Communications Coordinator

Organization

Refugee & Immigrant Voices in Action (RIVA) works alongside immigrant, refugee, and newcomer communities across Iowa to strengthen access to resources, build community connections, and support individuals and families as they navigate systems and opportunities.

RIVA’s work includes community partnerships, outreach, education, resource navigation, youth and family engagement, and community-led initiatives.

Position Summary

RIV A is seeking a creative, organized, and community-minded Communications Coordinator to lead communications across RIV A’s programs, grants, campaigns, and organizational initiatives.

The Coordinator will combine communications strategy with hands-on content creation, managing social media, developing digital and print materials, creating photo and video content, supporting public awareness and outreach campaigns, and helping program teams effectively reach their intended audiences.

Working with staff, Community Navigators, leadership, and community partners, the Coordinator will turn program goals and complex information into communications that are clear, engaging, culturally responsive, and accessible.

Essential Functions

Communications Strategy & Campaigns

• Develop communications and outreach strategies for RIVA programs, grants, campaigns, and organizational initiatives.
• Translate program goals into communications objectives, audiences, key messages, content plans, and distribution strategies.
• Maintain communications/content calendars across multiple programs and deadlines.
• Develop systems for creating, reviewing, approving, distributing, and tracking communications materials.
• Identify new communication channels and opportunities to increase awareness and community reach.Social Media & Content Creation
• Manage RIV A’s social media presence and maintain a consistent content schedule.
• Create engaging content including graphics, community stories, educational resources, photographs, short-form videos, program highlights, and event coverage.
• Design digital and print materials including flyers, brochures, resource cards, one-pagers, presentations, advertisements, and outreach materials.
• Use Canva and other appropriate tools to create professional, visually engaging materials consistent with RIV A’s brand.
• Maintain organized communications templates and photo/video/content assets.
• Monitor social media performance and use analytics to improve content and engagement.

Outreach & Community Communications

• Develop communications and dissemination plans for programs, public awareness campaigns, events, workshops, and community initiatives.
• Work with program staff and Community Navigators to identify trusted channels for reaching immigrant, refugee, and newcomer communities.
• Coordinate communications with community organizations, schools, faith communities, partner networks, and other outreach channels.
• Support cross-promotion and information sharing with community partners.
• Ensure communications reflect community needs, preferences, and experiences.

Opioid Abatement/Substance Use Prevention (SUP) Communications

• Develop culturally and linguistically responsive communications for RIVA’s opioid abatement and SUP initiatives.
• Create OUD prevention and education content for social media, print materials, video, public awareness campaigns, and community outreach.
• Coordinate translated and community-reviewed OUD/SUP materials to ensure information is clear, accessible, and culturally responsive.
• Work with program staff and Community Navigators to distribute OUD/SUP information and resources through trusted community channels.
• Support communications for youth and family prevention activities, OUD/mental health resources, community events, and partner outreach.
• Track campaign activities, distribution, reach, and engagement to support opioid abatement/SUP grant reporting and program evaluation.

Multilingual & Culturally Responsive Communications

• Coordinate translation and review of communications materials with staff, translators, Community Navigators, and community members.
• Establish processes for reviewing translated materials for accuracy, clarity, cultural relevance, and accessibility.
• Adapt messaging and communications approaches for different languages, literacy levels, cultural backgrounds, and communication channels.

Storytelling & Organizational Visibility

• Develop stories highlighting RIV A’s programs, partnerships, community voices, and impact.
• Coordinate ethical photography, video, interviews, and testimonials.
• Support newsletters, website content, reports, presentations, and other organizational communications.
• Help maintain a consistent organizational voice and visual identity.

Tracking & Evaluation

• Track communications activities, content distribution, outreach, and campaign performance.
• Maintain communications records needed for program and grant reporting.
• Evaluate reach and engagement and adjust communications strategies as needed.
• Provide regular updates on communications priorities, upcoming content, and results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, digital media, or related field preferred.
• Experience in communications, social media, marketing, journalism, public relations, community outreach, or a related area.
• Strong writing, editing, and visual communication skills.
• Experience managing organizational/professional social media and creating digital content.
• Experience with Canva or similar design tools.
• Photography, videography, and/or video-editing experience.
• Ability to develop communications strategies and turn them into concrete workplans, content calendars, campaigns, and materials.
• Strong organization and project-management skills with the ability to manage multiple programs and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, collaborate across teams, and follow projects through completion.
• Commitment to culturally responsive, accessible, and community-centered communications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in nonprofit, immigrant/refugee, public health, education, or community-based settings; multilingual/multicultural communications; public awareness campaigns; grant-funded programs; social media analytics, website or email communications; and short-form video/multimedia content. Additional language skills are valued but not required.

Pay: $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Des Moines, IA 50314