National Audubon society’s (NAS) International Alliances Program presently works in eight countries in the Caribbean and Latin America focused on improving the conservation of habitat in key Important Bird Areas (IBA’s). To achieve enduring concrete results, IAP builds strong and effective partnerships with local conservation organizations and supports them in taking concrete on-the-ground conservation actions. Our work in these countries includes institutional strengthening, bird-based science, sustainable economic activities, community engagement, education, advocacy and high-level policy development to help achieve conservation success in the region.
The writer will work with the IAP team by taking primary responsibility for writing and editing short concepts (two to three pages), web content and other communication pieces that describe specific aspects of Audubon’s international work; reports for public and foundation funded projects; and proposals to individuals, foundations and government funders.
He or she will work closely with IAP, Philanthropy and Content staff, and partner staff, to develop high quality and audience appropriate information that accurately describes the work of IAP. The Development Writer will be supervised by the Director for IAP and will coordinate closely with the Program staff in developing and editing the information described above.
This contract position is not full time and will require flexibility to be able to write key pieces of information as needs arise within IAP. There is no specific location requirement for this contract, however, proximity to Audubon’s office in Washington, DC would provide for more direct contact with staff.
SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES
Develop and prepare materials including program summaries, strategy and project descriptions, presentations, fact sheets and other materials as needed for donors and other audiences.
Write and edit reports for public and foundation donors and help develop alerts/updates on project results and other newsworthy events.
Develop grant proposals for foundations, public funders, corporations and individuals.
Coordinate closely with the content team, layout designers and others when needed to deliver final products.
Coordinate contributions from IAP staff and partners and ensure that each individual delivers necessary contributions on time in order to create a strong final product.
Depending on location, there may be the opportunity for in person meetings on specific written material.
PRODUCTS
Concise well written on-time products geared towards different audiences.
Each product should be able to highlight the different aspects of the IAP program and in the case of proposals, be able to clearly define our work and results.
DURATION OF CONTRACT
Initial period from March 1, 2015 to August 31, 2015, with the potential for extension.
RELATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The contractor will be responsible for maintaining efficient and consistent communications with the staff needed to provide input for the assigned written products in a timely manner. Specifically, the contractor will:
Coordinate closely and directly with the VP of IAP to establish a time table for certain products and to check in periodically on the development of written products.
Coordinate closely with members of the IAP staff, who s/he will be coordinating individual on specific writing assignments.
Coordinate closely with in-country partners and others identified by the IAP team in order to receive input needed for developing certain written materials.
Communicate with the content and philanthropy team depending on written products that may be coordinated with them.
PAYMENT METHOD
Payments will be made based on the successful completion of each product solicited, to the satisfaction of Audubon for a standard fee to be negotiated at time of contract signing.
CONSULTANT QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree in journalism, liberal arts, social science, nonprofit management or related field.
Two or more years of professional writing experience, with demonstrated ability to translate verbal communications and technical information into clear, compelling prose.
Understanding and experience writing about, nature, the environment, conservation or the outdoors a plus.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills; experience working both independently and in team-based settings.
Solid organizational skills and history of working in fast-paced and deadline-based environments.
Proficient with MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Experience with Adobe publisher and illustrator a plus.
Flexible work approach.
Ability to read and understand Spanish in order to translate it into English preferred.
How to apply
Interested individuals/institutions should send a letter of interest that describes their qualifications for the consultancy, a short, original, one page or less writing sample and proposed fee(s) to: iapconsultancy@audubon.org.