Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 24 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across 50 countries, our 8,300 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.
Action Against Hunger USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network. As an independent NGO, Action Against Hunger USA currently manages operations in 8 countries: Kenya, South Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zambia, and Haiti. Action Against Hunger-USA has over $100 million in programs and approximately 1,800 permanent staff based in New York City, Washington D.C, Nairobi, and country offices. Additional growth is anticipated.
Job Summary
Action Against Hunger’s External Relations Department seeks a Special Events Officer to contribute to design and fully implement purposeful and engaging experiences that will deepen audiences’ connection to our mission. The successful candidate believes in the power of storytelling to mobilize support for humanitarian crises and the fight to end hunger.
The Special Events Officer will be responsible for implementing an annual engagement calendar designed to accelerate ACF’s strategic goals. They will execute a varied events strategy intended to raise revenue, acquire new supporters, increase brand visibility, enable advocacy opportunities, support board leadership, or facilitate moments of appreciation for our community.
This annual plan includes signature events such as our annual gala and our 'Together Against Hunger' event. This role will also oversee more intimate in-person experiences across the United States, as well as digital offerings available to audiences worldwide. We are looking for a candidate with demonstrated experience managing galas or other large-scale signature events while feeling comfortable pivoting to smaller, more intimate gatherings.
The ideal candidate will take ownership of event logistics and recommend changes to help advance and professionalize our approach. They will work respectfully and diplomatically with diverse teams, be highly energetic, thrive under pressure, and bring creativity and a sense of humor to work every day.
Purpose: Produce special events for our current and prospective audiences, engaging them in Action Against Hunger’s global mission.
Engagement: Work with diverse audiences and internal and external teams to design and execute plans to enhance Action Against Hunger’s profile in the US market.
Delivery: Identify, develop, and lead a team of consultants who will execute a strategic plan designed to meet the goals of brand awareness and engagement indicators.
Essential Job Duties
Lead the end-to-end detail planning and execution of special events, including but not limited to conferences, fundraisers, and community and partnership engagement initiatives. Collaborate with External Relations, cross-functional staff, external partners, donors, and organizational leadership to oversee the successful execution of special events. Effectively communicate event strategies, goals, successes, and challenges. Develop and oversee event production processes and timelines. Develop and oversee event production written collateral. Manage vendor relationships, production partners, consultants, and other strategic external stakeholders. Collaborate with corporate and foundations team to develop and leverage partnerships that elevate the brand through events and activities. Oversee event budgets and ensure effective spending while maintaining high standards of quality and impact and timely payments. Conduct post-event evaluations to assess success and areas of improvement.Supervisory Responsibilities
Identify and supervise a team of external vendors, consultants, and production teams supporting a high-performing events strategy.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. During event prep, execution and breakdown, the employee frequently is required to walk. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 50 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with many interruptions. Must be able to proofread their own work accurately so that only minor corrections are needed on an infrequent basis. To travel to the field, the employee must attest to a level of physical fitness capable of enduring physically difficult, highly stressful situations which may include the necessity to walk long distances, carry a backpack or other equipment of up to 50 pounds, to ride long distances over very poor road/water conditions, to eat a limited diet and/or to reside in potentially uncomfortable housing or tents. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Working Conditions, Travel and Environment
The duties of the job require regular job attendance five days per week. Must be available to occasionally work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required by contact with the missions, mission security, or other obligations. Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business travel as well as to the missions if appropriate. While visiting the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as to infectious diseases.
Gender Equality Commitments & Zero Tolerance to Abuse
Foster an environment that reinforces values of people of all genders, and equal access to information. Provide a work environment where people of all genders must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance. Promote a safe, secure, and respectful environment for all stakeholders, particularly for children, people we serve, and members of staff. Help to prevent any type of abuse including workplace harassment and sexual abuse and exploitation. Respect the people we serve regardless of gender, sex orientation, disability, religion, race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status. Value and respect all cultures.Required Qualifications and Professional Experience
College degree and/or 5-7 years of experience managing special events. Experience and ability to work effectively with organizational Executives and Senior teams, board leadership, donors, and staff. Established strong relationships with vendors and production partners. A blend of creative and analytical skills. Strong communication skills appropriate to a virtual and in-person work environment. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) as well as proficiency in CRM software and project management software. Interest in international development, humanitarian work, and nonprofit events. Experience in this sector is a plus.Required Skills & Competencies
Understanding of technical aspects of charitable giving, marketing partnerships, and sponsorships as they relate to events. Highly organized with strong project management skills. Skilled problem solver, adept at identifying challenges and recommending solutions proactively. Creativity, adaptability, and tenacity in pursuit of executing polished and inspiring special events.