About ELMA Philanthropies

With offices in New York City, Cape Town, Johannesburg and Kampala, ELMA Philanthropies develops program strategies, identifies grant and other investment opportunities, monitors, and evaluates investment performance, and manages strategic partnerships for The ELMA Group of Foundations. This Group includes The ELMA Foundation, The ELMA Relief Foundation, The ELMA Vaccines and Immunization Foundation, The ELMA Music Foundation, The ELMA Growth Foundation, The ELMA Caribbean Foundation and The ELMA South Africa Foundation. ELMA Philanthropies is largely focused on providing these services to the largest foundation within the group, The ELMA Foundation. A full description of the investment frameworks and activities of each Foundation can be found on our website: www.elmaphilanthropies.org.

The ELMA Foundation’s mission is to improve the lives of African children and youth through support of sustainable efforts to relieve poverty, advance education, and promote health. It is primarily active in eastern and southern Africa.

The ELMA Relief Foundation invests in relief efforts throughout the globe with special attention to Africa and the needs of children, who often suffer disproportionately in the aftermath of such tragedies.

The ELMA South Africa Foundation funds organizations and programs that support development and progress in South Africa.

The ELMA Music Foundation invests in organizations in USA and South Africa that support youth development through music or provide assistance to members of the music community undergoing personal and financial hardship.

The ELMA Vaccines and Immunization Foundation’s mission is to expand vaccine and immunization coverage for children globally, with a special emphasis on Africa.

The ELMA Growth Foundation invests in the growth or expansion of initiatives that improve the lives of low-income communities in Africa.

The ELMA Caribbean Foundation supports efforts to advance health or combat the environmental and economic threats posed by climate change in the Caribbean.

ELMA Philanthropies seeks an Associate Communications Officer to join its team in New York City. Reporting to the Director, Marketing and Communications, the Associate Communications Officer will support ELMA Philanthropies’ global Marketing and Communications function, including external communications about ELMA Philanthropies, our work, and our grantee partners.  Specifically, the Associate Communications Officer will support the management of our website, content creation, media relations, and increasing our and our grantees’ digital presence through social media campaigns. In addition, this person will support the editing and creation of our bi-annual physical and digital report and other marketing and presentation materials, and coordinate and assist with proofreading and copy-editing of various projects. This person will also support the planning and execution of ELMA-hosted events and meetings. 

About ELMA Philanthropies

With offices in New York City, Cape Town, Johannesburg and Kampala, ELMA Philanthropies develops program strategies, identifies grant and other investment opportunities, monitors, and evaluates investment performance, and manages strategic partnerships for The ELMA Group of Foundations. This Group includes The ELMA Foundation, The ELMA Relief Foundation, The ELMA Vaccines and Immunization Foundation, The ELMA Music Foundation, The ELMA Growth Foundation, The ELMA Caribbean Foundation and The ELMA South Africa Foundation. ELMA Philanthropies is largely focused on providing these services to the largest foundation within the group, The ELMA Foundation. A full description of the investment frameworks and activities of each Foundation can be found on our website: www.elmaphilanthropies.org.

The ELMA Foundation’s mission is to improve the lives of African children and youth through support of sustainable efforts to relieve poverty, advance education, and promote health. It is primarily active in eastern and southern Africa.

The ELMA Relief Foundation invests in relief efforts throughout the globe with special attention to Africa and the needs of children, who often suffer disproportionately in the aftermath of such tragedies.

The ELMA South Africa Foundation funds organizations and programs that support development and progress in South Africa.

The ELMA Music Foundation invests in organizations in USA and South Africa that support youth development through music or provide assistance to members of the music community undergoing personal and financial hardship.

The ELMA Vaccines and Immunization Foundation’s mission is to expand vaccine and immunization coverage for children globally, with a special emphasis on Africa.

The ELMA Growth Foundation invests in the growth or expansion of initiatives that improve the lives of low-income communities in Africa.

The ELMA Caribbean Foundation supports efforts to advance health or combat the environmental and economic threats posed by climate change in the Caribbean.

Job Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Director. Marketing and Communications, the Associate Communications Officer will be expected to:    

• Regularly update ELMA’s Squarespace-based websites
• Create daily social media posts, and regular campaigns and updates on ELMA’s social media channels (for international audiences in multiple time zones)
• Develop dynamic and engaging social media content and suggest creative ways to support and promote ELMA’s partners and initiatives 
• Liaise with media to help increase exposure of partners and initiatives in local, national, and international outlets  
• Copy, edit, write, and proofread internal and external communications materials  
• Assist in coordination of corporate events  
• Support the production of ELMA’s physical and digital reports, and other marketing materials
• Support team with external oral and power point presentations

Alignment to Values:

All ELMA employees are expected to demonstrate fit with ELMA’s organizational values and culture. Specifically, all employees are expected to demonstrate a commitment to:

• ELMA’s core values of: humility and integrity; respect for human dignity; pursuit of excellence; commitment to partnership; and a results-orientation informed by continuous learning; and
• Gender equity, and social justice, and combatting white supremacy, patriarchy, homophobia, colonialism, and other intersecting systems of oppression.

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of web design principles and the ability to manage the Squarespace website application with confidence 
• Ability to deliver creative content and to write dynamic copy that tells a story and shows impact 
• Proficiency in multiple social media platforms 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills a must, including strong writing, proofreading, and editing ability 
• Knowledge of online content development tools (i.e., Canva, Photoshop, social media scheduling tools, etc.)
• Basic video editing a plus  
• Basic knowledge of Sales Force a plus
• Intermediate to advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office
• PowerPoint graphic design skills and the ability to present information visually
• An eye for design and detail 
• Excellent organizational skills 
• Minimum of three years of communications, social media, public relations, or marketing experience in non-profit, philanthropy, global development, or related field. Equivalent private sector experience is also valued
• Ability to work non-traditional hours and travel locally and internationally as needed
• Ability to work independently, and the ability to make determinations about what to prioritize based on changing circumstances
• Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship
• Ability to work in-person Monday through Friday and expected to work in the office located in New York Monday – Thursday, full time with the option to work remotely on Friday
• Passion for public health, international development, early childhood development, and/or social justice 
• Professional and lived experience in Africa a plus

Salary, Benefits & Other Details:

Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications with attractive benefits.  The salary range for this position is USD85,000-95,000.

ELMA is committed to helping prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to protecting the safety of our employees. All New York employees will be required to be fully vaccinated unless the employee is approved for a reasonable accommodation due to medical contra-indications to vaccination or a sincerely held religious belief.

ELMA employees are expected to work in the office located in New York City Monday –Thursday, full time with the option to work remotely on Friday.

How to Apply:

The ELMA Philanthropies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply for this position.  All employment decisions shall be made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.

If you would like to apply for this position, please submit your application with the following:

• A cover letter
• CV
• Details of contactable references