Asia communications campaigner (Contractor)

We are seeking a part-time Communications Campaigner to coordinate and lead the communications work for our Asia program. This is a 20-hour-per-week contract with the potential to transition into a permanent staff position.

Oil Change International is a US-based NGO with over 43 staff in 14 countries around the globe. OCI has developed a strong reputation for producing cutting-edge, hard-hitting analysis to expose the true costs of fossil fuels and for coupling that analysis with innovative campaigns to shift the narrative and pressure decision-makers to stand up to the fossil fuel industry.

Our Asia team is focused on ending fossil fuel expansion in Asia and is working with the Fossil Free Japan coalition to pressure Japan to end its international public finance for fossil fuels. The Japanese government is one of the world’s top providers of international public finance for fossil fuels. Japan is driving gas and LNG expansion across Asia and globally. Japan’s signature initiative, the Asia Zero Emissions Community, threatens to derail the energy transition by encouraging governments in Asia to expand LNG/gas reliance and adopt other fossil-based technologies that will prolong the use of gas and coal. Japan is posing a direct threat to a just, rapid and equitable transition to renewables-based energy systems.

The Communications Campaigner will focus on developing and helping carry out our communications strategy with our small but mighty Asia program team. This will involve working with colleagues and our coalition partners to develop and carry out creative and impactful digital strategies to pressure our campaign targets and to engage movement allies. The Communications Campaigner will also work with colleagues to develop and carry out effective media strategies around key campaign moments, develop relationships with journalists, and secure coverage of our work in relevant news outlets.

The Communications Campaigner will work with our Asia Team, coordinate with the broader OCI Communications Team, and work with our coalition partners to make sure our research, campaigns, and messages reach key targets and audiences in our effort to keep fossil fuels in the ground and mitigate the climate crisis.

The ideal candidate will have experience developing and carrying out impactful digital strategies, writing blog and social media posts, managing complex projects, and working in a remote setting. We are also looking for candidates who have traditional media experience placing stories, writing press releases and developing and managing relationships with journalists.

Contractor will also receive paid time off in addition to the hourly rate that will be accrued monthly to ensure safe and healthy working conditions.

Working conditions

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This is a remote working position. Preferred geographic location between Indochina and Pacific time zones to facilitate collaboration with OCI Asia team members and partners.
• This is a 1 year contract to work 20 hours per week with the potential to be hired as a permanent employee.

Travel

Up to 4 weeks of travel should be expected throughout the course of this contract.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy development (20%)

• Work with the Asia Team and Communications Team to develop a cohesive communications strategy for our Asia work that helps us reach our targets and increase movement engagement;
• Work with Asia Team and Comms staff to develop talking points for key campaigns; and
• Engage with the broader Communications Team to make sure Asia Team priorities and needs are integrated into and aligned with OCI’s overall communications strategy.

Content creation & dissemination (40%)

• Create and commission compelling and impactful materials to reach target audiences by translating complicated materials into understandable, attention-grabbing, and energising content (this could include press releases, fact sheets, messaging guides, emails to supporters, blog posts, web content, ad-buys, social media content, graphics, videos, partner toolkits, opinion pieces, websites, and more);
• Ensure all content is aligned with campaign messaging and brand guidelines;
• Use OCI’s communications platforms to set up and send campaign-related press releases, supporter emails, and social media posts; and
• Analyze metrics and digital ad campaign performance to improve our strategies and campaigns.

Media outreach (20%)

• Collaborate with Communications Manager to develop and maintain international and regional press lists and journalist relationships relevant to Asia Team work; and
• Monitor media coverage and public narratives related to the Asia Team’s work and track media hits in a way that allows us to make informed decisions about how to adapt and improve our media work.

Partner engagement (10%)

• Coordinate and lend communications support to regional and local partners engaged in campaigns resisting fossil fuel infrastructure;
• Collaborate with communications-focused allies and partners in civil society networks to drive campaign visibility;
• Develop and maintain working relationships with ally and partner communicators;
• Identify opportunities for collaboration with key stakeholders and partners; and
• Provide communications support to partner organisations (as needed).

Administration (10%)

• Update and maintain quarterly and annual goals and individual work plans;
• Participate constructively in staff and team meetings;
• Coordinate messaging and activities with OCI’s cross-team Communications staff;
• Help maintain OCI’s shared calendar of upcoming projects and deadlines; and
• Respond to administrative requests in a timely and courteous manner, including submitting timesheets and expense reports by established deadlines.

Required qualifications, skills, and abilities:

• 3+ years experience developing digital strategies and carrying out effective digital campaigns.
• Experience developing communications materials - emails to supporters, social media posts, blogs.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communications skills and ability to translate complex information into easily digestible content.
• Commitment to the mission of Oil Change International, passion for advocacy and campaigning, and a collaborative, team-oriented work style.
• Sensitivity to issues of privilege, class, and race, and dedication to incorporating principles of justice into organisational work and alignment with OCI’s values.

Desired qualifications, skills, and abilities:

• Traditional media experience including developing communication strategies, pitching stories to media, writing press releases.
• Experience engaging and working with international and Asian regional media.
• Experience working at a climate, environment, or social justice oriented non-profit.
• Experience working with coalitions and coordinating with civil society partners.
• Familiarity with climate and energy policy.

About Oil Change International

Oil Change International is a non-profit organisation that campaigns to expose the true costs of fossil fuels and facilitate the coming transition towards clean energy. We’re a small, gutsy group that wages hard-hitting campaigns, grounded in solid and credible research, to push the energy industry towards an environmentally and socially sustainable future. We work together with a broad network of allies, in the United States and globally, that are committed to identifying and overcoming political barriers to a clean energy transition and shifting the balance of power in the energy industry.

Founded in 2005, Oil Change International now has a creative, passionate and dedicated staff of forty across 14 countries and a supporter base of hundreds of thousands. Known both for our credible, insightful research on the fossil fuel industry and our aggressive nonviolent campaign tactics, Oil Change is a talented group that continues to punch above its weight.