Using the format provided in the classroom, submit a cover letter for the following position.

The letter should be addressed to a person. The description below identifies a person to whom the letter may be addressed. The failure to address a person will result in a zero for the assignment.

COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST, WATER PROGRAM, WORLD RESOURCES INSTITUTE

Job Summary

In this role within our Water Program, you will lead communications for this Program and its signature Aqueduct™ suite of online tools. Working with the Program’s experts and partners, you will develop and execute high-impact outreach strategies, distilling technical research into compelling, actionable messages to influence key decision-makers. You will also help write blogs and op eds, engage with media on water issues, and manage the Water team’s digital presence, including on social media and through email newsletters. You will help coordinate external events for the team, such as workshops and launch convenings.

You will report to the Global Director of the Water Program, work closely with WRI’s Core Communications team and collaborate with a global network of communications professionals embedded across the Institute, including colleagues in our international offices.

Job Responsibilities

• Develop strategic communications plans and narratives for the Water Program, working with WRI’s core communications team to execute them.
• Distill technical research, analysis, and data into compelling and digestible messages to reach key audiences such as government officials, corporations, and civil society groups via press releases, blogs, op eds, social media, video and other communications.
• Manage the WRI Water Newsletter, with support from WRI’s Core Communications Team.
• Manage and expand WRI Water’s social media presence.
• Draft and edit communications materials such as blogs, messaging guides, handouts and brochures, Powerpoint slide decks and talking points for important events.
• Identify creative opportunities to boost visibility of water issues and the Water Program’s work.
• Work with vendors to create engaging events to convene stakeholders and compelling communication materials to amplify research.
• Enhance internal communications across the Water Program and within all of WRI, including international offices.
• Work with WRI’s Core Communications team to pitch stories, findings, and publications to relevant reporters and news outlets.
• Occasionally, this role will include light administrative tasks.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in communications, environmental policy, journalism, or a related field.
• Minimum of 2 years of full time, relevant work experience in communications, with a salient link to environmental and/or development issues.
• Demonstrated ability as an articulate, versatile and highly skilled writer.
• Strong computer skills – highly competent in Microsoft Office Suite, additional experience or familiarity with Cision or other pitching applications, and Adobe Creative Suite is a bonus
• Excellent interpersonal communications, a team player willing to collaborate closely with others.
• Strong commitment to WRI’s mission and values.
• Ideally, experience working with reporters or media experts.
• Adaptable to rapidly changing priorities and ability to manage multiple projects with varying deadlines. Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, both independently and as part of a diverse team.
• Strong writing and proofreading skills.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to work well in a team.
• US work authorization is required for this opportunity, and WRI cannot offer visa sponsorship for it.

Water Program Overview

WRI’s Water Program works with businesses, governments, and civil society to ensure a water-secure future – addressing both water quantity and quality challenges. We do this through several projects and initiatives around the world. We conduct economic and other analyses to identify water-related challenges globally and, we identify solutions—such as restoring ecosystem services—to alleviate stresses on the world’s water supplies.

WRI Overview

World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being. We are working to address six critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade in order to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water and sustainable cities.

We are passionate. We value our diversity of interests, skills and backgrounds. We have a flexible work environment. And we share a common goal to catalyze change that will improve the lives of people. Our shared ideals are at the core of our approach. They include: integrity, innovation, urgency, independence and respect.

The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges, and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.

We have been growing rapidly: our staff has doubled in size over the past 5 years and our operating budget is now $100 million. Founded in 1982, WRI has a global staff of nearly 700 people with work spanning 50 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States.

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices.