Communications Associate (Press Assistant)

Job Summary:

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.

Join the International Republican Institute (IRI) as a Communications Associate and become an integral part of our dynamic External Affairs team. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to global democracy and governance initiatives. As a Communications Associate, you will be instrumental in defining IRI’s public image and amplifying its mission across various communication platforms.

Your responsibilities will include crafting compelling content, overseeing social media strategies, and monitoring media coverage. Collaborating closely with program staff, you will produce high-quality materials for diverse audiences and play a key role in event planning and execution. This position allows for collaboration with a wide range of colleagues and stakeholders in a multicultural setting.

With an emphasis on writing and editing, you will utilize your exceptional communication skills to research, draft, and refine materials like blogs, op-eds, press releases, and promotional content. Your ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to changing priorities will be critical in this dynamic role.

We are looking for a self-motivated individual with a keen interest in foreign affairs and development. This position is a perfect launchpad for a thriving career in communications and international relations, offering significant opportunities for professional development, networking, and engaging with the media.

If you’re eager to make a meaningful difference in the world and advance your career in a global organization, apply now and join us in shaping the future of democracy and governance!

This is a hybrid role based in Washington, DC.

Position Requirements:

• Undergraduate or graduate degree in Communications, Political/Social Science, International Relations, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field is preferred.
• 0-2 years of experience in communications, foreign affairs, national security, development issues, or a similar role.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with familiarity in event management tools like Eventbrite and marketing platforms like HubSpot.
• Experience supporting social media strategy development is highly preferred.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and copyediting skills, with a strong emphasis on organizational capabilities.
• Independent initiative, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and collaborate effectively with diverse teams across the institute.
• Demonstrated capacity to work with various writing styles and formats, deliver projects within deadlines, and build relationships with contacts and stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, analytical, and decision-making abilities.
• Strong attention to detail with an aptitude for prioritizing tasks and effective multitasking.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

• Provide general support and assistance to the external team.
• Manage IRI’s social media accounts, including drafting social content and monitoring analytics.
• Research, write, edit, and proofread a variety of organizational communication materials such as blogs, op-eds, press releases, media pitches, promotional pieces, publications, and one-pagers.
• Assist with media relations for IRI, including handling media inquiries
• Foster strategic relationships with the media, influencers, and program teams, while also updating and managing press-related resources such as talking points and press lists.
• Apply copyediting skills to refine the organization’s publications on diverse subjects.
• Collaborate closely with program staff to develop high-quality materials and efficiently manage multiple projects.
• Facilitate contractual arrangements in accordance with the organization’s standard procedures.
• Assist with media contacts, and conduct research on current news and key stakeholders.
• Contribute to the creation and maintenance of public-facing documents and materials, ensuring an up-to-date inventory.
• Organize events, including location scouting, budget creation, timeline and checklist development, and logistics management.
• Develop and maintain an editorial calendar for timely and relevant content across communication channels.
• Monitor media coverage, compiling reports to track the organization’s presence in the news.
• Coordinate and execute webinars, virtual events, and live streaming sessions.
• Assist in the updating and maintain website content.
• Participate in evaluating communication strategies by analyzing data to measure the effectiveness of campaigns.
• Enter and manage information in the CRM system.
• Perform additional duties as required.

Qualifications

Education

Required

Bachelors or better in Communication or related field.

Experience

Required

Less than 2 years:

Undergraduate or graduate degree in Communications, Political/Social Science, International Relations, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field is preferred. 0-2 years of experience in communications, foreign affairs, national security, development issues, or a similar role. High proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with familiarity in event management tools like Eventbrite and marketing platforms like HubSpot.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)