Volunteer Needed: Communications Intern | Architecture for Humanity

Posted by tomikaanderson on Sep 5, 2012

Location: HQ - San Francisco, CA
Start Date: ASAP
Type: 2012 - 2013 Unpaid Volunteer

Program Background:
Architecture for Humanity couldn't have become as successful as it had without diligent advocacy and marketing of its services, projects and people. That said, we still have a long way to go to establish standard, intuitive, accessible and replicable resources for ourselves, our partners, chapters and fans to learn about our work and advocate on behalf of the organization. Architecture is a tricky service to market and we're looking to augment our communications and reach out to architects and laypersons alike unaware of the impressive work we do. For that we need a communications intern.

The communications intern is someone who understands the story of Architecture for Humanity, and be able to help retell it through images and narratives, one pagers and web resources, but also explore exactly WHAT IT MEANS to be a part of Architecture for Humanity, and how it fits into the larger picture of progressive humanitarian design, through individual research, interviews with staff, volunteers and design fellows in the field, and initiating conversations with partners, colleagues and peers. The work takes an exacting sense of significance and organization. The intern will also assist staff at Headquarters organize and catalog project-related resources, images and information?and would benefit from the diligent nerdiness need to pursue a comprehensive and consistent project file archive that would include statistics, hi-res imagery and presentation slide decks. Some information will have to be tracked down.

The position combines big picture planning with nuanced execution. It will be rich in resources available for an independent research project, that will only open thlemselves further through the intern's work. A balanced approach to deep thinking and production, and lively, inventive outreach and promotion, with the steadfast meticulous standardization of protocol needed to complete a transition of our organization from "Small Time" to "Big Fish."

Responsibilities:
Working with the Communications Associate, the intern will be asked to complete the following tasks within a six-month time frame:

• Student of architecture or design related field
• Orientation: introductory essay & personal mission statement; learning the Open Architecture Network, Salesforce and other Architecture for Humanity tools and resources
• Conduct information audit on Architecture for Humanity's projects, their assets, personnel and statistics. We're building a comprehensive organizational portfolio out of a period where this information was not so well tracked. This will take some sleuthing and outreach, and conversations with Cameron and Kate
• Work with the Web Team to develop a project archive for Architecture for Humanity projects that include statistics (Location coordinates, size, cost, beneficiaries, etc.), notes on project narrative and design, images of design, construction and completion, including the elusive "hairez," and all elements combined into interchangeable presentation slides for use by us or fans for any given event
• Assist in development of Graphics Media, including one-pagers, brochures, posters and postcards, with assistance from Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc. Specific tasks will be need-based or as determined appropriate through discussions with Communications Associate
• Research, revise and refresh the organization's WIkipedia page
• Assist the discussion of project updates through our various blog outlets?Architecture for Humanity and Students Rebuild. This will provide opportunities to get in-depth with the live development of projects in Haiti, Japan and elsewhere, and will require some communicating with designers and other project participants at Headquarters and in the field. Number of completed blogs TBD
• Assist the management of Social Media outlets, primarily Twitter, some Facebook and if there's time untangling LinkedIN. Exact amount of Social Media Activity TBD
• Tracking developments in conversation of sustainable design, community development and environmental and economic resiliency. This research task is ongoing, and will be tracked by blog digests or through Social Media-engaged conversations
• Pursuing an independent research/production project. This project would begin formally after two months and result in a project specific to the Intern's interest and broader goals
• Becoming as an ambassador/advocate for the organization. A presentation of work to Architecture for Humanity staff and visitors will be expected (via the weekly Design Open Mic series) towards the end of the Intern's term

Qualifications:
(Please only apply if you meet all requirements):

• Graphics: competency in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign
• Writing: articulate, concise, engaging
• Web: basic html and familiarity with Drupal (or the willingness and patience to learn)
• Digital photography: familiarity is a plus
• Organization: capable of establishing, following and disseminating standards of digital resource management
• Architecture: familiarity with basics of sustainable design and construction, and topical discussions

Candidate temperament:

• Flexible, curious (to a degree of nerdiness) and self-motivated
• Innovative?employs designer methodology to problem solving
• Judicious and objective

Commitment:
20-30 hours per week, for six month period

To Apply:
Please include a CV, cover letter, small set of work samples, and relevant links to work you have online (please limit total file size to 4MB) to volunteer@architectureforhumanity.org with ?Communications Intern? listed in the subject line. CVs and Portfolios will not be accepted without the applicant's name as part of the file name.

School Credit:
Architecture for Humanity is willing and able to work with any college or university internship program in order to meet the requirements of a independent study or internship course.

Source: http://architectureforhumanity.org/updates/2012-09-05-volunteer-needed-communications-intern

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