Social Media Specialist

Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) invites applications for a Social Media Specialist to join our dedicated and talented Communications team in our mission to create business solutions to poverty!

MEDA’s work is built on a foundation of Mennonite business roots and faith-based values, within the global context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We believe business solutions are effective interventions to address poverty. Through a market-systems approach and strategic partnerships, MEDA enables access to finance and provides business and technical expertise to build transformative agri-food market systems that create decent jobs, allowing traditionally excluded groups to become active participants in a sustainable economy. MEDA welcomes all who share our values and want to join us in our mission. To find out more about MEDA, please visit our website at www.meda.org. 

Position Summary

The Social Media Specialist is a creative position within the Strategy, Communications and Impact team at MEDA, working closely with staff in all departments and countries to create original content. They will develop and distribute content to various MEDA audiences across all digital channels, including web and social media, to promote MEDA’s expertise, impact, and leadership.

First and foremost, the successful candidate will be experienced at creating engaging social media content such as videos, slideshows, simple graphics and other assets in alignment with the organization’s stylebook using design software such as Adobe Creative Suite. Versatile design skills are essential. The content created must bolster brand awareness, increase audience engagement, and build excitement for MEDA’s work among public audiences and select stakeholders.

The Social Media Specialist will also have a passion for engaging and growing audiences and pursuing community-building strategies using a suite of digital tools and tactics. Their successful implementation of the objectives of this role will contribute to the organization’s mission to create decent work for hundreds of thousands of people in the Global South.

Embracing MEDA’s goal of creating business solutions to poverty is essential. Experience with an international NGO is a plus but not a prerequisite.

• Job Status: Full-Time
• Start Date: February 2025
• Location: Hybrid/Remote within Canada or the United States
• Annual Salary Range:
  • Canadian-based employee: CAD $65,300 - 72,550
  • US-based employee: USD $68,565 - 76,178

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Content Planning, Creation and Organization (70%)

• Support the execution of the organization’s communications strategy in consultation with the Senior Director, Integrated Communications
• Coordinate content creation and distribution across multiple platforms including social media, website pages, videos, and branded MEDA emails that highlight MEDA’s expertise and impact
• Prepare social media packs and assets for partners and allies to use in social media channels and campaigns
• Contribute to and oversee MEDA’s social media strategy. Includes day-to-day management and implementation of marketing campaigns for all MEDA social media accounts
• Help plan and organize the weekly, monthly, and annual social media content calendar, including relevant global social campaigns, international holidays, commemorative days, and international observances
• Design visual assets for use in social media including photo visuals, short videos, slideshows, GIFs, and interactive stories, in collaboration with Sr. Designer, Graphics as needed
• Collect, edit, and publish success stories and blog articles on the MEDA website using our CMS. Coordinate publishing schedule to align with strategy, collaborating with staff (including international MEDA personnel) to solicit source content in a timely manner
• Assist in the research, development and posting of website copy, blogs, and video scripts
• Provide guidance on blogging, photography, and videography best practices with global staff as part of a Communications Community of Practice
• Collect, monitor, and analyze social metrics, perform competitor analysis, and make suggestions and improvements accordingly

Thought leadership and Positioning (15%)

• Ensure MEDA’s brand and voice are appropriately promoted in all digital content and social channels. Actively engage with relevant online communities and stakeholder accounts as related to MEDA’s areas of expertise and focus
• Suggest topics and themes for MEDA to engage with to support wider communications goals
• Promote MEDA and MEDA staff as leaders in the international economic development field through the marketing of conferences, panels, learning series documents, white papers, and news articles
• Contribute to the writing, list-building, and designing of branded email communications including dissemination of promotional materials, events, newsletters
• Responsible to coordinate and plan, research, edit, and write content for MEDA’s monthly MEDAzine newsletter, in collaboration with the communications team
• Monitor MEDA media mentions and relevant sectoral news using Cision, and curate weekly top news email to MEDA staff

General Communications Support (15%)

• Maintain portfolio and client stories, including Story Content Tracker and help maintain MEDA’s photography database
• Contribute to the oversight and management of MEDA’s brand and branding standards
• Provide website content updates and support to web designer as requested
• Observe organizational guidelines, select appropriate and dynamic images for website
• Contribute to efforts to grow the organization donor base

Any other duties and/or requirements as assigned

REQUIREMENTS

Education: University degree in communications, marketing, journalism, fundraising, business or related field

Experience: Minimum of four years' work experience in communications, marketing, fundraising or a related field

Additional Qualifications:

• Appreciation and support of MEDA’s mission, vision and values

• Understanding and appreciation of business principles, international development, and MEDA’s approach of creating business solutions to poverty

• Familiarity with bi and multi-lateral governmental agencies, donors, non-governmental organizations and other development agencies

• Experience with social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram, particularly SEO and social media marketing

• Demonstrated ability to create short, engaging social media content such as text-based videos, slide shows, simple graphics using the company stylebook and Canva or equivalent offline design software.

• Experience writing content for various platforms, including websites, newsletters, blogs, etc, with strong written communication skills.

• Must be able to manage competing priorities, communicate with various project stakeholders, and independently meet deadlines.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Applications, website content management systems, and familiarity with project planning software such as Asana. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite is an asset

• Willingness to undertake international travel

MEDA is an equal opportunity employer and accommodations are available during all phases of the recruitment process. We ask that any applicants requiring accommodation make their needs known in advance.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Monday, January 20, 2025