About this role
Communications and Marketing Specialist
Project Description: Marketing and communications professionals, your skills are requested by municipality workers in Costa Rica who wish to promote opportunities and services among citizens.
The Municipality is both a town and canton (similar to a county) southeast of downtown San José, the capital of Costa Rica. In 2016, the Municipality opened a press office to centralize and optimize communications as well as to distribute useful information to community members. The press office has since employed various promotions, such as brochures, billboards, and multi-channel advertisements. Despite these efforts, the municipality recognizes there is still much more work to do. For example, there have been missed opportunities to inform the community of major events, such as job fairs, cultural activities, and tax collection events, resulting in low attendance levels. By strengthening the municipality’s marketing and communications, local stakeholders aim to better support the community’s interests and needs. A better-informed citizenry will be more engaged and exhibit higher levels of satisfaction with their local government.
As a Communications and Marketing Specialist, you will collaborate with the local government to develop a cohesive and holistic communications strategy. Together, you will expand the press office’s reach and their tools’ effectiveness. You will also identify opportunities to connect municipality offices and stakeholders in a shared goal.
Required Skills: Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or hospitality and tourism. AND Three years of experience in tourism marketing and/or hospitality planning and project implementation.
Living Conditions: The type of housing assigned will depend on availability at the time and place of the Volunteer’s assignment. Housing may take various forms, including independent living in an apartment, studio, house, or sharing with a family within a family compound. The Volunteer will be able to walk, bike, or use public transportation to commute.
Activities: Design a new communications and marketing strategy that results in improved information dissemination, both internally and externally, while remaining aligned with the municipality’s objectives. Design promotional and informational campaigns for municipal programs, events, services and activities. Create digital content, graphic designs, audiovisuals, and other resources on the municipality’s social media platforms and external channels. Coach municipal staff on customer service, assertive communication, and managing communication outlets.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as English tutoring and coaching youth sports.
Training: After two weeks of orientation on topics such as health and safety, you will move to an urban community where you will collaborate with the Municipal govevernment. You will work with the partner and your community to assess the local needs and develop a work plan in line with their established goals.
Peace Corps/Costa Rica will support you if you choose to work with a local tutor who can further advance your language skills to better connect with the community.
Job Highlights: Exchange creative communications and marketing strategies with other professionals in the field. Strengthen Spanish language skills through daily collaborations and interactions. Experience Costa Rica’s rich culture and the pura vida lifestyle.