Project Associate_Communications and Outreach : Charkha

Apply by 15th April 24

Charkha: Founded in 1994 by the visionary social activist, Sanjoy Ghose, Charkha (www.charkha.org) is a non-profit organisation that works towards the social and economic inclusion of marginalised communities in remote areas. Many of these areas are highly inaccessible and face social & economic instability. We aim to create sustainable two-way communication networks to enable these under-served communities to benefit from development mechanisms through the creative use of media.

Charkha’s core programmatic focus is to create a network of rural journalists by teaching young people, especially adolescent girls, how to present (through articles and videos) the unique sociological and developmental issues their communities face. Our workshops develop their understanding of socio-economic development issues using the gender lens, teach nuances of feature writing, and create spaces for their voices in mainstream and alternative media. This also strengthens their capacity to lead initiatives in their villages.

The articles, poems, pictures, videos etc. created by our network of rural writers are then edited and disseminated to various national and regional print and digital media through Charkha Feature Service in Hindi, Urdu and English – the only ‘Trilingual Feature Service’ in India.

About the Role:
The Communications and Outreach Associate will be responsible for driving Charkha’s mission through strategic communication initiatives, including developing and executing communication strategies and engaging stakeholders across social media platforms. We expect you to be passionate about making a real impact and collaborating with youth and grassroots workers in some of India’s remotest villages.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute the organisation’s communications strategy to effectively capture Charkha’s initiatives and vision.
• Collaborate with team members and conduct frequent field visits to gain insight into ongoing work and identify compelling stories for content creation and new campaigns across platforms such as LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter.

Social Media Platforms:

• Maintain active engagement on social media through posts, comments, and interactions.
• Proactively incorporate emerging social media trends into content strategies.
• Monitor and analyse media platform performance metrics to assess content effectiveness and adjust the communications strategy as necessary.
• Plan and execute diverse campaigns for significant events, including but not limited to Crowd Funding, International Women’s Day, Charkha’s Founders Day, Knowledge Exchange Programs, etc.

Outreach:

• Communicate with other organisations and funding agencies for collaboration and outreach.
• Participate in events aligned with Charkha’s mission.
• Create impact reports and case studies to document Charkha’s interventions’ effectiveness.
• Ensure the organisation’s website remains up-to-date.
• Write reports including a monthly newsletter and annual reports, for external stakeholders.

Qualification and Experience Required:

• Minimum of 1 year of professional experience in a Communications and Outreach role, preferably within non-profit organisations.
• Bachelor’s degree in mass communication, development communication or related field.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and language skills are essential. Fluency in Hindi and English is mandatory, with proficiency in Urdu being preferred.
• Ability to foster teamwork and work cooperatively to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organisational effectiveness.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, etc.).
• A creative mind with storytelling ability, reflected in their writing, photography and video editing skills. Prior experience with content creation software such as Canva is mandatory.
• Experience with social media scheduling tools and analytics platforms is a plus.

Time Commitment: Full Time

Location: New Delhi, On-site, with frequent travel to field areas. The individual would be required to work from our Delhi office during the three-month probation period. Following this, the schedule will include 3 days a week from the office and remotely for the remaining 2 days.

Compensation: INR 3,60,000 per annum (non-negotiable)

Application Process: Email your CV & Cover Letter to connect@charkha.org with the subject line

“Application for Project Associate_Communications and Outreach” by 15th April 2024. Please note, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted after the application’s last date.

As a small organisation, your role may extend beyond your job profile. We expect you to contribute to Charkha’s long-term strategic plan, which can be challenging but offers a unique opportunity to learn about development in extremely remote areas.

Charkha is committed to promoting equal employment opportunities. We firmly believe in a workplace that values diversity and inclusion. Charkha does not discriminate based on gender, race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or socioeconomic status. We strongly encourage applicants from marginalised backgrounds to apply.