Position description
Fern’s communications team is key to our flat structure; the communications team is made up of 4 full-time positions (2 based in Brussels and 2 based in the UK) and hosts an internship programme. The strategic communications role is the bridge between campaign and the communications teams, allowing us to not just think about what to communicate, but why we communicate it, to whom and with what aims.
This role is both advisory and operational. The chosen candidate will support campaigners to plan and execute impactful communications, and the communications team to deliver on agreed activities.
This will require challenging campaigners’ communications and advocacy priorities (and the tensions between them) and identifying unforeseen opportunities that could help them achieve campaign goals. The strategic communications adviser also supports campaigners to shape and develop content with compelling stories and narratives, and ensure projects are led to completion. This position requires strong interpersonal and facilitation skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to work under pressure and to propose how to deal with competing priorities. High flexibility and adaptability are required (i.e., the ability to respond to unforeseen developments in a timely manner and to cover colleagues’ work in case of absence).
Key Responsibilities
- Offer targeted strategic communications advice and agree high-impact communications. This will mainly be done through joining campaign meetings and co-designing Terms of Reference for products and events (ensuring they have clear audience, narrative and impact indicators). Sometimes it may also be necessary to lead on delivering these;
- Keep abreast of relevant news to identify and share communications opportunities;
- Build and maintain relationships with a broad network of NGOs and think-tanks;
- Cover the work of the communications coordinator, media adviser and communications project manager during absences;
- Join communications team meetings to monitor workplan progress, co-create future workplans and alert the team to comms related discussions at campaign team meetings;
- Work closely with colleagues across different teams, sharing knowledge and expertise to promote an inclusive work environment;
- Work closely with partners and propose ways to communicate that open space for voices that are under-represented in media and policymaking;
- Help shape Fern’s approach towards strategic communications in the long-term strategy;
- Input to Fern’s other long-term strategies and develop annual workplans together with other team members;
- Co-management of the organisation (after induction period);
- Sign off all French language material (after induction period);
- Travel within Europe (and possibly to tropical forest countries) will be necessary.
Qualifications
Essential: (equivalent experiences will be considered):
- At least 5 years’ experience working in a high-pressure communications environment;
- Working on civil society campaigns targeting EU and/or national policies;
- Thinking strategically, carefully choosing the highest-impact option out of many possible avenues and being able to come up with solid strategies to reach a defined audience;
- Working with a multi-cultural team with different communications needs and styles;
- Demonstrated writing and editing skills;
- Fluency in French and English;
- Emotional intelligence to be able to listen, to be challenged, resolve conflicts, express needs constructively, and build consensus;
- Working independently (good organisational skills) and proactively, without supervision;
- Ability to set and respect deadlines;
- Enthusiasm and energy to take on new challenges;
- Interest in and understanding of wider evolving communications and media trends and how Fern should respond.
Desirable skills: (equivalent experiences will be considered):
- Previous strategic communications experience;
- A practical understanding of the functioning of EU institutions;
- Facilitating meetings involving a broad range of views, interest groups and cultural approaches;
- Experience of working in a media environment;
- Knowledge of content management systems (CMS), database and email platforms, and image editing software (Fern uses Typo3, HubSpot, Canva).
Application instructions
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