Position:                                              Communications Intern

Location:                                             Montreal, QC

Language:                                           English, French (an asset)

Supervisor:                                         Manager, Communications

Position Type:                                   Full-time, May-August 2024

Salary:                                                  $18.50/hour

Job Requirement:                           Must be eligible to work in Canada

Closing Date:                                     May 17, 2024 at 5PM EST

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Communications Intern will support Crossroads International’s efforts to engage Canadians in advancing women’s rights and gender equality in sub-Saharan Africa. This position will support our Communications Officers who are part of the Philanthropy and Public Engagement team. The role requires an enthusiastic, dedicated and detail-oriented person who can comfortably manage multiple tasks. The individual is a team-player with a willingness to learn and the ability to adapt to shifting priorities.

Depending on skillset, this individual will assist with communications tasks including, but not limited to writing and editing, photo and video production and editing, web and social media analytics, social media content, media relations, stakeholder communications as well as support of some of the larger Philanthropy and Public Engagement team’s needs such as event coordination and other communications and administrative support tasks.

The Communications Intern position is full-time and requires a minimum of 35 hours per week for 16 weeks from May to August 2024, with the possibility of continued employment pending organizational needs.

The role is mainly remote, with the opportunity to work in-person at the Montreal office when possible.

Supervision Plan:

• The Manager, Communications will provide the Communications Intern with:

• Daily remote supervision
• Weekly check-in meetings to discuss projects and tasks
• Prompt informal and formal feedback through email, Teams messages and discussions, scheduled coaching sessions and a verbal and written performance evaluation
• Job-specific training through online learning, thorough verbal and written instructions from supervisor, mentor, and organizational subject matter experts
• In-depth health and safety training pertinent to both the Ontario and Quebec jurisdictions

Mentorship Plan:

• The Senior Manager, Philanthropy & Public Engagement will provide the Communications Intern with:

• Remote one-on-one monthly mentoring sessions
• Weekly guidance in team meetings
• Formal input to and participation in the performance evaluation
• Communications skills development support and training in event coordination, stakeholder communications, as well as senior level feedback on communications and campaigns/events and additional support as required

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Social Media planning, research, reporting and coordination as assigned. Draft and organize social media content to promote Crossroads’ videos, events, blogs, etc. on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
• Edit and update promotional material and publications such as brochures, photos, videos, animations, infographics, and PowerPoint presentations for internal and external communication needs.
• Identify and research opportunities to share Crossroads’ stories with relevant journalists and media outlets to spread awareness of our work.
• Assist with communications event planning and coordination.
• Review and support with activities on the communications calendar.
• Draft or proofread email content for supporter engagement and set-up emails on engagement platform.
• Content creation: short videos and visuals for social media.
• Website updates and maintenance.
• Supporting stakeholder communications and the larger Philanthropy and Public Engagement team.
• Analyze engagement results.
• Other duties and special projects as assigned.

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT:

• The Communications Intern will have the opportunity to develop the following skills throughout their employment:

• Customer service skills: support of internal and external clients including the needs of both the Philanthropy and Public Engagement team and Communications team
• Teamwork skills: close collaboration with members of the Communications and Philanthropy team, donors, journalists, and media outlets along with periodic interaction with other functional teams and individuals
• Communication skills: daily exchanges with Communications colleagues, participation in monthly Communications meetings, opportunities to take meeting notes, present at team, committee, and organizational-level meetings
• Digital skills: requirement for use of computer, and Microsoft Office 365 applications including Teams, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Forms; internet research
• Leadership skills: autonomy in leading Communications project work with support where needed; opportunity to present work in various forms and meet with the Executive Director
• Organizational skills: ability to effectively prioritize, manage, classify and store relevant information
• Marketing skills (Social Media): understanding and use of social media outlets including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram to plan, edit, and update Crossroads’ promotional material

QUALIFICATIONS

• Enrolled in a university program or equivalent in a related field (Business, Human Resources, Communications, Sociology, etc.)
• Eligible to work in Canada
• Interested in international development and issues related to gender equality and women’s empowerment
• Excellent language skills in English or French required, bilingualism a strong asset
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 applications (i.e., SharePoint, Excel, Word, Outlook, etc.)
• Experience with Social Media outlets
• Organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Capacity to work both collaboratively in a team and independently
• High level of autonomy and initiative

Ability to work remotely for majority of the workweek in a fast-paced environment with the option of going into office if preferred.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND ESSENTIAL CONDITIONS

• Share Crossroads’ values and ethical standards, particularly:
  • A commitment to preventing, mitigating, and responding to sexual violence,
  • A commitment to gender equality, and
  • A commitment to anti-racism.
• Contribute a minimum of 35 hours per week

**As an equal opportunity employer, we strongly encourage candidates from diverse, marginalized, and disadvantaged groups to apply**

THE ORGANIZATION

Crossroads International is a leading Canadian non-profit volunteer cooperation agency which has been advancing equality for women and girls and eradicating poverty in some of the world’s poorest countries in Africa for over 60 years. Crossroads invests in local partner organizations in 9 countries who are best positioned to meet the needs of their communities. With them, we pilot innovative approaches, and empower women and girls to become leaders and live free from violence. Every year Crossroads engages hundreds of experienced volunteers and staff North and South who apply their expertise locally to address poverty and inequality, while integrating key tenets of environmentalism and sustainability into our projects. The organization’s 50+ employees are based in Canada, Senegal, Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda, and Crossroads’ volunteers fulfil over 100 mandates per year.

As a non-profit working in the space of gender equality and poverty elimination, principles and values of access and equity are at the heart of our work. As an equal opportunity employer, we strongly encourage candidates from diverse, marginalized, and disadvantaged groups to apply such as youth, Black, racialized, Indigenous and, differently abled individuals and others who may face discrimination based on age, ancestry, citizenship, color, ethnicity, family status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or invisible disabilities, political belief, race, religion, or sexual orientation.

Crossroads is also committed to preventing and addressing sexual misconduct and advancing anti-racism. To that end, the organization is a signatory to Cooperation Canada’s Leaders’ Pledge on Preventing and Addressing Sexual Misconduct and the Anti-Racism Framework for Canada’s International cooperation sector.

OUR VISION

ONE WORLD where poverty is eliminated, equality prevails, and the rights of women and girls are fulfilled. 

APPLICATION

If you are interested in joining a dynamic international development organization, please submit your resume and cover letter in one document (Word or PDF) before 5 pm EST on May 17, 2024 by e-mail to . Applications must include “Communications Intern – Your Name” in the subject line of the email. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Not sure you have everything we’re asking for, but know you can make a big impact? Tell us your story and we will be happy to consider you. 

We thank all applicants in advance, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.  

To learn more about Crossroads please visit our website (https://cintl.org/).