The Communication Specialist is responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive communications and community engagement plans for AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) policy and housing team and initiatives. The position will design and drive AFC's policy and housing communications and public information strategies through digital, print, mobile and media. The Communication Specialist will develop and articulate common themes and messages regarding AFC's legislative priorities.

The salary range for this role is $50,000 to $57,000.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Communications coordination and project management

• Coordinate communication priorities for AFC's policy and housing teams and projects and coalitions

• Maintain social and mobile channels for the Policy and Housing department, projects and coalitions including but not limited to the Mobile Action Network, Pride Action Tank, Getting to Zero-Illinois

• Maintain create and update AFC public statement guidelines and publications

• Use digital, print, and mobile-based communications to communicate and mobilize advocates

• Provide logistical and technical assistance for in-person and virtual initiatives for all policy and housing engagements

Content creation

• Collaborate with internal team and external stakeholders to develop mixed method communication strategies

• Draft and retrieve edits and approvals of policy and advocacy statements, publications, presentations and other communications such as reports, presentations and press releases

• Learn and establish best practices in utilizing social media business tools and social media marketing

• Collaborate with Policy and Housing teams use email and mobile-first communications tools to engage and mobilized with communities AFC prioritizes and develop feature stories about advocates

• Provide style and copy-editing support to Policy and Advocacy teams

• Work in collaboration with Communication Manager and Communication team to create campaign collateral or content for Policy and Advocacy key awareness day and events including but not limited to Illinois' HIV Advocacy Day

Assessment and insights

• Develop and track metrics that support the goals of AFC policy and advocacy teams and initiatives

• Support the development of strategies to expand departmental practice of mobile services and communications

Other

• Research and understand policy priorities and project goals

• Support emergency, on-the-ground, and in community -policy and advocacy events and actions that may occasionally take place outside of Chicago and outside of regular business hours

• Provide communication support and service with department and agency-wide activities as directed, including Advocacy Days Annual Meeting, AIDS Run/ Walk Chicago, Team to End AIDS, World of Chocolate, and others

• Assist with other AFC activities as requested

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Minimum Qualifications

• 1 to 2 years of communications experience for an advocacy or public health organization or history of using communications tools such as social media, audio or photography to mobilize communities.

• 1 to 2 years of communications experience at a public health organization or working for a direct advocacy campaign

• A history of using communications tools such as social media, video/audio or photography for news or storytelling.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, public health or public policy or related field

• 2 or more years of experience writing or contributing to publications, developing social marketing campaigns or translating data into storytelling

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects, establish workload priorities, and meet deadlines are critical

• Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to work with diverse populations

• Proven educational achievement

• Demonstrable initiative, creativity, and flexibility

• Ability to work independently and effectively in groups

• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

None

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work environment is representative of that found in a general office environment. Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (20-25 pounds.) Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.