Japan Communications Coordinator

350.org is looking for an outstanding media relations professional, with a deep understanding of the  media landscape in Japan as well as current global debates on climate, energy and divestment. A strategic thinker with a proactive mindset, the ideal candidate will have native-level command of Japanese and near-native command of English.

About 350.org

350.org is building a global grassroots movement to solve the climate crisis. Our online campaigns, grassroots organizing, and mass public actions are led from the bottom up by thousands of volunteer organizers in over 188 countries. 350.org works hard to organize in a new way—everywhere at once, using online tools to facilitate strategic offline action. We want to be a laboratory for the best ways to strengthen the climate movement and catalyze transformation around the world.

350.org is an equal opportunity employer. 350.org strives to be an inclusive and collaborative group of people who bring a variety of approaches to the work we do. We’re committed to the principles of justice, and we try to build a safe workplace where everyone is treated fairly and enjoys working together. We value new perspectives, ideas of all sorts, and different ways of working. Diverse perspectives and experiences improve the way 350.org carries out our work – including what we decide to work on and how creatively/effectively we do that. We do our best to make staff positions accessible to all potential team members, regardless of race, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, assigned gender, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation or identity, religion or creed, veteran status, marital or parental status, and genetic information. We also strive to include team members in communities most impacted by climate change or impacted by other kinds of environmental, social, and economic injustice.

About the Japan Communications Coordinator

Location: Tokyo, Japan.

The role of the Japan Communications Coordinator is to develop and execute strategies for campaign communications related to 350.org’s divestment campaign in Japan, as well as to implement regional communications strategies in alignment with global communications objectives.

Responsibilities:

Satisfying the role described above will require the communication specialist to perform the following responsibilities:

Media relations: identify relevant media contacts and cultivate relationships with Japanese journalists, and further develop and maintain media contacts lists

• Pitch stories to individual journalists including op-eds
• Provide input and respond to media requests
• Spread non-Japanese stories of relevance to Japanese media and coordinate spread of Japanese stories beyond Japan with wider communications team
• Organize media briefings, identify and attend events that relevant journalists are likely to attend

Media materials: develop media materials such as press releases, media packages, as well as multimedia materials where possible/relevant

• Write and issue press releases and media statements
• Write and publish blogs
• Write and submit articles such as opinion pieces
• Prepare media packages for bigger events
• Oversee development of multimedia materials (photos, videos, audio recordings, slideshows) where possible/relevant

Media engagement: media monitoring, identifying media opportunities and engaging with issues relevant for 350.org’s work and broader context

• Regular media monitoring (via Google and Cision)
• Identify media debates relevant for 350.org’s work, plus broader context, and assess whether to engage
• Create and coordinate media responses including rapid response communication
• Closely work with 350.org network in Japan to coordinate media events and actions

Media strategies: Develop  the strategic framework that guides media engagement

• Develop a communications strategy for Japan (including goals, audience, priority outlets, messaging) and an overall communications strategy in collaboration with wider communications and Japan team
• Manage and coordinate communications for Japan, and coordinate media outreach in Japan around global moments in coordination with the global team
• Monitor and evaluate media coverage (progress towards goals)
• Advise the Japan team on campaign and engagement strategies

Proofreading/Translation:

• Proofreading Japanese translations as needed
• Coordinating with translators  

Public Engagement:

• Understand 350.org's history, campaigns, and theory of social change, and keep current with basic climate science and policy. From time to time, use this knowledge to represent 350.org's perspective in varied public venues based on geographic location and areas of expertise.

Required Qualifications

• At least 3 years of previous experience in media relations and communications in Japan.
• A strong interest for working on environmental and climate issues
• Working knowledge and keen interest in the current global debates on climate, energy
• Knowledge of the media landscape in Japan and strong networks with media contacts in Japan
• Professional experience in an international and/or multi-cultural environment

Desired (but not required) skills and experiences

• Experience working remotely
• Experience working in NGOs and the nonprofit sector
• Proven knowledge of the financial sector in Japan
• Experience with media analysis
• Experience in corporate / political reporting
• Experience in data collection and analysis

We are looking for someone who is comfortable working both independently and in teams, highly responsive, and able to lead initiatives as well as take direction from others.  

Position Type: Full time

Start Date: ASAP

Compensation: Competitive compensation based on experience

Location: Tokyo, Japan

If you have suggestions for us on how to do this better, we really value your input and strongly encourage you to write to us at jobs@350.org with the subject line ‘Hiring Feedback’.