Grant Writer and Communication Specialist

The Salvation Army; Winnipeg; On-site; CAD 56,000; Full time

Job summary

A charitable organization in Winnipeg seeks a Communications Officer to develop communication strategies and manage social media accounts. The ideal candidate will have a diploma in Journalism or Communications, with three years of related experience and excellent project coordination skills. The target hiring range is approximately $36,984.84 to $46,231.04 annually, with opportunities for growth.

Qualifications

• Three years of related communications/web/social media experience.
• Ability to quickly learn new applications.
• Familiarity with The Salvation Army is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Develop communication plans for strategic initiatives.
• Manage departmental social media accounts.
• Draft content for e-newsletters and the website.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Project coordination

Graphic editing

Social media management

Education

Post-secondary/college diploma in Journalism or Communications

Tools

Microsoft Office

WordPress

Hootsuite

Adobe Creative Cloud

Job description

Overview

Who We Are
For more than 130 years, The Salvation Army has served people in need in communities across Canada and Bermuda. Building on our roots as a world-wide Christian church, each year we help more than 2 million people, providing necessities such as food, clothing and shelter. In addition, we support people experiencing unemployment, addiction and family challenges. We continually adapt and innovate to meet emerging needs and live out our mission, vision and values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship. As a faith- and values-based organization, we hire and serve people of all backgrounds and walks of life - there is a place for everyone to belong here.

Mission Statement
The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

Job Description

POSITION PURPOSE SUMMARY
The role contributes to the development of communication plans for strategic initiatives and for the day-to-day implementation of selected communication activities, including coordination with various clients, writing of articles and stories, generating creative content and developing and maintaining website and social media content.

ACCOUNTABILITIES
The incumbent may perform all, some, or similar range of duties.

• Communications: Understand the role of different media options and their impact on achieving marketing objectives, and contribute to and execute tactical media and creative plans.
• Support and enhance communication efforts to promote and strengthen access to resources to enhance mission delivery.
• Distribute creative assets to other units accordingly based on approved strategy.
• Network with department personnel and others to identify and coordinate information dissemination.
• Participate in development and sharing of tools and tactics that can be used both at ministry units as well as at divisional levels to enhance mission delivery.

• Projects and Reports: In support of the department, assist in the preparation and design of content for the Annual Corps Review.
• Coordinate and implement the process for corps to complete the Annual Review process, facilitate completion of the required steps using approved form software.
• Participate in development of comprehensive reports to provide Annual Review results to divisional and territorial leaders.
• Conduct research for the purposes of supporting various departments.
• Point of contact and develop relationships with all levels of educational institutions to handle requests for research projects.
• Creatively employ techniques, standards, and best practices to guide storytelling, monitor consistency, relevancy, and technical quality of finished production.
• Participate in communications team planning and project management activities.

• E-Newsletters and Website Management: Draft written content for the website and e-newsletters that focus on awareness of territorial resources and strategies for mission delivery.
• Identity and curate photos, graphics, or videos to include in designs.
• Develop a calendar for e-newsletters and website blog items throughout the year, with a regular monthly email distribution.
• Determine appropriate fields of data for collection and analyze to determine effectiveness of email strategy (i.e., brand awareness).

• Social Media: Manage the departmental social media accounts which are targeted towards reaching those delivering front line ministry and mission. Provide day-to-day operations to promote engagement with the corps officers and respond to queries about our work.
• Assist with the development of a content calendar that outlines important themes and dates to post to platforms.
• Post updates regularly to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn in line with the content calendar and as appropriate to other accounts.
• Ensure that we promote other relevant departmental information (MAGA, C&Y, Spiritual Life, Salvationist).
• Research new processes and technologies and develop understanding of targeted demographics to improve efficiency and meet industry best practices.
• Monitor and track monthly statistics and changes and provide reports that outline both quantitative and qualitative results to leadership.
• Maintain and design social media pages for both organic and paid ads (Facebook, Google, YouTube) through media agency.
• Participate in departmental team planning and project management activities.
• Ensure all legal requirements and identity standards relating to social media are met (closed captioning).

• Creative Content Design: Support departmental efforts and campaigns through creation of media resources.
• Provide photographic skill and editing to enhance promotion and event coverage.
• Support team members on projects through all stages to meet established timelines, ensuring all media resources adhere to the organization’s official brand guidelines.

Performs other work-related duties as assigned.

Critical Relationship Management

Internal: Mu(s)/facility leadership team and staff, DHQ, THQ
External: Account managers for social media platforms, corporate staff for promotional items, media

Managerial/Technical Responsibilities

Reports directly to the _____.
Direct reports: none.

Financial and Material Management

• Minor material responsibility (brochures, proper use of software).
• Uses or maintains organization assets in accordance with established guidelines.
• Does not process any financial transactions with no budget responsibilities.

The above responsibilities must be discharged in accordance with The Salvation Army’s Mission Statement, in a professional manner, upholding our code of conduct.

Working Conditions

Work is typically in an office environment.

Education, Experience and Qualifications

Willingness to develop an understanding and support for the mission and purpose of The Salvation Army in Canada and its implications as related to position responsibilities.
Work in compliance with OH&S Act and Regulations and abide by The Salvation Army’s health and safety policies and procedures.
Alternative combination of education and experience may be considered.

Education, Qualifications and Certifications
Completion of a formal post-secondary/college diploma program of three academic years in Journalism, Communications, or other related discipline.

Experience and Knowledge
Three years of related communications/web/socialmedia experience in an organizational setting.
Ability to use different types of software including graphic editing, form building, data management.
Excellent working knowledge and experience in various software and reporting tools such as Microsoft Office, WordPress, Hootsuite, and an ability to quickly learn new applications.
Knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud applications preferred (InDesign, Photoshop, Premiere, and ability to learn new applications quickly).

Skills and Capabilities
Valid driver’s license and clear driver’s abstract is required; personal vehicle may be required for some roles.
Demonstrate a high level of integrity, good judgment, and ability to maintain appropriate confidentiality.
Excellent communication skills (written and verbal).
Excellent use of English (or French) language and writing for print and online applications.
Self-motivated and disciplined.
Demonstrates excellent organizational, communication and marketing skills.
Outstanding time management skills and attention to detail.
Excellent project coordination skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities as required.
Ability to work effectively in a team environment to meet tight deadlines.
Positive, enthusiastic, solution-focused and will take initiative.
Familiarity with The Salvation Army is an asset.
Flexibility to work outside regular business hours and availability on short notice to address website/social media issues if they arise.

Compensation

The target hiring range for this position is $36,984.84 to $46,231.04 with a maximum of $55,477.25. Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role.

The Salvation Army will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please email [e-mail] if you have a need for any accommodation and we will be pleased to discuss this with you.