather and post relevant materials to appropriate web pages;   5.       Help maintain and build HRW’s global media contact database;   6.      Monitor media coverage;   7.       Assist HRW researchers and advocates in planning and implementing media strategies;   8.      Pitch story ideas to relevant journalists;   9.      Assist with preparation for news conferences, meetings, and special events;   10.   Recruit and coordinate interns;   11.    Provide substantive, logistical, and administrative assistance to Communications Division staff including processing departmental finances, filing, arranging travel plans, and drafting and editing correspondence;   12.   Work evening hours and some weekends as required; and   13.   Carry out other duties as required. Qualifications: Education: A bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, foreign policy or other relevant field is required.   Experience:  A minimum of 2-3 years of relevant work experience is required.    Related Skills and Knowledge:           1.    Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are required; proficiency in Arabic is strongly preferred.          2.    Prior office/administration experience and strong organizational skills with close attention to detail are required.          3.    Strong interpersonal skills, including patience and a sense of humor, and ability to work well under pressure while juggling multiple tasks simultaneously are required.   4.    Ability to prioritize with minimal supervision and work independently as well as function as a member of a team with staff in multiple locations globally is required.        5.    Proficiency in computer packages including MS Office applications is required; knowledge of Drupal CMS is a plus.   6.    Strong interest in international human rights and media, including social media, is strongly preferred.   Other: Applicants for this position must possess current Lebanese work authorization valid for a minimum of two years from start date. Human Rights Watch is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices and, in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seeks a diverse applicant pool.