Communications Assistant (International Team)

The Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) has an immediate opening for a Communications Assistant (International Program). This is a full-time position with a preference for Washington, DC-based candidates; we will consider a fully remote position for strong candidates outside the area.

Job Description: The Communications Assistant will support the international team’s communications work in all areas. This will include, but not be limited to, helping develop press plans, drafting press releases, identifying reporters and outlets for outreach, and administrative tasks related to CEPR team members’ interviews. The Communications Assistant will also be responsible for helping to maintain and grow CEPR’s presence on a variety of social media platforms and its email list.

Duties:

• Assist with the development of messaging on CEPR’s policy issues.
• Assist with pitching reporters.
• Assist with press releases.
• Assist with pitching op-eds for publication.
• Research new media outlets and programs for pitching.
• Assist with following journalists covering relevant topics.
• Update contacts in Cision.
• Develop and execute strategies to grow and maintain email subscribers.
• Assist with editing as needed.
• Respond to media requests when needed.
• Draft and post to social media when needed.
• Update CEPR website when needed.
• Assist with drafting and releasing biweekly newsletter.

Qualifications:

• Successful candidates will possess a bachelor’s degree and/or one to three years of relevant experience, as well as an interest in economic justice.
• Able to work in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.
• Excellent writing and communications skills are essential.
• Attention to detail, and high level of organization.
• A general understanding of, or interest in, economics and foreign policy, and a commitment to economic justice.
• Familiarity with policy debates regarding topics such as IMF policies, US-Latin American relations, trade policy, and other topics is a plus.
• Applicants affected by issues that CEPR works on are especially encouraged to apply.
• Spanish language fluency is a plus.

Salary & Benefits: CEPR offers a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package. The minimum starting salary, according to CEPR’s union contract, is $57,854 annually; the actual salary can be higher depending on experience and qualifications. This position will be represented by the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU).

Closing Date of Position: October 27^th, 2023 (at 11:59 PM, Eastern time). 

In rare, extenuating circumstances, the application period may be extended or shortened. In the event that the application period is shortened, CEPR will update this posting to notify candidates that they have seven calendar days remaining to apply.

To Apply: Submit the following in a single PDF file with the document title “(Full Name)_(Job Title)_Application” via CEPR’s ONLINE APPLICATION:

1. a cover letter;
2. a résumé; and
3. 1,000 word writing sample on one of the following:
   1. an economic issue facing a country in Latin America or a developing country
   2. the effect of an IMF policy on a developing country
4. A description of a communications project you have completed independently at another organization.

Please do not use ChatGPT in writing responses and do not submit additional information apart from the items listed above. CEPR may check writing samples for use of ChatGPT or other AI use.  If you wish, you may address your cover letter to the International Program Communications Assistant Search Committee.

Search committees usually contact candidates for interviews within three weeks of the deadline of the application. If you have any questions, please email apply[at]cepr.net, the contact for the International Program Communications Associate Search Committee. Absolutely no calls, faxes, or additional emails, please.

Organization Description:  CEPR was established in 1999 to promote democratic debate on the most critical economic and social issues that affect people’s lives. For citizens to effectively exercise their voices in a democracy, they must be informed about the problems and choices that they face. An informed public should then be able to choose policies that lead to improving the quality of life for people within the United States and around the world.

Toward this end, CEPR conducts professional research and public education so that the public is better prepared to choose among the various policy options. Professional research is oriented toward filling important gaps in understanding particular economic and social problems or the impact of specific policies, both domestically and globally. The public education portion of CEPR’s mission is to present the findings of professional research, both by CEPR and others, in a manner that allows broad segments of the public to know precisely what is at stake in major policy debates. As part of its public education initiative, CEPR utilizes research findings and analysis to challenge the myths, assumptions, policies, and institutions that perpetuate economic and social inequality.

CEPR’s founding scholars include Dean Baker, Mark Weisbrot, and Robert Pollin, Professor of Economics, University of Massachusetts.  Our Advisory Board includes Nobel Laureate economists Robert Solow and Joseph Stiglitz; Janet Gornick, Professor at the CUNY Graduate School and Director of the Luxembourg Income Study; and Richard Freeman, Professor of Economics at Harvard University.

CEPR is an equal opportunity employer that considers applicants for all positions regardless of race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any legally protected status. Women and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply.