The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies (Arava Institute) is on of the leading academic program and research institutes in the Middle East, preparing young leaders from around the world to cooperatively solve the region’s trans-boundary environmental challenges. The Arava Institute’s academic programs are accredited by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Located on Kibbutz Ketura in the Arava Valley near Eilat, the Institute offers the only program for students of all nationalities, including Israelis, Palestinians, and Jordanians, to study and live together in a unique desert environment.
The Friends of the Arava Institute (FAI) is a US registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Its mission is to support the critical work of the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies through public awareness, student recruitment, alumni relations and fundraising campaigns.
Israel Ride Communications Associate
The Friends of the Arava Institute, Hazon and the Jewish National Fund partner each year to execute The Israel Ride. This peer-to-peer cycling fundraiser is one of the largest sources of funding for the Arava Institute, providing critical support to the Institute’s scholarship fund and alumni programs. The Israel Ride includes five days of biking, with route options for recreational riders and experienced cyclists, and a day off for Shabbat.
The Friends of the Arava (FAI) Institute serves as the fiscal sponsor for the Israel Ride, overseeing financial management and partnership relations. FAI also provides fundraising and communication support for the Israel Ride. As the Israel Ride has experienced significant growth over the last two years, FAI seeks to build on this success by focusing on the professional development of the Israel Ride’s communications, recruitment and alumni relations programming. This is an exciting opportunity for an individual with an entrepreneurial spirit to join a dedicated team and pioneer a new role with significant growth potential.
Reporting to the Associate Director for Marketing & Communications, the Communications Associate focuses his/her energies on developing and implementing a comprehensive communications plan that will deepen the engagement of Israel Ride stakeholders, including ride partners, current year riders, ride donors, ride alumni, and board members both in the US and in Israel.
This is a full time exempt position requiring evening and weekend availability during peak periods, and periodic travel to attend regional meetings up to 25% time.
Core Responsibilities
Communications & Online Marketing
Project manage and implement the annual communications strategy and marketing plan.
Ensure brand integrity and alignment on messaging between all ride stakeholders.
Develop a comprehensive social media plan, focused on enhancing and supporting the brand of the Israel Ride for increased rider engagement, rider recruitment and ride alumni relations.
Collaborate with the Arava Institute in Israel and Hazon in New York on regular basis.
Manage the www.israelride.org website and coordinate content updates.
Coordinate with all Israel Ride partners to develop compelling content for online and email driven campaigns, newsletters and audience specific updates.
Implement and coordinate the annual rider webinar series with the Hazon staff.
Support Hazon staff with participant emails, including calendar management, editing support, and key messaging consistency.
Work with the FAI development team to design and implement rider-centered fundraising support efforts and enhance fundraising tools.
Video, Collateral & Print Publications
In partnership with the National Executive Director and Hazon develop concepts for all printed promotional materials and publications to ensure that they align with the communications plan, conform to organizational style guidelines, and meet audience specific objectives.
As needed serve as in-house graphic designer, creating supplemental marketing materials, flyers, posters, templates, reports, and presentations.
Work with appropriate vendors to develop documentary video clips of various lengths for an updated YouTube channel, the web site, and for other uses.
Collaborate with Hazon regarding the design and production of store items.
Manage and evaluate communications vendors and service providers.
Recruitment Events & Alumni Relations
Develop and oversee the Israel Ride recruitment events and information session timelines, working with Israel Ride Chairs, FAI board members, Hazon staff, JNF representatives, and ride alumni to develop and deploy talent and staff to these public speaking assignments.
Function as the primary contact for alumni scheduling and recruitment programming.
Ensure appropriate and timely follow up with all events and recruitment prospects, directly supporting host outreach, Hazon call schedules, and coordinating FAI board members.
Staff the Marketing Committee for the Israel Ride, coordinate with chair(s) the agenda, send notices and reminders, take meeting minutes, and ensure follow up to all committee actions.
Reporting
Design and manage a results oriented reporting schedule to demonstrate the effectiveness of and progress towards communications and marketing plan objectives.
Manage, update, and improve the organization’s cloud database of electronic communications collateral, interview and image libraries, and collateral templates for the Israel Ride.
On the Israel Ride
Attend the Israel Ride each year and serve as a support staff member and crew person.
On the Israel Ride run the communications center each evening, preparing blog templates, rider email templates, and real-time social media updates from the road.
Take photo, video and written testimonials for constant refreshing of the web site and for marketing campaigns.
Manage photographers on the Israel Ride, including coaching on messaging goals, story boarding and messaging goals.
Support customer service staff with rider and alumni relations.
Qualifications
Commitment to the vision and mission of the organization
At least 2 years in a professional communications role
An entrepreneurial individual, who is willing to go above and beyond to pioneer new initiatives, systems and processes
High energy, results oriented individual with keen customer service skills
Project management experience
Understanding and experience with current email marketing technologies and social media tools
Demonstrated excellence in writing and editing
Web site management experience, perferrably in wordpress platforms
Tech savvy individual who enjoys problem-solving
An eye for graphic design and communications best-practices
Basic experience with Adobe Creative Suite and/or other graphic design software
Executive support experience preferred
Board experience preferred
Nonprofit experience preferred
Cycling interest a plus
How to apply
Please send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample by May 1, 2015 to Branwen Cale, National Executive Director, at jobs@friendsofarava.org