Press Officer Job Description

Responsible Senior communications and advocacy officer to Key Executive Director, senior and regional relationship directors, regional communications staff, heads of teams Contract 2 years Hours 37.5 hours, including some evening and weekend hours Location ARTICLE 19 headquarters, London Salary Circa £28,000

Purpose

ARTICLE 19 re-branded in 2011, launching a new identity that shouts passion and expertise in the defence of freedom of expression and information. Today we are looking for an individual who can take our passion and expertise and create a media profile that conveys our messages and reflects us as an organisation in order to have greater impact.

You will join our small and dynamic Communication team who together are responsible for web, publications, events and media. You will work within the London headquarters to communicate our concerns and messages to the international media and will also spend some of your time supporting our regional offices to do the same.

You will be responsible for generating media coverage in the international media and for proactively working with colleagues worldwide to ensure our key messages are packaged appropriately and proactively targeted at influential media. You will also strengthen the integration of media work in our advocacy and programmatic work and ensure that they generate media interest.

Key responsibilities

1. To develop and implement our strategic communications plan and priorities with the view of strengthening the integration of media work throughout our programme cycle and strengthening our media profile 2. To build and maintain an address book of key contacts in the UK and international media and identify opportunities for, and secure, immediate and long-term media coverage 3. To service the media in the UK and internationally, including by responding to all queries, overseeing the development of key messages and coordinating interviews 4. To identify opportunities to engage in the media cycle, securing, writing or coordinating influential interventions, such as opinion pieces with the executive director 5. To write and/or edit press releases and other media related publications, to ensure wide distribution, and to organise media events and news conferences 6. To provide expert media advice to staff, including assisting them in writing materials for the media, identifying media opportunities, generating media coverage, servicing the media 7. To ensure consistent and high-quality outputs and maintain our brand integrity 8. To contribute to the work of the wider Communication team by helping where necessary in the management of our website, social media, print publications and other outputs.

Person specification

Requirement Essential Desirable s Education Educated to degree level Qualification in and journalism, qualific communications, or a ations relevant social science Experience Experience in a Experience of events and communications, public management knowledg relations or journalist role e Experience of Experience of working with working with the the UK and/or /international media inside and media outside one region, e.g. Eastern Europe, Experience of organising Africa, Latin media events, such as press America, Middle East conferences, interview or Asia programs or activities of a similar nature Experience of acting as a spokesperson Demonstrable experience of and giving media proactively developing media interviews campaigns with impact Experience of Demonstrable understanding working in the human of how media coverage can be rights, development achieved, particularly in of similar field the UK and with international media, and Knowledge and evidence of achieving this contacts with on behalf of an organisation journalists in international / Demonstrable understanding regional media of and a commitment to human rights or development or a similar field

Skills and Excellent written, verbal Excellent written, abilitie and presentation skills, verbal and s including the ability to presentation skills turn complex material or in Spanish, jargon into plain English Portuguese, French or Arabic Ability to communicate effectively and confidently with staff, external agencies and the general public

Excellent project management skills with ability to see projects through without supervision to tight deadlines Ability to identify news angles in our materials and activities, and translate our messages into something attractive to the media

Ability to coach others in interview techniques and media work Personal Self-starter, with a positive and proactive qualitie approach, prepared to generate new ideas and carry s them forward

Excellent multitasker who works well under pressure in a busy environment

Good interpersonal skills with an ability to predict and deal with upcoming issues Ability to work with people from different cultural backgrounds

Willingness to travel if required

How to apply

If you think that you have the skills and experience necessary for the role, and care passionately about defending freedom of expression, please respond with the following:

 Cover letter: briefly describing your motivation for applying and detailing how you meet the above specification  CV

Please submit your application to [email protected] by 29 July for interviews from 1 August.

For further information or answers to any questions: +44 20 7324 2500