Executive Writer

Background

External communications by IDLO’s Director-General is a critical channel to help IDLO communicate its strategic goals, raise the organization’s profile, influence policy, engage stakeholders, mobilize resources and communicate with staff.

An outstanding writer to provide communications support to the Director-General is a vital part of amplifying IDLO’s thought leadership and elevating the Organisation’s profile in global dialogues on rule of law and access to justice, SDG 16, Agenda 2030 and other priority areas.

The Executive Writer is responsible for developing high-impact communications for the Director-General. This position requires strategic thinking, political judgment and intense intellectual curiosity and rigor, with the ability to write punchy, creatively expressed, thought-provoking materials on a variety of topics in a range of formats under pressure and tight deadlines.

The Executive Writer will report to the Special Assistant to the Director-General.

THE ASSIGNMENT AND DELIVERABLES

Working with the Director-General and her Office as well as other relevant colleagues within IDLO the Executive writer will deliver:

• English-language articles, think pieces, speeches, statements, quotes for social media, and other writing for the Director-General, consistently producing high quality, engaging prose well-tailored for appropriate audiences and platforms and consistently reflecting the voice, tone, style and views of the Director-General and adapting style and tone to suit different specialized and general audiences.
• Monitor, research and critically analyze current and emerging global policy and cultural trends and issues; undertake original research on a range of development topics as needed as well as soliciting inputs from across the organization.
• Analyze complex information, including statistics, financial information and other qualitative and quantitative data; deploy data strategically and compellingly; present data in succinct and persuasive text.
• Coordinate with the Director General’s Office and other relevant Departments to extract key messages from the Director-General’s statements, articles and other written material for IDLO’s Communications to amplify through multiple channels including digital, social media, media pitching and other platforms, with accuracy and consistency in messaging and voice of the Director-General across all content.
• Other relevant assignments as may be requested by the supervisor.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

Education:

• Graduate degree in communications, journalism or another relevant field.

Experience:

• At least five years of relevant post-graduate writing experience on issues including on advocacy, law, government, journalism, criticism, speechwriting, blogging, opinion pieces and/or other formats or contexts.
• Demonstrated experience of speechwriting for senior executives operating in an international environment.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex and technical messages into plain language for audience appeal and impact.
• Demonstrated track record of performing well under pressure and adhering to strict deadlines while maintaining a sophisticated understanding of organizational and external context
• General understanding of geopolitics and international affairs, as well as interest in human development, rule of law poverty, environment, human rights and other related issues,
• Excellent judgment and strong people skills.

Languages

• Excellent spoken and written English is required. Additional language/s would be highly desirable.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

For this internationally recruited consultancy, IDLO shall offer the selected candidate a Single Engagement Contract until 31 December 2020, with possibility of extension subject to performance and availability of funding. This consultancy will be based in Rome, but a remote working arrangement may be considered. A roundtrip flight ticket to Rome will be provided, subject to the circumstances such as prevailing security and/or travel restrictions that may be imposed in light of the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic as well as in accordance with IDLO’s travel policy. This consultancy is expected to start by September 2020 or as soon as possible.

IDLO shall offer the eligible candidate a fixed lump sum fees of EUR 5,000. - per month.

IDLO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in all areas of its operations. We welcome and encourage diverse applications.

DISCLAIMER

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the Consultant assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities.

The Director-General of IDLO reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities or even to cancel the recruitment to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.