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We are hiring a project manager
The Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung gGmbH (WZB Berlin Social Science Center) research group ‘Globalization, Work and Production’ seeks to hire a Communications Manager (f/m/x)
The University of Oxford’s Fairwork project has partnered with WZB (Berlin Social Science Center) to develop a Fairwork Secretariat in Berlin. The partnership involves the recruitment of a Communications Manager, a Project Manager, and a Postdoctoral Research Fellow.
This is a full-time fixed-term position, with remuneration up to EG 13 TVöD Bund (yearly gross income between 51,000 and 60,000 Euros), starting as soon as possible until July 2022 (extension possible).
The closing date for applications is 1 December 2020.
About Fairwork
Fairwork is an action-research project that currently operates in the UK, Germany, South Africa, India, Chile, Ecuador, Brazil, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Egypt, and Bangladesh. We research working conditions in the gig economy, in order to develop ‘fairness ratings’ for digital labour platforms like Uber, Helpling and Deliveroo (see examples here). We use these ratings as a lever to improve pay and conditions for platform workers, through media and consumer pressure.
Fairwork’s programme of action research intends not just to understand the world, but to change it. By bringing workers, platforms, scholars, labour researchers and policymakers to the table, we work to collaboratively develop and embed principles of fair work into the script of the gig economy. Fundamental to the project is a commitment to being participatory and non-hierarchical within our communities: we are all—workers, unions, platforms, regulators, academics—the experts, and we all have co-developed this project. Our ultimate aim is to understand, and counter, some of the forces that disempower gig workers across the world.
Over the past three years, we have mobilized a unique and growing transnational network of social justice-minded scholars from over ten countries in pursuit of this planetary goal. In order to effectively advocate for gig workers everywhere, we believe it necessary for our team too to reflect a diversity of backgrounds, cultures, perspectives and more. In growing our team, we value and welcome the unique contributions that applicants can bring in terms of their education, opinions, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, ethnicity, race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, age, religion, disability, and beliefs. We actively strive to build and nurture a culture of empathy, inclusiveness, and respect.
The Fairwork Secretariat is a joint project of the Oxford Internet Institute and the WZB, led by professor Mark Graham (University of Oxford) and professor Martin Krzywdzinski (WZB). The Fairwork Secretariat sits at the nexus of three research clusters in Oxford and Berlin that focus on the future of work. The WZB GAP group comprises a number of researchers focusing on the digitalization of work, including research on platforms, automation, and artificial intelligence. The work at the Fairwork Secretariat will also involve cooperation with the Berlin-based Weizenbaum Institute for the Networked Society.
About the Communications Manager
The ideal candidate(s) will have:
- A relevant graduate degree in sociology, geography, anthropology, economics, development studies, or related fields.
- Professional experience in communications, journalism, public relations, preferably in academia / research.
- Excellent communication skills, including the ability to confidently represent the project externally, and present concepts verbally in precise and concise language.
- Excellent writing, editing, proofreading, layout and design, professional printing/publishing skills.
- Experience in developing and maintaining website content and social media channels.
- Experience in using the Adobe Creative Suite or similar software.
- Experience with managing publication processes.
- Experience in interacting effectively and closely with a wide range of people, including influential people and media persons.
- Strong knowledge and understanding of current trends in digital/social media.
- Experience in working autonomously with a high degree of motivation and initiative.
- Strong organizational and planning skills.
- Strong project management and time management skills.
- Preferably experience in creating or overseeing the creation of multimedia outputs like videos, podcasts, infographics, video games, etc.
- Preferably language competencies in languages spoken in Fairwork partner countries (e.g., Spanish, Portuguese, French, Arabic, Mandarin).
- Knowledge of issues impacting on precarious and insecure workers, and a demonstrable commitment to working towards the empowerment of workers, and to equality and inclusion.
Applications from equally qualified people living with a disability will be given preference. We value diversity and welcome all applications – regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic or social origin, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity. The WZB expressly encourages women and people with a migrant background to submit an application.
Structure and Primary Responsibilities
Because external-facing communication is such an integral part of the project’s impact strategy, the Communications Manager will play an essential role in driving the project’s success. The tasks required in this role will involve close cooperation between the Berlin- and Oxford-based teams, including joint research activities, workshops and conferences, as well as publications. There will be regular travel opportunities to facilitate collaboration between the Oxford- and Berlin-based teams, and the opportunity to conduct fieldwork in partner countries.
The primary responsibilities of this position will be:
- Developing a cohesive communications strategy for Fairwork.
- Working closely with the central team and the wider Fairwork network to ensure delivery of regular communications, including eg. maintaining social media channels; maintaining the website, including blog posting and editing, content editing, keeping track of translations; drafting regular newsletters.
- Overseeing the development of multimedia outputs (podcasts, videos, infographics, interactive games, applications, etc.) and compelling social media campaigns to share findings and communicate key messages.
- Building communications infrastructure for engaging platform workers.
- Developing and executing strategy to disseminate findings and communicate key messages to platform workers.
- Working with authors and external designers/copy editors/translators in the delivery of the projects’ publications and promotional materials.
- Writing and disseminating press releases targeting media in our 12+ countries of operation.
- Developing a network of media contacts in our 12+ countries of operation.
- Designing (including page-setting) regular high-quality reports and other outputs published by teams in 12+ countries.
- Designing Fairwork-branded InDesign, MS Word, PowerPoint, and other templates for use by teams in 12+ countries.
- Coordinating events such as meetings, retreats, short courses/summer school, conferences, workshops and seminars in close liaison with project members as required.
Duration and Deadline
This is a fixed-term position starting as soon as possible until July 2022 (extension possible).
The remuneration is up to EG 13 TVöD Bund (yearly gross income between 51,000 and 60,000 Euros, depending on qualification and work experience)
The closing date for applications is 1 December 2020.
Contact
If you have any questions about this role, please contact Sonata Cepik (bewerbungen-gap@wzb.eu)