Policy & Communications Associate

About the role

The Development Innovation Lab at the University of Chicago uses the tools of economics to develop innovations with the potential to benefit millions of people in low- and middle-income countries. It was founded and is led by Nobel laureate Michael Kremer.

Responsibilities

• Updates content on the DIL website on a regular basis to ensure information is precise, accurate, current, well-organized, optimized for user experience, and compelling to target audiences, including policymakers, partners, donors, and other stakeholders.
• Plans and drafts regular social media posts aligned with new research results, project updates, and evolving organizational priorities, primarily on LinkedIn and X.
• Identifies and executes creative ways to highlight students, staff, and alumni on digital channels.
• Develops and tracks communications metrics to quantify website and social media reach and engagement and inform recommendations for improvement.
• Boosts DIL participation in external events by coordinating, creating and disseminating event-related content, including through press releases, multimedia, and social media.
• Supports field teams to engage local photographers and ensure regular production of visual content.
• Writes and edits content that translates complex research into engaging, plain-language summaries suitable for broad audiences on DIL’s website, social media platforms, and targeted emails, in collaboration with internal subject matter experts.
• Supports the creation of funding pitch decks, donor communications, reports, and other projects as assigned.
• Strengthens internal communications templates, guidelines, and trainings to equip staff members with tools for effective communications and audience engagement, in coordination with DIL leadership.
• Collaborates with recruitment managers to ensure job postings are disseminated widely to relevant audiences.
• Collaborates with staff across international locations to hire and manage freelance photographers as needed; organizes and maintains an internal digital photo library showcasing DIL’s research and policy work.
• Supports administration of communications contracts for web development, graphic design, photography, and other work as needed.
• Collaborates with internal subject matter experts to understand key communications goals and needs, coordinate with leadership to align goals across teams, and create internal resources to meet team needs.
• Helps build a proactive media engagement strategy aligned with current events, in coordination with senior leadership.
• Plans, develops and disseminates information designed to keep the public informed of the organization's programs, accomplishments, or point of view, with moderate levels of guidance and direction.
• Continues to build higher level knowledge of the University, processes and customers.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Requirements

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field. Knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline are preferred. Education: Bachelors degree. Experience: Demonstrated experience communicating complex research findings and policy recommendations. Candidates may be recent graduates with related internships, or with past experience in communications, research, and/or international development. Masters degree in economics, public policy, communications, journalism or a related field is preferred. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Familiarity with design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite) and content management systems (e.g., WordPress) is preferred. Coursework in economics and/or demonstrated success communicating evidence-based policy. Intermediate-level training in economics and/or public policy (econometrics, statistics, quantitative analysis training) is preferred. Experience translating complex research into plain-language content for a mainstream policy audience is preferred.

Qualifications

Strong organization skills with high attention to detail. Ability to work on and prioritize multiple tasks. Ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines.

Skills

Strong project management, writing, and editing skills. Strong interest in DIL’s mission. Comfort using website/social media analytics to shape, refine approach.

Benefits

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Pay

$63,426.00 - $82,080.00

Schedule

This is a hybrid position with at least expected three days in-person per week. Candidates must be willing to travel flexibly as needed for their respective responsibilities.