About IDRF
IDRF (International Development and Relief Foundation) is a registered Canadian charitable organization dedicated to empowering disadvantaged communities around the world. Since 1984, IDRF has provided effective humanitarian aid and sustainable development programs — without discrimination — based on the Islamic principles of human dignity, self-reliance, and social justice.
In the last fiscal year, IDRF reached over 4.3 million people across 34 countries through six core programs: Emergency Relief, Food Security, Health, Education, Economic Development, and Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH). IDRF partners with grassroots organizations and local experts to deliver programs that are culturally sensitive, community-led, and built for long-term impact.
The Opportunity
IDRF is looking for a Communications & Content Manager who can lead our content strategy, own our email marketing program, grow our public presence through media and thought leadership, and manage our Social Media Coordinator.
This is a hands-on leadership role that sits at the intersection of content creation and external communications. You will develop content strategy — deciding what to say, to whom, on which channel, and at what stage of the donor journey — and write high-impact content yourself, from donor reports and blog posts to press releases and fundraising appeals. You will also build and manage IDRF’s media relationships, secure coverage for our programs and impact, and position IDRF’s leadership as trusted voices in the Canadian humanitarian and charitable sector.
You will collaborate closely with our Senior Graphic Designer, who leads the visual and creative strategy side of campaigns, to develop integrated work where messaging and visual storytelling reinforce each other.
This role is ideal for someone who can write compelling copy that moves donors, craft a press release that earns coverage, thinks strategically about audience and channel, and is energized by the challenge of communicating a humanitarian mission to diverse Canadian audiences — from mosque communities to media outlets to corporate partners to the broader public.
Content Strategy & Creation
- Develop and own IDRF’s content strategy: audience segmentation, messaging frameworks, editorial calendar, channel planning, and content themes that support fundraising and awareness goals.
- Write high-quality content including blog posts, donor impact reports, campaign narratives, fundraising appeals, website copy, email campaigns, and thought leadership pieces.
- Develop core messaging frameworks and narratives that bring IDRF’s programs and impact to life through storytelling that encourages giving.
- Collaborate with our Senior Graphic Designer on campaign concepting: you bring the message, audience insight, and channel strategy; they bring the visual concept and format recommendation. Together, you develop integrated campaign approaches.
- Ensure all content aligns with IDRF’s brand voice, Islamic values, and messaging guidelines, while remaining accessible and compelling to broad Canadian audiences.
- Research, brainstorm, and produce SEO-focused content (blogs, guides, landing page copy) to drive organic traffic and donor awareness.
- Leverage AI tools to build content efficiencies while maintaining quality and authenticity.
Public Relations & Communications
- Develop and execute IDRF’s public relations strategy to grow the organization’s visibility, credibility, and presence in Canadian media and public discourse.
- Write and distribute press releases, media advisories, and public statements related to IDRF’s programs, emergency responses, campaign milestones, and organizational developments.
- Build and maintain relationships with journalists, editors, and media outlets — particularly those covering humanitarian issues, the Canadian charitable sector, and Muslim community affairs.
- Proactively pitch stories and develop media angles that position IDRF’s work, impact data, and field stories as newsworthy and relevant to current public conversations.
- Develop and grow IDRF’s thought leadership program: identify opportunities for IDRF leadership to contribute op-eds, commentary, panel appearances, podcast interviews, and conference presentations on humanitarian, development, and faith-based philanthropy topics.
- Draft thought leadership content (op-eds, speeches, talking points, commentary) on behalf of IDRF’s senior leadership, ensuring alignment with organizational positions and messaging.
- Monitor media coverage and public conversation relevant to IDRF’s mission areas (humanitarian aid, international development, Canadian Muslim community, charitable sector trends). Surface opportunities and flag risks to the Director.
- Support crisis communications as needed, working with the Director of Marketing & Communications to develop messaging, media responses, and public statements in time-sensitive situations.
Email Marketing
- Own IDRF’s email marketing program end to end: strategy, segmentation, content, automation sequences, donor journeys, and campaign execution.
- Write email copy for fundraising appeals, donor stewardship, newsletters, and automated sequences.
- Plan and manage the email calendar in coordination with the Director of Marketing & Communications and Digital Marketing Manager to align with campaign timing and fundraising priorities.
- Monitor deliverability, open rates, click-through rates, and conversion metrics. Optimize based on performance data.
- Maintain list hygiene and ensure compliance with CASL and applicable anti-spam regulations.
- Coordinate with the design team on email templates and visual assets.
Team Management
- Directly manage our Social Media Coordinator, including setting priorities, reviewing content, providing feedback, and supporting professional development.
- Provide strategic direction for social media, including platform strategy, audience growth, content themes, and posting cadence.
- Direct video content strategy, ensuring video aligns with broader campaign narratives, content goals, and communications priorities.
- Maintain and manage the content calendar covering social media, blog, email, video, and media/PR activities.
- Conduct regular check-ins to review upcoming content, social analytics, and capacity.
Donor Communications & Reporting
- Produce donor-facing impact reports, mosque reports, and partner communications that summarize IDRF’s programmatic impact with clarity, dignity, and transparency.
- Support the creation of fundraising collateral, presentation decks, and event materials in coordination with the design team.
- Track content, email, and media performance metrics and report insights to the Director. Use data to refine content and communications strategy.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with our Senior Graphic Designer on campaign creative concepting, bringing messaging and audience insight to complement their visual direction and format recommendations.
- Collaborate with our Digital Marketing Manager on ad copy, landing page content, and email-to-ad alignment.
- Work with the Programs team to gather impact data, beneficiary stories, and field updates for content creation and media pitches.
- Coordinate with Fund Development and Finance on donor communication timing, compliance, and receipting language.
- Collaborate with IDRF’s senior leadership on thought leadership opportunities, media appearances, and public positioning.
What We’re Looking For
- 5+ years of experience in content marketing, communications, or a combined role, with a strong portfolio of written work across digital channels and/or media.
- Experience writing press releases, media pitches, and/or thought leadership content (op-eds, commentary, speeches).
- Demonstrated experience with email marketing platforms (Mailchimp, HubSpot, or similar) including segmentation, automation, and performance analysis.
- Experience managing or mentoring at least one direct report.
- Exceptional writing and editing skills with the ability to adapt tone for diverse audiences and formats — from a fundraising email to a press release to a donor report to social copy.
- Comfort collaborating with creative and design leads — the ability to articulate content needs and work iteratively with a creative strategist.
- Understanding of SEO content principles and experience producing content that drives organic traffic.
- Familiarity with social media platforms, video content strategy, content calendars, and scheduling tools.
- Comfort working with AI content tools while maintaining editorial judgment and brand integrity.
- Commitment to IDRF’s mission and values.
Strong Assets
- Experience in the non-profit, charitable, or faith-based sector, particularly in fundraising communications, media relations, or donor engagement.
- Established relationships with Canadian media, particularly outlets covering humanitarian issues, the charitable sector, or Muslim community affairs.
- Familiarity with WordPress or similar CMS platforms, with the ability to make content updates directly on the website.
- Experience producing content and communications that resonate with Muslim Canadian audiences while remaining inclusive and accessible to diverse communities.
- Knowledge of Canadian anti-spam legislation (CASL) and donor communication compliance requirements.
- Experience developing thought leadership programs or securing media placements for organizational leaders.
How to Apply
Please submit your resume, a cover letter, and 2–3 writing samples that demonstrate your range across content and communications (e.g., a fundraising appeal, a blog post, a press release, an email campaign, an op-ed, or a donor report). Writing samples are essential — this is a writing-first role, and we want to see how you communicate across different formats and audiences.
Send your application to [email protected]
IDRF is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.
We thank all applicants for their interest. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
