Campaigns and Communications Assistant

Job description and person specification

Cruelty Free International is the leading organisation working to create a world where nobody wants or believes we need to experiment on animals.

Our dedicated team are experts in their fields, combining award-winning campaigning, political lobbying, pioneering undercover investigations, scientific and legal expertise and corporate responsibility. Educating, challenging and inspiring others across the globe to respect and protect animals, we investigate and expose the reality of life for animals in laboratories, challenge decision-makers to make a positive difference for animals, and champion better science and cruelty free living.

We are widely respected as an authority on animal testing issues and are frequently called on by governments, the media, corporations and official bodies for advice or expert opinion. We work professionally, building relationships with politicians, business leaders and officials, analysing legislation and challenging decision-making panels around the globe to act as the voice for animals in laboratories.

With a history spanning over 100 years, Cruelty Free International has achieved so much for animals. Bringing the issue to public attention with our dynamic and determined approach, we have inspired generations of politicians, decision-makers and compassionate people to make a difference for animals used in experiments. As the problem has grown, we have stepped up to meet the challenge across the world, placing the issue on the global agenda for the first time. We have saved many thousands of animals from a life of suffering in laboratories, and together we can do so much more.

Established in 1898, Cruelty Free International is firmly rooted in the early social justice movement. Our founder, Frances Power Cobbe, was a formidable women’s rights campaigner and philanthropist. Previously known as the ‘British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection’ or ‘BUAV’, today Cruelty Free International is the leading organisation working globally to consign animal experiments to the history books.

Proposed vacancy details

Job Title: Campaigns and Communications Assistant Role: This is a full time and permanent position Location: Highbury Corner, London N7 Reporting to: Director of Campaigns and Communications Salary: £19,500 per annum

Benefits

 12 month interest free season ticket loan  24 working days’ paid holiday, in addition to Public Holidays’  Employer’s Ethical Investor’s Stakeholder Pension Scheme  Generous training and professional development allowance  Flexible working hours  Childcare Voucher Scheme  Ride-to-Work Bicycle Scheme

Terms and conditions

6 month probationary period

Summary of post

Ending animal experiments worldwide will always be the most challenging of tasks. This post reflects our commitment to build on and develop our campaign and communications activities to achieve our vision to create a world in which nobody wants or believes we need to experiment on animals.

Working as a key member of the Campaign and Communications team, you will develop and co-ordinate campaigning activities across the organisation and deliver projects with corporate partners and stakeholders to create positive change for animals. You will assist with the delivery of communications outputs to ensure our audiences hear our high impact message.

With a keen eye for detail and the ability to work collaboratively and to pressing deadlines; you will utilise excellent organisational and research skills, as well as your flair for creativity in order to deliver on-message supporter-focused campaigns, projects and presence at sectoral events. You will use your excellent digital communications, copywriting and IT skills to assist in the delivery of communications output to key audiences to compliment the organisation’s vision, mission and values.

The post holder will be required to undertake occasional domestic and international travel and out-of hours working as necessary.

Job description

1. Support the Director of Campaigns and Communications and Campaigns Officer in the coordination, delivery and monitoring of a range of campaigns and projects, taking responsibility for the project management of key outputs, as required.

2. Undertake research and analysis to underpin campaigns, communications and project activity; and develop and maintain suitable administrative systems on behalf of the Campaigns and Communications Team.

3. Assist the Communications Officer with the day-to-day operation of the organisation’s traditional and digital communications, including websites, email marketing, social media and print.

4. Assist with copy writing for a range of digital and traditional communications, in line with agreed messaging and tone of voice guidelines and in accordance with sign-off procedures, to promote our work to a broad range of target audiences.

5. Assist the Campaigns Officer in coordinating the organisation’s attendance at supporter-focused events.

6. Develop and maintain high professional standards, and work with colleagues drawn from across the organisation to assist in the delivery of project work, as required.

7. At the request of the Director of Campaigns and Communications undertake any other duties consistent with the post and assist with other areas of work as required.

Person specification

Essential Criteria Expertise, competence and skills

1. Strong and proven organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workloads and manage multiple tasks in order to meet deadlines

2. Demonstrable creative thought and the aptitude to proactively problem solve

3. A keen eye for detail with the ability to research and analyse information and summarise key points for quick digestion

4. Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with international and corporate partners as well as internal stakeholders

5. Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills with the ability to simplify complex and detailed information for a wide audience

6. Solid understanding of digital communications platforms, including website content management systems and social media

7. The ability to take instructions, and work well within a team and with colleagues in different disciplines across the organisation

Qualifications (IT, academic, vocational)

8. Educated to degree standard or equivalent

Experience

9. Excellent IT skills including experience using Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Internet Explorer, email and social media

(Desirable) 10. At least one years’ proven experience of working within a campaigns, communications, events or project-focussed environment

(Desirable) 11. Experience of using a website content management system and/or administration of organisational social media accounts

(Desirable) 12. Experience of using Photoshop, InDesign or video editing software

(Desirable) 13. Experience of working with internationally-based partners or colleagues

Specific qualities (e.g. attitudes)

14. Commitment to animal welfare and the vision and mission of Cruelty Free International

15. A positive and flexible approach to the work and willingness to travel internationally and work at weekends upon occasion

16. Knowledge of the issues affecting Cruelty Free International as a small, not-for-profit organisation working to create a world where nobody wants or believes we need to experiment on animals