Program Associate, Journalism and Media Programming Job at MRA in Muscatine

Program Associate, Journalism and Media Programming

The Stanley Center for Peace and Security, an MRA member, has an exciting opening for a journalism and media program associate. Join their team and help their mission-driven organization catalyze real-world change.

In support of the Stanley Center’s long-held belief that independent, accurate journalism is a critical part of building societies that are more informed, just, and accountable, the center creates and organizes programs tailored for journalists and members of the media related to the three global challenges the center’s work focuses on: climate change, nuclear weapons, and mass violence and atrocities.

The program associate reports to the director of policy programming strategy and works as part of a two-person team under the day-to-day direction of the senior program officer for journalism and media. The program associate is a key part of developing and carrying out programs such as workshops, reporting fellowships, dialogues, reporting projects, and training in the United States and around the world in collaboration with partner organizations.

The Stanley Center is looking for a self-starter who is intellectually curious, goal-driven, and collaborative, with strong knowledge of journalism and media. Candidates should have an interest in international affairs and be motivated to provide program coordination and support, helping to translate vision and strategy into actionable tasks. In addition to a bachelor’s degree in journalism, media, or a related field (or equivalent combination of experience, education, and/or training), candidates should demonstrate self-directed and effective task management, attention to detail, and relationship-building skills.

This is a full-time, nonexempt position with the option to work remotely up to 3 days per week, flexible scheduling, and an optional half day off on Fridays. Travel in and outside of the United States is required, with approximately 5 trips per year for periods of 3-10 days per trip.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The Stanley Center offers competitive pay, opportunities for learning and professional growth within the organization, and a generous benefits package. Please see benefits details, job qualifications and responsibilities, and application requirements below.

Only complete applications will be considered.

About the Stanley Center
The Stanley Center for Peace and Security partners with people, organizations, and the greater global community to drive policy progress in three issue areas—mitigating climate change, avoiding the use of nuclear weapons, and preventing mass violence and atrocities. Based in Muscatine, Iowa, the center’s home is one of the most ecologically sustainable office buildings in the world.

Primary Responsibilities
Program Support: Because the design and implementation of programming is how the Stanley Center furthers its vision, mission, and goals, the program associate provides key support to center programming activities as part of a two-person team.
As part of program support, the program associate:

• Supports the development and pursuit of journalism and media programming strategies.
• Assists with the design, coordination, and implementation of journalism and media programming activities.
• Collaborates across departments to ensure delivery of high-impact programming.

Specific program support responsibilities of the program associate include:

• Researching and tracking journalism/media trends, keeping the information gathered organized.
• Drafting email communications, written updates, and other text for various uses across the organization and with external partners.
• Collaborating closely with the center’s Communications Department on journalism and media programming-related communications and publications.
• Collaborating closely with the center’s Operations Department when planning, organizing, and carrying out programming events.
• Keeping co-workers across the center well informed of developments and progress on assigned work.
• Participating in programming activities or other events in the United States and abroad organized by the Stanley Center, its partners, or others.

External Networking and Relationship Maintenance: Because collaboration with other organizations is a key element of the Stanley Center’s work, the program associate is a part of networking and maintaining strong and supportive ties with key organizational partners, journalists, editors, and other media professionals. As part of networking and relationship maintenance, responsibilities of the program associate include:

• Supporting the center’s journalism and media-oriented networking and relationship development by tracking journalism/media networks, organizations, and funders; previous participants in the center’s journalism and media programming; and the work of partners.
• Assisting with external collaboration with outside partners, including scheduling and participating in planning meetings, drafting documents, and other related tasks.
• Keeping journalism and media contacts organized and up to date in the center’s contact database and management system.
• Communicating effectively the vision, mission, and values of the center and the goals and strategies of the journalism and media programming.

Learning: Because the Stanley Center has a learning process to help us best understand the impact of the center’s programming, the program associate is expected to understand and contribute to that process. For the program associate, this includes:

• Working with the journalism and media program officer, and outside partners as needed, to collect feedback and impact data for the center’s learning process, including administering post-activity assessment surveys.
• Working with the journalism and media program officer to incorporate lessons learned from activity-specific assessments and adjust programming to reflect feedback.
• Participating in cross-team learning from assessing programming impact.
• Building their own media intelligence that allows them to understand the needs and challenges of journalists and other media partners.

Team Contribution: Because the Stanley Center values teamwork and collaboration, the center expects the program associate to use open, respectful, and inclusive communication and be part of creating a workplace with a sense of belonging. As part of the larger staff team, the program associate meets deadlines agreed on with others and contributes to internal reporting mechanisms, meetings, and processes as requested.
Other assigned or voluntary responsibilities.The program associate may be asked or voluntarily choose to be part of meetings, processes, or organizational committees focused on tasks outside of their primary responsibilities.

Qualifications
The ideal candidate will possess:

• A bachelor’s degree—or equivalent combination of experience, education, and/or training–in journalism, media, mass communications, or a related field. Some coursework in international relations, political science, and/or foreign policy issues preferred.
• One to two years of project/program implementation experience, including a proven capacity to manage tasks, set daily work goals, and meet deadlines.
• Practical experience interacting with journalists and media organizations and/or producing journalism or media content.
• An interest in international policy and global challenges that cannot be solved by one country alone.
• Excellent communication and active-listening skills.
• Highly effective organizational skills, including the ability to track details and manage information flows across multiple ongoing activities.
• Proficient writing and analytical skills.
• Excellent collaborative skills in a team setting.
• Dynamic networking and relationship-cultivation-and-maintenance skills.
• Familiarity with technology and tools that are commonly used in today’s digital workspaces.

Additional desirable traits include:

• Familiarity with utilizing social media and other digital media and communications platforms.
• Exposure to international policy work and a broad understanding of how policy change is created.
• Ability to speak, read, and/or write in multiple languages.
• Study, travel, or living experience outside of the United States.

The position requires frequent travel in and outside of the United States. Applicants must be able to travel approximately 5 times per year for periods of 3-10 days per trip.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. A preemployment background check is conducted after a job offer.

What the Stanley Center Offers
Flexibility and Benefits

• Work remotely up to 3 days, with 2 required office days (Mondays and Thursdays), per week.
• Flexible scheduling and optional half day off on Fridays.
• Minimum of 10 days’ vacation leave annually (determined at hiring).
• Eight days of health care leave annually.
• Eleven paid holidays plus 2 individual holidays per year.
• Up to 9 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance; center pays approximately 95 percent of employee-only premiums.
• Flexible benefit plans.
• Retirement plan with up to 3 percent match plus annual contribution of 7 percent of compensation.
• Employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance.
• Tuition reimbursement and annual allotment for professional development.
• Lifestyle Spending Account: up to $1,500 per year for various expenses.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Cell phone and internet stipends.

Classification:This is a full-time, nonexempt, salaried position.
Schedule:Monday-Friday, eight work hours per day, with some schedule flexibility, including optional half days on Fridays.
Compensation:Salary commensurate with qualifications; a hiring pay range will be shared directly with all applicants. The Stanley Center covers most expenses involved with relocation.
Location:304 Iowa Ave, Muscatine, Iowa (work in-office at least Mondays and Thursdays).
Application Directions
MRA – The Management Association, is assisting the Stanley Center with filling this role. To be considered for this position, please apply using the application form above. Please send a letter of interest, your resume, at least three references, and a brief sample of your writing with an explanation of why you chose that writing sample to share.
Priority Application Deadline: 5:00 PM Central time on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. The position is open until filled, but candidates are strongly encouraged to apply by the priority deadline.
Position Posting Date:October 18, 2024
Target Hire Date:January 15, 2025
Hiring Process:The Stanley Center’s hiring process can include an initial phone interview, a videoconference interview, and an on-site interview. The Stanley Center pays for travel costs associated with on-site interviews.
The Stanley Center is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. #J-18808-Ljbffr