Senior International Press Officer At Article 19

Responsible to: Director of Communications and Campaigns

Key Relationships: Senior directors for law and policy and programmes; Executive Director; Regional

directors and heads of teams; Regional communications officers; Global content

leads

Working Hours: Full time (37.5 hours a week)

Salary: Circa £44,000 – £47,000 gross per annum

Location: London, UK or Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Special conditions: Remote working available with occasional overseas travel (based on WHO

guidance and security/ risk assessments for COVID-19)

ABOUT ARTICLE 19

Established in 1987, ARTICLE 19 works for a world where all people everywhere can freely express themselves and actively engage in public life without fear of discrimination. Our mission is to promote and defend the universal human rights of freedom of expression and information around the world, through international advocacy, campaigns, legal analysis, and regional and national projects. Our international secretariat is based in London, however we have established regional teams based in the Americas, Asia, Europe, MENA and Africa.

ROLE PURPOSE

The Senior International Press Officer (SIPO) occupies a pivotal role within ARTICLE 19’s strategic communications function. The primary goal of the SIPO is to ensure that strong collaborative relationships are developed with the media and press focusing on on-going partnerships and areas of potential growth to ensure ARTICLE 19’s point of view is visible and impactful. The post holder leads on developing systems that will have a long-term impact on the organization, use entrepreneurial and creative approach to problem-solving, and the take advantage of emerging opportunities to drive the press relations function proactively.

DEPARTMENT PURPOSE

The International Communications Team based in London, leads on strategic communications for the organisation in order to communicate ARTICLE 19’s role in the world, expand our influence and build resilience for our work. We work alongside all regional and thematic teams in ARTICLE 19, especially with the law and policy team, to develop communications strategies that further the objectives of our human rights strategy. The team has overall responsibility for reputational issues in communications, media work, new media and events. The team also contributes to quality control processes, and supports communications strategy and planning, working with teams on a wide range of projects.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

· Lead on developing, co-ordinating, and implementing integrated media plans to ensure relevant media opportunities are fully realised and generate consistent coverage for ARTICLE 19’s strategic work, across a range of international English language, online news and broadcast channels;

· Lead on identifying and approaching potential media and press outlets to develop effective relationships with media and press contacts, ensuring positive and collaborative relationships are maintained

· Advise on and support media relations work for teams who work with Spanish, French, Arabic, Portuguese, and Russian language media when required.

· Ensure rapid and accurate responses to media enquiries including the co-ordination of reasonable out–of-hours response.

· Draft, review and publish media releases, and statements, through coordination with relevant team colleagues, including briefing materials for key spokespersons.

· Advise on and draft opeds as required and outline features to cover major stories by identifying opportunities or bringing issues to the attention of Director of Communications as appropriate.

· Lead on the development of the Watching Brief, coordinate proactive media responses in consultation with colleagues by maintaining regular detailed awareness of the international news agenda.

· Develop and implement a plan to increase the visibility of the CEO as key spokesperson for ARTICLE 19.

· Manage the ARTICLE 19 media and press database, ensuring coordination with colleagues especially concerning compliance during the import of all new data.

· Lead on preparation of regular analytical press and media reporting to the Director of Communications.

· Advise and support spokespersons during interview preparation, and coach staff on press and media approaches as appropriate.

· Supervise up-to-date media monitoring and archive including external subscriptions; evaluating media coverage and PR activity for internal and external reports.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL

· Educated to degree level or equivalent

· Detailed knowledge of the international media and press landscape in executing media work across multiple channels, including social channels, video platforms and audio platforms

· Excellent writing skills with the ability to identify and translate complex news issues and stories into content useful for the media and press

· Practical working knowledge of using media databases and media monitoring tools to analyse and report on media coverage

· Excellent communication skills including the ability to engage, inspire and persuade

· Ability to develop trust and strong collaborative working relationships and the ability to work both collaboratively, flexibly in teams to build sustainable relationships at all levels.

· Strong aptitude for detail while working under pressure to meet deadlines

· Demonstrable good quality use of ICT, including collaborative platforms and Microsoft Office software

Experience

· Experience of working with diverse range of international, regional and national partners

· Extensive front-line press office experience, working directly with journalists, press and

media

· Experience of managing media related events, and of developing media partnerships

· Experience of crisis communications or reputation management situations is desirable

Other requirements

· Must have the right to work in the UK or the Netherlands

· Ability to work in a multi-cultural work environment and commitment to equal opportunities and non-discrimination

· Commitment to the aims and objectives of ARTICLE 19 and a human-rights-based approach

DESIRABLE

· Working knowledge of an ARTICLE 19 working language (French, Portuguese, Spanish and Bangla) in addition to English

· A demonstrable passion for human rights, and the role of freedom of expression for creating robust and engaged societies

· Experience of crisis communications or reputation management situations

· Flexibility to undertake occasional travel with possible overnight stays away from home

Application deadline: 4th November 2021*

*Please note that we will be accepting applications on a rolling basis for this position and the job advert may be withdrawn before the closing date if a suitable candidate is found.