Communications Officer
Requirements
- Minimum of 13-month commitment
- Enjoys working with kids.
- 21 years or older
- Fluent in English and proficient in spoken Spanish/or Creole (for Haiti)
- Intermediate computer skills
- Basic administrative skills
- Well organized, with the ability to manage multiple projects
- Experience in journalism and photography skills are desirable
- Knowledge of social media and experience with blogging/Facebook
Overview
The main task of the Communication Officer (CO) is to provide the public, NPH International and the fundraisers in the United States and Europe with any required information. In some homes, the volunteer will fill the assistant to the Communication Officer role and provide support so that the Communications team accomplishes the following: the NPH home´s annual country report, quarterly home updates, social media, website articles, calendar updates, specific information requests, NPH Wiki content management, directory updates and photos.
In some homes, the volunteer will fill the assistant to the Communication Officer role.
The CO needs the necessary skills to operate the NPHI Intranet and NPH internal Wiki, intermediate computer skills, solid English writing ability and native country language skills (Spanish or Creole). Experience in journalism and photography is an advantage, as is some graphic design experience and knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite.
The CO is a required position in every NPH home. The position is required by the fundraisers and NPH International to invest in the responsibility for information dissemination on a timely and regular basis. This information is critical for the fundraisers who provide the resources necessary for operations. Systems have been created to monitor the completion of these requirements.
The CO is also the photojournalist of the home, documenting all home events, including graduations, public relation events, holidays (Easter, Christmas, New Year's), special days (Visitors' Day, Quinceañeras, baptisms, First Holy Communions, retreats, etc.). The CO also may periodically accompany the home’s Social Worker to report on where our children come from.
The CO is responsible for uploading recent photos of all categories to the Photo Gallery on the NPHI Intranet, writing photo captions and publishing the best photos to the website. The CO manages the content for the home’s space on the NPH Wiki, which includes information about the home’s property, programs, education and more. This information should be regularly updated and accurate.
The CO will also receive detailed information requests from the fundraisers throughout the year and is expected to respond in a timely manner and will typically be working to meet a deadline. Often the request for information, statistics and accompanying photos is urgent. The CO will be the primary contact for the fundraisers in each individual home and it is the responsibility of the CO to obtain the information or work together with the appropriate staff to acquire it.
Other Responsibilities
Each volunteer chooses an hogar (group of children of the same age living together) at the beginning of their year. Each home’s Volunteer Coordinator will communicate the expectations for hogar time. Usually, it is six days a week, 6 to 8 p.m., but this might vary per home. This has been described as the most fulfilling part of volunteering, the bond and relationships formed with their hogar of children.
Volunteers have every other weekend off, as well as up to 22 days of vacation time after four months of service. Vacation must be arranged according to the specific home’s policies.
NPH Volunteers must be at least 21 years old and commit for a year. All NPH volunteers receive room and board, access to medical care, and a modest monthly stipend. NPH USA pays for health insurance (up to $500/year). Volunteers are responsible for paying their transportation to and from the country where they will serve, as well as any pre-trip expenses like vaccines and language school (if needed).
For more information, please write to the Director of International Engagement, Dr. Jennifer Foster, at jafoster@nphusa.org.