Job Description

Position: Program Manager, Strategic Communications 

About Us

Foundation for Economic Development (FED) is a Delhi-based non-profit organisation that aims to bring about a sustained and broad-based economic growth of over 10% in India.

The evidence clearly shows that economic growth is the best tool to lift people out of poverty and improve the quality of life for everyone. Until 1991, India's poverty rate remained unchanged at ~50%. Post reforms, poverty reduced from ~50% to ~20% with 35 crore (350 million) fewer people living in abject poverty. Since 2010, sustaining fast growth has been challenging as the easy gains have been realised. It is critical for India to maintain a growth rate of over 10% for long periods of time if we want Indians quality of life to improve rapidly and sustainably.

FED will identify select sectors of the economy which have the highest potential for generating incremental growth and jobs and then work with policymakers to make it happen. The organisation has Dr Aravind Panagariya, Naushad Forbes, Gurcharan Das, Jerry Rao and Ashish Dhawan on its advisory board who are helping shape the thinking and execution.

Our Work

FED has identified Export Led Labour Intensive Manufacturing, Tourism and Construction as the highest opportunity sectors for generating incremental growth through aggressive reforms over the next few years. Immediate focus is largely on labour intensive manufacturing as this is an area of highest upside if right reforms can be brought about around critical factors of production like labour, land, utilities and logistics.

Our Approach

FED work streams are divided into three primary areas.

• Research and Strategy: Deep dive into identified sectors, speak to relevant stakeholders, study practices from other countries and build data backed evidence for change

• Communication and Outreach: Build salience for opportunity in target sectors and need for reforms through op-eds in relevant channels, social media as well as one on one engagement with key bureaucrats and policymakers

• Implementation Support: Work with select state governments in helping implement specific actions to promote the target sectors. The team is currently working closely with the UP Government on its Mission Trillion Dollar economy. The team is also working with Telangana and Tamil Nadu governments on their economic growth agenda.

Position Summary

We are looking to hire an exceptional Program Manager (PM) to anchor our communications outreach. This role involves: designing Communications and PR programmes/campaigns by working across teams and multiple stakeholders on our focus areas; and owning the end-to-end execution of the programmes.

The PM will be responsible for developing content (long-form and short-form), growing our digital assets like FED's social media accounts on LinkedIn and Twitter, and managing our newsletters and website. The ideal candidate should be able to come up with creative ideas, have strong writing skills, and be able to juggle multiple projects simultaneously. Additionally, s/he will be responsible for knowledge management, and managing partners/ vendors while providing them with timely and relevant information. 

Apart from building your Communications and PR skills, this is a great opportunity to get a ringside view of the development sector. You should apply if you enjoy working in a start-up environment, thrive with minimal hand-holding and care deeply about the importance of economic growth and human capital development in solving key development challenges in India.

Campaign development

• Develop, implement, and evaluate campaigns / outreach on FED's focus areas
• Map and engage stakeholders and influencers for campaigns / outreach
• Develop concept notes and presentations for campaigns / outreach
• Identify and execute media and digital opportunities for campaigns / effective outreach
• Liaise with agency and partners to ensure high-quality collateral creation and provide them with the necessary support and information
• Manage relationships with agencies, partner organisations to ensure deliverables in a timely manner

Managing TCFs owned communications assets

• Manage FED's digital presence across platforms: Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, etc.
• Increase FED's reach and engagement, and ensure a coherent digital ecosystem for the organisation
• Develop customised and digital-friendly content and collateral
• Lead the redesign, development, and maintenance of FED website
• Monitor data and analytics for our social media assets and newsletters and create regular reports. Develop growth strategies based on the reports
• Manage, and regularly update, the FED database
• Manage distribution and maintenance of all print and electronic collateral including, but not limited to, newsletters, brochures, and the foundations annual report
• Ideate and create innovative communications vehicles to create momentum and maximise stakeholder engagement

Developing content and collateral

• Articles and blogs for FED'S newsletter
• Collateral like posters, leaflets, brochures, fact-sheets, a/v scripts, etc.
• Copy and graphics for social media

Required Qualifications, Skills and Abilities:

• Bachelors degree required; Masters degree preferred in Mass Communication, Journalism, Public Relations or related fields
• 4-5 years of work experience in planning and executing mass media and social media campaigns
• Excellent presentation skills and proficiency in drafting communication material in different formats - newsletters, social media copy, press releases, Op-Eds, etc.
• Experience of storyboarding, branding and communications
• Excellent writing/ editing and verbal communication skills
• Know-how of Canva; strong visual aesthetics
• Digital know-how: website development, social media management
• Experience of working with media teams and agencies, including copywriters, graphic designers, video editors, animators, etc.
• Ability to synthesise content inputs from different individuals and develop coherent and engaging content customised for different communication vehicles
• Knowledge of a wide range of media outlets, including print and digital. Should possess the ability to create a pitch and engage actively with media for generating coverage on important issues and topics

Desired Qualities

• Functional knowledge of graphic designing and video editing
• Creative and analytical thinking, and ability to ideate and articulate creative ideas
• Entrepreneurial spirit and a strong bias to action attitude
• Operating style suited to working in a small-organisation setting, where teamwork and resourcefulness are highly valued
• Ability to work proactively, with little supervision
• Ability to build and maintain positive and collaborative relationships both within and outside the organisation
• Planning and organisational skills, and an ability to be able to set priorities, plan timelines and meet deadlines
• Knowledge / awareness of economics/public policy preferable
• Involvement/experience in managing communications in a complex environment preferable