Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) seeks a strategic, news-driven and organized temporary Press Officer with outstanding writing and pitching skills to drive message distribution across traditional and digital media channels in support Amnesty’s human rights mission for a temporary position.
The Press Officer is a member of AIUSA’s Public Affairs Department reporting directly to the Interim Director of Media Relations. They aide the Director of Media Relations in the day-to-day management of AIUSA and its principles in the news. They are a strong writer, have a background in media relations and will aide, and sometimes lead, pitching and prepping of Amnesty spokespeople. They will work with the Digital and Web units, the Campaigns and Programs Departments, and the Government Relations Department to increase Amnesty’s visibility in the media both online and offline.
- Works under direction of the Director of Media Relations on communications plans and outreach activities ensuring that our members and the public are fully informed of our activities and given the opportunity to engage. Manages the development and implementation of AIUSA best practice and process on press conferences and other media events.
- Aides Director of Media Relations in message production, media planning, media pitching, producing press events, and expertly promotes, develops and implements policies, procedures and programs to meet AIUSA’s responsibilities for dissemination of information to the press – both online and offline.
- Maintains daily contact with print, broadcast and digital media in coordination with the Director of Media Relations, coordinates press conferences and prepares briefing materials in advance of such interviews and appearances. Aggressively pitches media interviews, editorial boards, television, digital, and/or radio to further educate members and the public on our human rights campaigns and programs.
- Prepares news releases, announcements, fact sheets and other printed, filmed or recorded materials to the media.
- Leads maintenance of Public Affairs unit’s infrastructure, including media lists, proofing and distributing press releases, posting press materials to AIUSA's website, etc.
- Closely monitors human rights news and events, including social media channels, in order to identify and develop media opportunities as well as conduct reporter research.
- Maintains working knowledge of AIUSA’s campaigns, programs and initiatives and proactively recommends stories to pitch to press and emerging media.
- Other duties as assigned.
- 4 - 6 years experience in a fast-paced digital and/or communications role, minimum of 3 years of direct experience dealing with the press.
- Experience executing strategic communications strategies across multiple channels with proven track record of generating earned media.
- Extensive experience pitching reporters with strong relationships with national and regional media, including television bookers and producers.
- Non-profit, electoral, and/or community organizing experience preferred.
- Experience working on international human rights issues preferred.