US Communications Intern - Mercy Corps

Tracking Code

218432-927 

 

Job Description

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS INTERNSHIP, ALL APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT A RESUME/CV AND COVER LETTER

INTERN WORKSITE LOCATION: Seattle, WA

DATES OF INTERNSHIP: April 2013 – September 2013 (Flexible)

LENGTH OF INTERNSHIP:  6 months

FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR THE INTERNSHIP:

US Internships: This is an unpaid internship

• Mercy Corps responsibilities

For the duration of this internship assignment, the intern will receive a workstation and computer.

• Intern responsibilities

Intern will remain responsible for all costs associated with living, transportation and parking.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Mercy Corps’ communications team heads up the agency’s media and community relations efforts. The Communications Team was established in 2003 to expand and improve the agency’s profile by offering the media information, access, and analysis in some of the world’s most newsworthy places. The team has since expanded that mission to include community outreach, agency-wide messaging and content generation.

With this strategy, Mercy Corps has become a major news and public information resource, giving our programs and issues greater positive visibility in specialty, regional, national and international media. Specifically the Communication Team aims to:

• Raise awareness of Mercy Corps as a global humanitarian agency;
• Position Mercy Corps as an innovative and trustworthy organization in order to attract maximum financial support from donors;
• Bring clarity and focus to issues important to our work;
• Support the public affairs team in creating a broader public commitment to responding to urgent humanitarian needs;
• Handle crisis communications incidents in a way that preserves Mercy Corps’ integrity and solid reputation.

The Communications Intern will work closely with Seattle-based Communications Team and with the broader agency to support day-to-day duties as well as execute a range of communications activities and special projects. The Intern will support the Communications Team in media outreach and messaging within the immediate Seattle community and in the greater field of international media.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
The Intern will:

• Gain experience and practical knowledge of communications strategy and methods within the context of an international NGO
• Gain practical experience in community media relations and with international media strategy
• Be practiced in monitoring media, broadcast, and social media coverage for a large international agency
• Learn to develop working relationships with members of the media and respond to media requests

DELIVERABLES: Candidate will work on projects such as the weekly media monitoring report, innovations twitter tracking, researching key topics/themes, basic story pitching, administrative duties.

Specific Responsibilities/Duties:

1. Conduct media coverage analyses on various topics/themes and support team on PR campaigns.
2. Survey, track and report trends in social media
3. Research and compile weekly media monitoring report
4. Research and create targeted list of bloggers for specific subjects based on shifting agency needs
5. Create and manage media contact lists
6. Research and compile major outlet editorial calendars
7. Administrative responsibilities including organizing team calls, providing team updates, etc.
8. Other duties as assigned

IDEAL CANDIDATE SHOULD POSSESS THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS:

• Current study, recent graduate or commensurate professional experience in the fields of communications and/or journalism
• Familiar with Public Relations and Media Relations strategies
• Comfort navigating and reporting on Social Media and Social Networking
• Strong background in media research, social media dexterity
• Excellent writing skills

LIVING CONDITIONS: N/A

Mercy Corps interns and volunteers represent the agency both during and outside of work hours and are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Job Location

Seattle, Washington, United States

Position Type

Intern 

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