Communications Coordinator for SBA Teaming Project - Mercy Corps Northwest

Note: This position is a .5 FTE

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps Northwest (MCNW) is the assumed business name for the 501(C) 3 non-profit, Mercy Enterprise Corporation. The organization was established in 1998 as a program of Mercy Corps, the Portland-based international relief and development agency. MCNW is a Community Development Financial Institution that assists all low-income populations, including minorities, women, refugees and immigrants, prisoners, previously incarcerated and the disabled in Oregon and Washington states by increasing their economic self-sufficiency and community integration through self-employment.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Communications Coordinator (CC) will help develop and implement a communications strategy to promote the availability of services and support to small businesses through Powering UP! Small Business Teams and provide outreach to the small business community within the project geography, with a particular focus on historically underserved minority- and women-owned businesses. The communications strategy will involve press releases, web site and appropriate social media engagement. The CC will also take the lead in coordinating and communicating messaging to members of the Governance Team and other partners as appropriate and will participate in enrollment of clients, data entry, database management and reporting, some client management and client success follow-up for impact demonstration and reporting.

This position will also help clients with registration and some positioning of participation in the Virtual Tradeshow tool. Virtual Tradeshow is an on-line Tradeshow available 24/7 for procurement officers to review capability statements and view pre-recorded pitches from small businesses interested in federal or corporate contracts or subcontracts.

As a pilot project, Powering UP! Small Business Teams will evolve and improve based on the critical observations of its Governance Team, staff, clients and funders.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Help develop and implement a communications strategy for promotion, engagement and enrollment of small businesses.
• Develop deep knowledge of available services, programs and organizations available to the small business community to increase participation in federal and corporate procurement.
• Effectively utilize social media to keep the business community informed about opportunities.
• Participate in preparing small businesses “pitch” their business on Virtual Tradeshow.
• Set-up a process and procedure to capture client enrollment, progress, service utilization and successes.
• Appropriately solicit media coverage of project successes.
• Other duties as assigned for the growth, evolution and success of the Powering UP Small Business Teams.

Organizational Learning:

As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries:

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None

ACCOUNTABILITY

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Women’s Business Center Manager

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Project Director and staff and the Governance Team

REQUIREMENTS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• BA/S or equivalent in business communications, finance, banking, community development, economics and/or other relevant field or entrepreneurial experience required.
• Experience with implementation of communications strategy.
• Minimum of 2 years experience using social media to do project promotion required.
• Demonstrated strength in interpersonal communication and skills.
• Self-starter able to provide creative solutions to challenges.
• Experience working with databases, online systems and general office software applications.
• Ability and willingness to work collaboratively with low-income and multicultural populations.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members is required.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Knowledge of federal contracting a plus.
• Knowledge of Virtual Tradeshow technology also a plus.
• Spanish fluency is a plus.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

A successful candidate will have a passion for supporting the growth of minority and women-owned businesses and have a demonstrated ability to function both independently and in alignment with project goals and outcomes. S/he will have the ability to effectively implement a communications plan, a willingness to work for a governance committee, possess effective verbal, written communication skills as well as social media skills and be willing to learn about federal and corporate procurement processes and business development.

LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

This position is based in Portland, Oregon.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Staff are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Please apply directly at:
http://mercycorps.silkroad.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.dspjob&jobid=217807&company_id=15927&jobboardid=479