Position: Communications and Campaigns Director
Organization: Amazon Frontlines
Country: Ecuador (strong preference); Americas acceptable
Work modality: Full-time
Supervisor: Executive Director
Position overview
Amazon Frontlines is seeking a visionary and strategic Communications Director to lead and strengthen our communications strategy in support of Indigenous rights and environmental justice. This role is designed for an experienced manager and leader who can elevate the visibility of our work at the local, national, and international levels while fostering a cohesive and empowered communications team. The Communications Director will work closely with the Program and Development teams to align communication strategies with organizational goals and ensure that Indigenous voices are at the forefront of our efforts.
The ideal candidate is based in Ecuador (not required but strongly preferred) or another country within the Americas, with flexibility for remote work with the ability to spend 3-4 months each year in the Amazon basin region. We encourage applications from across the Americas. This position is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the Amazon and beyond.
Key responsibilities:
1. Strategic leadership
- Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive communications strategy aligned with Amazon Frontlines’ mission, goals and objectives for international, national and local communications.
- Position the Communications team as a strategic pillar within the organization, ensuring active participation in decision-making and planning processes.
- Foster an inclusive and creative work environment, integrating regular brainstorming sessions with Program teams and Indigenous partners.
- Establish clear annual, monthly, and weekly priorities across different mediums and audiences (local, national, international, internal, and external).
- Ensure all campaigns and communication strategy and output center Indigenous leadership and elevate their voices globally.
2. Team management and internal collaboration
- Represent the communications team with other internal teams and external allies.
- Skillfully delegate tasks between team members and effectively and continuously track and help monitor team activities, ensuring balance and quality action.
- Build and mentor a high-performing communications team, supporting professional growth, innovative thinking and collaboration.
- Foster a respectful and cohesive working relationship between Communications and other teams, and prioritize and streamline workflow, ensuring quality and timely output.
- Communicate clearly and follow through with other departments and external partners on strategic agreements and initiatives.
3. Campaign development and execution
- Work with the team to help design and execute grassroots-inspired advocacy campaigns that elevate Indigenous voices and mobilize global support for environmental justice.
- Balance local and international communication efforts, leveraging partnerships with media, influencers, and coalitions to advance strategic goals.
- Work with the team to establish and manage an editorial calendar with clear processes and roles for content creation, review, and publication.
- Support the team to engage with coalition partners and Indigenous leadership, journalists, influencers, and high-profile allies to amplify AF’s reach.
4. Content creation and media relations
- Oversee the production of reports, newsletters, digital content, research, fundraising and program materials, ensuring high editorial quality.
- Work with the team to ensure adequate crisis communications and rapid response protocols.
5. Monitoring and impact evaluation:
- With the support of development and communications team members, track and assess the effectiveness of communication strategies and campaigns.
- Provide regular feedback loops and learning opportunities for the team.
- Develop and manage budgets and team development plans.
Qualifications and experience
Essential requirements
- Minimum 10 years of experience in communications, advocacy and/or campaigning.
- Understanding of Indigenous rights, environmental justice, and climate change issues.
- Professional fluency in Spanish
- Proven leadership experience in building, managing and mentoring diverse teams.
- Ability to travel to Indigenous communities at least twice a year.
- Authentic and open interpersonal communication, a good sense of humor, and joie de vivre.
Desirable qualifications
- Proficient English writing and speaking skills.
- Background in community-based communication or development communication.
- Basic knowledge on fundraising and donor communications not required but considered an asset.
- Experience in offline communication strategies and working with traditional media.
- Established networks with media outlets, influencers, and allied organizations.
- Familiarity with the latest trends on digital, social media and AI-powered communications.
- Capacity to foster creativity and innovation within the team.
What we are looking for
- A strategic thinker and energetic doer who can align communications with organizational goals and build trust with the rest of the teams.
- An experienced leader who can successfully manage and support the team through establishing clear priorities and processes for effective and efficient content creation, publication and distribution, and effective delegation.
- A creative visionary and risk-taker who can transform ambitious ideas into high-quality outputs and elevate the visibility of Indigenous-led campaigns.
- An empathetic and collaborative team player who can foster a creative, innovative, nurturing, respectful and empowering work culture.
- An advocate who can position the Communications team as a core and strategic function within Amazon Frontlines, its allies and the movement.
- A skilled manager and coach who can build team members’ capacities, support professional growth, and nurture and support them to deliver their best performance.
Physical and Travel Requirements
This position involves frequent travel and work in diverse environments, including occasional trips to remote locations in the rainforest. Team members must be able to travel with reasonable accommodations as needed and must have the flexibility to adapt to the physical challenges of various travel conditions, which may include variations in climate, terrain, and rainforest ecosystems, as well as limited access to medical treatment and care. Travel may involve transportation by foot, canoe, car, and/or small aircraft to reach remote areas. You must be able to carry up to 13 kilograms (approximately 28 pounds) of equipment during travel and fieldwork.
How to Apply
Please send your resume and a cover letter explaining why you are the ideal candidate for this position. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled or the right candidate is found.
Amazon Frontlines is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, political beliefs, age, gender, sexual orientation, or class. In line with our commitment to diversity, we strongly encourage individuals from Indigenous peoples and Afro-descendant communities to apply.
