Job Title: Senior Communications Officer
Reporting To: Head of Media Relations, Communications Division
Location: London, SW1Y 5HX
Type: Temporary contract until 30 November, with the possibility of extension
Salary: £41.41 per hour
Mode: Hybrid | Minimum 2 -3 days onsite
Please note: This role is subject to a satisfactory DBS check, which will be required prior to appointment to be obtained by the candidate.
As part of the process, reference checks will also be required from the candidate’s three most recent employers, upon confirmation of appointment.
The Client is an international organisation supporting its member countries to build democratic and inclusive institutions, strengthen governance, promote justice and human rights, grow economies, boost trade and address global challenges.
The Communications Division is responsible for raising the Client's public profile in line with its Strategic Plan. Its audiences include member governments, partner organisations, civil society groups, young people and the general public.
The Communications Division delivers this through strategic communications, proactive media engagement, public relations, digital communications and multimedia content.
The Senior Communications Officer will support the implementation of the Client's communications strategy and develop and deliver communications initiatives that support the organisation's strategic priorities.
The role will provide communications advice to programme teams, develop media strategies, manage media relationships and create compelling content across press, digital, social media and multimedia channels.
The successful candidate will also provide communications support during official visits and high-profile international events, including accompanying the Secretary-General and senior officials on overseas missions where required.
- Support the development and implementation of the Client's communications strategy.
- Develop communications proposals and plans aligned with the Client's Strategic Plan.
- Manage communications activity for an assigned portfolio of thematic work areas.
- Advise programme divisions on media strategy, positioning and communications opportunities.
- Identify newsworthy stories, publicity opportunities and communications angles across programmes and projects.
- Develop effective engagement strategies before, during and after official visits by the Secretary-General and senior officials.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with journalists, editors and media organisations across the Commonwealth and internationally.
- Identify opportunities for proactive media coverage and engagement.
- Facilitate media interviews for the Client's spokespersons and senior representatives.
- Support the positioning of the Client and its senior representatives across relevant media channels.
- Provide media advice to programme teams and colleagues.
- Monitor relevant media coverage and identify opportunities or emerging issues requiring a communications response.
- Develop media strategies and engagement plans for official visits by the Secretary-General.
- Provide on-the-ground communications support during official missions.
- Accompany the Secretary-General and/or senior officials on international visits where required.
- Coordinate media engagement, interviews, briefings and communications activities during official visits.
- Work with relevant stakeholders to ensure consistent and timely messaging.
- Draft and edit high-quality press releases, statements, briefing papers, speeches and other communications materials.
- Edit technical and official documents to make them clear, compelling and engaging for external audiences.
- Ensure communications consistently and accurately reflect the Client's values, priorities and key messages.
- Contribute to the development of briefing materials for senior officials and spokespersons.
- Support the preparation of media lines and other communications materials for high-profile issues and events.
- Contribute written, photographic and multimedia content to the Client's website and social media platforms.
- Identify opportunities to showcase the Client's work through engaging digital and multimedia content.
- Develop content suitable for different audiences and communications channels.
- Support the production of high-quality audio-visual and multimedia materials.
- Identify emerging digital opportunities to increase engagement and visibility.
- Coordinate and supervise press conferences, media briefings and interviews.
- Provide communications support for major international events and high-profile meetings.
- Support media operations for events such as Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings.
- Coordinate with internal teams, journalists, speakers and other stakeholders to ensure smooth media engagement.
- Provide press office cover as part of a rota, including outside traditional working hours when required.
- Work closely with programme divisions and internal stakeholders to understand communications requirements.
- Build effective relationships with colleagues across different departments and geographical locations.
- Provide communications guidance and support to stakeholders in achieving their objectives.
- Work collaboratively to develop publicity opportunities and news angles.
- Maintain effective professional networks across media, communications and stakeholder groups.
- Mentor and coach colleagues within the Communications Division.
- Share communications expertise, knowledge and best practice with colleagues.
- Support the development of the wider Communications Division's capabilities.
- Contribute positively to a collaborative and high-performing communications environment.
Essential:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience, preferably in:
- Communications
- Journalism
- Media Studies
- International Affairs
- Public Relations
- Or another relevant discipline.
Desirable:
- Master's degree or postgraduate qualification in journalism, communications or another relevant field.
- At least seven years' experience working as a reporter or correspondent within a media organisation and/or in an external communications role.
- Strong experience in media relations and external communications.
- Experience developing and implementing communications or media strategies.
- Experience producing press releases, statements, briefing papers, speeches and other communications materials.
- Experience working with journalists and maintaining professional media relationships.
- Experience developing content for websites and social media platforms.
- Experience supporting senior figures with media and communications requirements.
- Experience working on high-profile events, media briefings or press conferences.
- Experience covering political, parliamentary, social or economic issues.
- Knowledge and understanding of international and/or diplomatic affairs.
- Experience working as a press officer or within a press office.
- Experience in news management.
- Experience in event management.
- Experience working within Caribbean, Pacific or South Asian contexts.
- Experience producing or presenting audio-visual content and on-air reporting.
- Works effectively with people from different cultural, professional and personal backgrounds.
- Treats everyone with dignity and respect.
- Demonstrates understanding of different perspectives.
- Recognises and challenges personal and organisational biases.
- Promotes inclusive and respectful working practices.
- Shares relevant information and knowledge with colleagues.
- Builds strong working relationships across teams and geographical boundaries.
- Understands and responds sensitively to colleagues' priorities and pressures.
- Uses professional networks effectively to achieve shared objectives.
- Builds long-term relationships across different cultures and regions.
- Manages challenging relationships professionally and tactfully.
- Continually develops professional communications and media expertise.
- Applies learning and experience to new situations.
- Demonstrates a willingness to learn new skills, technologies and approaches.
- Shares knowledge and best practice with colleagues.
- Identifies opportunities to improve communications activity and processes.
- Proposes practical and impactful improvements.
- Quickly understands new concepts and applies them effectively.
- Demonstrates flexibility and willingness to work beyond the immediate remit when required.
- Adapts effectively to changing priorities, deadlines and circumstances.
- Welcomes new ideas and approaches.
- Adapts communication style to suit different audiences and stakeholders.
- Takes ownership of assigned responsibilities and deliverables.
- Meets deadlines consistently.
- Ensures communications outputs are delivered on time and to the required quality.
- Works within agreed resources, processes and standards.
- Maintains accuracy and attention to detail, particularly when working to tight deadlines.
- The role is hybrid, with a minimum of 2–3 days onsite in London.
- The successful candidate may be required to work outside standard working hours as part of the press office rota.
- The role may require international travel to support official visits, meetings and major events.
- The position requires flexibility to respond to urgent media and communications requirements, particularly around high-profile events and official visits.
Success in the role will be demonstrated through:
- Effective delivery of communications strategies for assigned thematic areas.
- High-quality and timely production of press releases, statements, briefings and other communications materials.
- Strong and productive relationships with journalists and media organisations.
- Successful media support for official visits and major events.
- Increased visibility and engagement across digital and social media channels.
- Effective communications support to senior officials and programme teams.
- Successful identification of news and publicity opportunities.
- Consistent communication of the Client's values, priorities and key messages.
- Effective collaboration across the Communications Division and wider organisation.
- High-quality delivery of communications outputs within agreed deadlines.
Step Ahead is acting as an Employment Agency. Step Ahead is committed to preventing discrimination in its recruitment practices by stimulating genuine equality of opportunity.
This means that everyone is treated solely on the basis of competence and merit, regardless of age, gender, marital status, sexuality, ethnicity, racial, religious or disability considerations, and we welcome applications from all sectors of the community.
