Communications Officer - HALO USA

Job Title: Communications Officer, HALO USA

Location: The HALO Trust (USA) Inc. is based in the Washington DC office.

Position: Full-time, Exempt

Key working relationships (internal): Philanthropy and Communications (US), HALO USA Executive Director, Government Affairs, Congressional Affairs, Finance and Administration (US), HALO UK Communications, HALO Country Programs.

Responsible To: Head of Philanthropy, HALO USA

Responsible for: Interns, when required

Job Purpose: The Communications Officer supports the work of The HALO Trust USA team by executing a set communication and marketing activities annually. This role reports to the Head of U.S. Philanthropy & Communications. This role requires an enthusiastic person with strong project management skills, that will lead to finding and creating communication content for main audiences, in a very fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will need to have strong knowledge of digital communications, be a natural communicator with a flair for writing captivating prose. We are looking for a self-starter, able to work independently and with initiative, and working as part of a team.  This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant contribution to the growth of HALO Trust (USA) brand and digital presence to meet the mission of HALO Trust.

About HALO USA:

The HALO Trust (USA) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization specializing in the removal of landmines and other debris of war, with projects in 28+ countries and territories employing almost 10,000 people. HALO’s Washington, DC office works with foundations, government partners, international donors, and private donors to increase awareness of the impact of landmines on post-conflict communities and to raise funds to support HALO’s teams working globally.

Key Responsibilities:

Content Creation and Management

• Lead on proactively collecting impact stories and social media blurbs from HALO Key countries; gather and organize photos of program activities; collect recordings and edit them into engaging videos for HALO USA audiences
• Execute the fulfillment of communications and recognition of HALO’s top donors (private donors, policy champions, and USG) quarterly and annually
• Responsible for tracking and ensuring compliance with contractual donors and non-contractual donors.
• Create and write engaging content and designs for external audiences, i.e. e-newsletter, annual reports, briefs, brochures, photo books, story maps, etc.
• Support the creative promotion of the organization’s key external events (e.g. design of event content)
• Support the commission of external vendors, consultants, graphic designers, film producers, editors to create engaging materials and campaigns
•  Write, develop, proof, marketing, and other collateral materials to engage donors and drive on-line donations.

Email Marketing, Website and Social Media Management

• Execute on social media strategy for fundraising and advocacy and ensure channels are active with content for fundraising and advocacy
• Write dynamic and compelling social media and website content (for key audiences) and present HALO’s services and activities with a clear mission and call to action.
• With support from US Digital Marketing Manager, support the growth of the HALO’s U.S. subscribers email lists, social media followers.
• Develop digital assets and posts that drive newsletters, sign-ups, and donations.
• Maintain, segment, and manage HALO USA's subscriber lists for campaigns and donations asks.
• Track and monitor Key Performance Indicators for email, website, social media and provide quarterly reports using tools such as Google Analytics.
• Ensure compliance with data protection and data privacy laws.
• Work with Annual Giving team to implement scalable, repeatable, digital-first pathways (transactional and non) for donations, stewardship and nurturing of donors, followers, and any third-party fundraisers.

General

• Maintain a running calendar of communication content, events, significant days, and key campaigns as part of the annual communications plan of HALO USA.
• Coordinate schedules among departments and office priorities
• Play a key role in supporting the HALO USA teams around key signature events like MAD, UNGA, CEO visits, etc.
• Support Congressional Affairs events with photography, videography, etc.
• Book speaking engagements for HALO CEO, Executive Director, as needed.
• Coordination and liaison with HALO UK Digital Communications and Multi-Media Content team and update the US team on content being developed by UK or Programmes.
• Draft and circulate web press releases and other digital announcements as requested by donors and/or UK Comms.
• Maintain a list of key US media contacts and work with the organization’s global press office teams, as delegated.

• Bachelor’s degree in (digital) communications or marketing.
• Strong project management skills.
• 5 years or more of experience managing web, email marketing social media – from annual plans to writing and content production – including campaign strategies, paid ads, and Google AdWords
• 5 years or more of experience in managing social media accounts and social media ads for audience growth for public donations and advocacy.
• Superior writing, editing and proofreading skills in a broad range of styles, including talking points for events, copywriting, and writing for social media and digital marketing platforms
• Proficiency in digital platforms such as MailChimp, DotDigital, Campaign Monitor, Sprout, etc. and commitment to get training and remain proficient.
• In-depth knowledge of AP Style writing guidelines and journalistic-style copywriting
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to listen well, collaborate effectively and positively represent the organization.
• Strong commitment to continue to take annual training and become an expert of digital platforms for proficiency.
• Strong experience with SEO best practices and Google analytics.
• Proficiency in HTML and CSM.
• Excellent storytelling skills, including experience in developing visual and written assets.
• Quality experience in video production and photography.
• Experience with effectively managing social networking platforms.
• Strong graphic design sense and proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud Suite.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 applications.

Essential Qualities

• Strong Communicator – Writes and presents clearly and persuasively for diverse audiences and internal stakeholders.
• Highly Organized – Manages multiple projects and deadlines with precision and professionalism.
• Tenacious, self-starting, and able to thrive in a fluid, entrepreneurial context
• Collaborative, team player, with a good sense of humor and a low ego.  
• A commitment to HALO’s mission and objectives  
• Strong intellectual curiosity and the ability to articulate HALO’s various programmes and strategies in a compelling way.

This job description is intended to summarize the main duties and responsibilities of the role, and it is not intended to be a full and exhaustive list of tasks. All HALO staff are expected to demonstrate flexibility and willingness to perform appropriate tasks when the need arises.

The HALO Trust USA employee benefits for full-time employees include:

• Vacation Time: 25 days (5 weeks) paid vacation (PTO) accrued at 16.667 hours per month.
• Sick Leave: 5 days (1 week) paid Sick-Leave. Sick Leave cannot be ‘carried over’ to the next year.
• Holidays: HALO USA observes all USA Federal holidays.
• Savings Plan: A 401(k)retirement savings plan is offered to our employees, but managed entirely through our Payroll provider, Insperity. HALO USA will ‘match’ up to 5% of an employee’s contributed monthly savings to their 401(k) account.
• Health Insurance: Health Insurance benefits are offered to employees through HALO’s payroll provider, Insperity. HALO pays a portion of the employee’s monthly health insurance premium. (Applies only to employees that choose to partake in the health insurance plan.)
• Dental Insurance: Dental Insurance benefits are offered to employees through HALO’s payroll provider, Insperity. HALO pays a portion of the employee’s monthly dental insurance premium. (Applies only to employees that choose to partake in the dental insurance plan.)

Please submit a CV (no more than 2 pages) and a cover letter (no more than 1 page) outlining how your experience matches the key skills and competencies required by 1st October 2025.

The HALO Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

The HALO Trust is committed to a culture that is both diverse and inclusive and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.

The HALO Trust is committed to ensuring that it provides a safe and trusted environment which safeguards and promotes the welfare and wellbeing of anyone who comes into contact with, or is part of, the Charity, with a zero-tolerance approach to behaviours which challenge this.