Outreach & Communications Coordinator

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join the Harvard Kennedy School?

The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is one of 12 graduate and professional schools at the university. Harvard Kennedy School’s mission is to improve public policy and leadership so people can live in societies that are more safe, free, just, and sustainably prosperous. By combining cutting-edge research, the teaching of outstanding students, and direct interaction with practitioners, we have an impact on solving public problems that no other institution can match. When you work at Harvard Kennedy School, you make a difference.

Job Description

Founded in 1987, the Harvard Project on Indigenous Governance and Development (Harvard Project) is located at the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) and is associated with the Harvard University Native American Program. Through applied research and service, the Harvard Project aims to understand and foster the conditions under which sustained, self-determined social and economic development is achieved among American Indian nations. The Harvard Project's core activities include research, advisory services, executive education, and administering the Honoring Nations awards program. The Harvard Project also collaborates with the Native Nations Institute for Leadership, Management, and Policy at the University of Arizona.

The Harvard Project Project is a research initiative dedicated to advancing scholarship and providing practical tools for Indigenous nation rebuilding. The Outreach and Communications Coordinator supports the dissemination of the Project’s research, resources, and program opportunities to Indigenous leaders, scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and partner organizations in the United States and internationally.

Job Summary:

Working as part of a small, collaborative team, the Outreach and Communications Coordinator plays an active role in the day-to-day operations of the Harvard Project’s communications work across digital media, print, and outreach channels, while also providing support for public programs and events. Reporting to the Senior Program Director, this position helps ensure that the Project’s publications, events, and initiatives are communicated clearly, consistently, and accessibly to a range of audiences. The Ash Center, the Project’s home at HKS, is a global, values-driven community that believes diverse perspectives are essential to understanding and addressing real-world problems and seeks candidates who share this commitment.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Support implementation of the Harvard Project’s communications calendar and promotion schedule to ensure timely release of materials, publications, announcements, and event promotions.
• Draft, edit, and distribute newsletters, email campaigns, announcements, and other public-facing communications related to research, publications, Honoring Nations, and other relevant topics.
• Maintain and update the Harvard Project website, including posting research, news, profiles, events, and program information, and coordinating with technical staff as needed.
• Assist with drafting and scheduling content for social media channels, monitor engagement, and help strengthen the Project’s digital presence in alignment with Ash Center, HKS, and University guidance.
• Assist with creating and producing communications materials, including stories, profiles, Q&As, outreach copy, graphics, presentations, and related content that highlight Indigenous governance innovations and Project research and resources, including Honoring Nations awardees.
• Support communications and outreach for the Honoring Nations program, including award announcements, calls for applications, dissemination of case materials, and related promotional activities.
• Help maintain contact lists and support email audience development and tracking through Salesforce, including basic reporting on campaign performance and engagement.
• Coordinate with colleagues across the Ash Center, HKS, Harvard University, and external partner organizations to support outreach, dissemination, and co-sponsored activities.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for key external organizations (e.g., NNI, Native Governance Center, NCAI, Google) and communities of interest (e.g., tribal leaders, public officials, scholars, practitioners, and others in the field of American Indian affairs).
• Provide communications and basic logistical support for seminars, webinars, conferences, and other events, including drafting promotional copy, posting calendar listings, managing registration, supporting speakers and virtual platforms, and assisting with follow-up communications and dissemination of recordings or materials.
• Assist with maintaining and updating Nation Building Toolboxes and other online educational materials, including supporting design and storyboarding and tracking use and outcomes.
• Contribute to other communications, outreach, and program support tasks as needed in a small-team environment.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in communications, public policy, journalism, marketing, public relations, Indigenous studies, or a related field.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public policy, journalism, marketing, public relations, Indigenous studies, or a related field.
• Knowledge of American Indian affairs, Indigenous governance, or related policy issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor content to different audiences.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a collaborative environment.
• Experience in website content management, graphic design, video editing and design tools such as Canva, iMovie, and Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Experience with and use of LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and other social media outlets as well as Salesforce or other CRM platforms.
• Ability to travel, including nights and weekends, as needed.