Job Description

Date Posted: 08/18/2022
Req ID: 26802
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Arts & Science
Department: Citizen Lab
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number: 00036277
Description: About us:

The Faculty of Arts & Science is the heart of Canada’s leading university and one of the world's most comprehensive and diverse academic divisions. The strength of Arts & Science derives from our combined teaching and research excellence in the humanities, sciences and social sciences across 29 departments, seven colleges and 46 interdisciplinary centres, institutes and programs.

The Munk School of Global Affairs proudly offers 14 teaching programs in various areas of global expertise. As part of the University of Toronto, we are home to exceptional faculty, experts, researchers from around the globe, and over 40 academic centres, labs, and programs. Our goal is to build unique, world-renowned research, teaching, and public engagement centre that shapes the new field of global affairs in Canada. Our School unifies those passionate about global affairs to discuss the problems of a fast-changing world.

We can only realize our mission with the dedication and excellence of engaged staff and faculty. The faculty's diversity of opportunities and perspectives reflect the local and global landscape and the need for curiosity, innovative thinking and collaboration. At Arts & Science, we take pride in our innovation and discovery legacy that has changed how we think about the world.

Your opportunity:

The Citizen Lab is an interdisciplinary laboratory based in the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto, focusing on research at the intersection of digital media, global security, and human rights.

Under the general direction of the Director of the Citizen Lab and reporting directly to the Operation Manager, the Communications Specialist is responsible for taking the lead in developing, executing, implementing and evaluating the Citizen Lab’s strategic communications and public engagement initiatives to maximize research communication opportunities nationally and internationally, on topics such as digital media, global security, human rights and other related projects. The incumbent develops innovative public engagement products and promotional material; and manages media relations, including developing crisis communication plans and training and preparing staff on media relations, including adversarial interview situations, preparing speaking material, press kits and presentations.

Your responsibilities will include:

• 
  Advising on approaches to content generation for writing assignments
• Developing and maintaining relationships with news reporters and media contacts
• Researching and recommending story ideas that advance priorities and initiatives
• Conducting interviews with leaders, faculty, staff and students for external publication
• Drafting storyboard content and presenting it to clients as options
• Writing news and feature stories
• Writing key messages and/or speeches for staff and faculty
• Developing content for marketing and/or promotional materials

Essential Qualifications:

• 
  Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, English, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education or experience.
• Minimum four (4) years experience in recent and related experience in taking the lead and managing content and developing wide-ranging communications strategies for public engagement projects, media relations and campaigns, social media, and websites.
• Demonstrated experience with spearheading creative projects and writing and editing content for publication and promotion, preferably in a non-profit, think tank or academic research environment.
• Demonstrated experience in communicating complex issues in digital media, global security, and human rights policies to various stakeholders nationally and internationally.
• Demonstrated experience in planning and implementing crisis communications strategies.
• Experience in developing and preparing speaking material, press kits, presentation key messaging and talking points in the context of written material and web content
• Demonstrated experience in managing various Web publishing and communications tools (blogs, social media, email newsletters, content management systems, CSS, HTML etc.).
• Demonstrated experience producing and proofreading written editorial and web copy.
• Demonstrated experience and ability to interact professionally with senior government and academic leaders and be comfortable with the dynamism of an internationally respected and growing research laboratory and interdisciplinary centre.
• Experience identifying media and publication opportunities to promote the Citizen Lab’s research activities in print and web outlets.
• Experience training and preparing staff on media relations, including adversarial interview situations.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office, HTML, Word Press, spreadsheets, databases and web (blogs, social media, email newsletters, content management systems, CSS, HTML etc.) and desktop publishing/graphic design (Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.)
• Proven journalistic skills, including investigating and pitching stories, executing interviews and writing news and feature stories.
• Advanced knowledge of web marketing, including website analytics and optimization methods and technologies
• Demonstrated understanding of best practices in information architecture, navigation, user interface, usability, accessibility standards and testing
• Excellent problem solving, diplomacy, and analytical skills
• Excellent creative skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and a highly professional demeanour

Assets (Nonessential):

• 
  A strong interest in global affairs and security studies.

To be successful in this role, you will be:

• 
  Communicator
• Multi-tasker
• Organized
• Resourceful
• Tactful
• Team player

Closing Date: 08/29/2022, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW
Appointment Type: Grant - Continuing
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
USW Pay Band 11 - $67,659 with an annual step progression to a maximum of $86,523. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.
Job Category: Communication/Media/Public Relations
Recruiter: Kecha Holland Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.