Communications & Administrative Specialist , Sanford School of Public Policy

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America's leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives that each member of our community brings. As the Communications & Administrative Specialist (Sanford School of Public Policy), you'll play a vital role in advancing communications, marketing, and operational excellence across a dynamic portfolio of public policy initiatives.

You'll serve as a key connector-supporting the World Food Policy Center (WFPC), the Southeast Asia Research Group (SEAREG), and the broader Sanford Communications & Marketing team-helping bring important research and events to life for diverse audiences.

In this multifaceted role, you will support communications activities, digital engagement, event execution, and administrative operations.

Work Performed

WFPC Communications and Events (40%)

• This person will be responsible for managing the WFPC's website and events. They will also help generate communications that are intended to summarize and publicize the center's activities to wider audiences. The general distribution of WFPC activities can be divided into the following three categories:

• Website Maintenance: The successful applicant will manage the WFPC's communications strategy, working closely with the Sanford communications team. Responsibilities will include reviewing the WFPC's current website and devising strategies to highlight recent center activities to the public. A non-exhaustive list of activities includes the following:
  
  
  
  • Generate narratives or articles to capture recent project activities and events;
  • Develop and disseminate WFPC newsletters;
  • Maintain current project descriptions to inform wider audiences of WFPC activities;
  • Generate ideas to publicize the work of WFPC, both on the Duke campus and for external audiences
  • Update profiles on website for WFPC staff and students
  • Post journal papers, news mentions, podcasts, videos/webinars
  • Maintain and update WFPC course listings
  • Work with WFPC Associate Director to maintain list of student internships
  
  
  
  

• Writing and Editing Support: Regular WFPC outputs include reports, summary memos and presentations. There are also annual communications with sponsors and external funders. This position would proofread WFPC written products and engage with transcription services to assist data collection on qualitative projects.

• Events Support: The WFPC holds 1-2 event in support of the Center's work each semester. The successful applicant Communications Specialist would work with the WFPC Associate Director to plan these events. In addition, the incumbent will provide assistance and support of wider Sanford events, including Distinguished Lectures. Activities could include:

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  • Supporting the planning of school and WFPC events, including organizing outreach and promotion, designing promotional graphics using Canva or similar tools for social media and outreach materials, promoting events through Sanford and Duke channels, and working collaboratively with faculty and staff.
  • Managing and staffing events, including: scheduling and organizing meetings; interacting with vendors; maintaining mailing lists; assisting with internal space and catering logistics; arranging videography/photography; helping draft post-event social media content; generating summary reports; among other activities.
  
  
  
  

• Sanford administrative support (40%)
  
  
  
  • This person will devote the equivalent of two days per week working directly with the Sanford Communications and Marketing team. A non-exhaustive list of activities includes the following: scheduling meeting rooms, orchestrating Concur for the Communications and Marketing team, ordering supplies, managing calendars, updating websites, reserving rooms, sending timecard reminders, supporting event logistics for Distinguished Lectures and other Dean priority events, supporting multimedia projects and podcasts, and taking notes at staff meetings.
  
  
  
  

• SEAREG (15%)
  
  
  
  • Duke is the institutional home of the Southeast Asia Research Group (SEAREG). This person will be the primary Communications contact for the initiative and will be responsible for tracking project information and generating written materials and social media content for the group. They will manage the group's website, updating calls for papers and other application windows. This could also include drafting or distributing news releases to describe SEAREG activities. They would also help manage the group's mailing lists. This person will report directly to Duke's primary SEAREG manager.
  
  
  
  

• Other Responsibilities (5%)
  
  
  
  • Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.
  
  
  
  

Work generally requires four years of clerical or research experience to acquire strong skills in administrative or project research responsibilities as well as accepted office management, communications and research practices.

A bachelor's degree in a field of study directly related to the specific position may be substituted for the education and two years of the experience requirement.

OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

In addition, the successful candidate will possess the following qualities/attributes:

The ideal candidate would have 4-year degree in communications, graphic design, political science, marketing, other social sciences. Be organized, detail-oriented, collaborative and write well. The ideal candidate will have 1-2 years of professional communications experience, including maintaining websites. Extensive college exposure to communications strategies may also be considered. Familiarity with public policy and food system issues would be considered an asset.

At Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy, you'll join a mission-driven community tackling the world's most pressing challenges.

Apply now and help amplify impactful research and connect communities.