Communications Officer

Job Purpose

This position will be an important interface between International Alert’s global Advocacy and Communications team and our country and thematic programme teams. Under the guidance of the Communications Manager, the role will provide support to programme teams on the creation of a range of communications outputs.

It will have a specific focus on supporting the production of our publications in multiple languages, including process management, dissemination and supplier relations. Experience editing publications and an eye for detail will be essential.

The position will also play a key role in supporting the delivery of our external events, working in close collaboration with the Senior Communications Officer.

Duties and Responsibilities

Publications
• Serve as an in-house editor for the Advocacy and Communications team;
• Manage the production of publications for the organisation, including contributing to the production of the organisation’s annual report;
• Provide publishing advice to programme staff based in London and in our overseas offices, establish production schedules, obtain quotes, provide quality control and troubleshoot problems;
• Manage and liaise with external vendors, including editors, translators, graphic designers, printers, photographers, etc.;
• Coordinate dissemination planning for publications between the Advocacy and Communications team and programme teams, including drafting key messages for use on social media; and
• Work with the Communications Manager in designing and implementing policies and systems relating to content production, sign-off processes and quality control.

Events
• Support the planning and delivery of priority external events in line with organisational and programme influencing strategies;
• Oversee logistics for events, including developing plans, assisting with budgets and applications, and coordinating stakeholder participation;
• Manage Alert’s calendar of events, particularly organisational participation in and preparation for global annual conferences; and
• Assist in creating key messages for marketing the events via the website, social media, newsletters, etc.

Content and branding
• Ensure communications outputs comply with our brand identity and quality standards; and
• Manage and update our brand templates and online templating system for use by staff.

Advisory support and services
• Under the guidance of the Communications Manager, advise programme teams on communications approaches and processes, including dissemination planning;
• In collaboration with the Senior Communications Officer, undertake brown bags, webinars and training in English and French (and other languages, if fluent) to build organisational communications skills; and
• Provide ad hoc support with checking translated content between English and French (and other languages, if proficient) and translating short bits of content (e.g. social media posts, news headlines, etc.) into French (and other languages, if proficient) as needed.

Contributing to the effective working of the team and to Alert generally
• Contribute to team-wide communications and knowledge management;
• Participate in organisation-wide events and discussions on related topics/projects as and when required; and
• Any other tasks as may be reasonably required.
Travel requirements

Although this position is not likely to include extensive travel, the postholder should nevertheless be prepared to travel to regions and HQ in London. However, international travel is currently suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Talents

At Alert, we have introduced Talent Management to our business model as we believe talented people are crucial to the success of our work. We believe all individuals are talented and success comes in matching the right talents to the right roles.

You will need to have a feel for language and a passion for expressing complex messages in a clear and accessible way. We think you are probably a person who finds pleasure in straightening language out.

This post requires a talent for managing a lot of detail while at the same time seeing the big picture of how we want to communicate, about what and to whom, with the confidence and knowledge to be creative with media and tools at hand. In practice, this means managing a workload that, all at the same time, will include numerous projects, managing supplier relationships including negotiating the best price for the job, and working with programme teams to find resourceful and innovative ways for communicating their messages effectively.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Fluency in English and French
Degree-level education in a related field
Experience copy-editing reports and other communications materials for a variety of audiences (including policy-makers, donors, etc.)
Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills in English
Proven experience writing and producing high-quality communications materials and content, including writing for websites
Experience in coordinating the production of publications, including managing freelancers and suppliers
Good knowledge of branding and experience using visual communications and photography
Excellent computer literacy and use of software packages (Word, PowerPoint, etc.)
Excellent time management and prioritisation skills, with an ability to work to tight deadlines and balance competing demands
An eye for detail and accuracy, and an ability to grasp complex issues and present them clearly
An ability to work independently, in teams and in a multicultural/multilingual environment
Excellent interpersonal, communications and presentation skills, and a track record of building strong relationships with a wide range of people
An ability to resolve problems in a timely manner and to develop alternative solutions

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

Experience in digital communications (e.g. websites, social media, videos)
Experience coordinating the production of annual reports
Knowledge of design software (e.g. InDesign, Photoshop)
Experience using content management systems
Experience in events logistics and coordination
Fluency in Arabic or Russian