Press Officer

United Kingdom - London (Global Support Office)

This vacancy is now closed

Description

About Us:

At MSI Reproductive Choices we are unapologetically pro-choice. We believe that every woman has the right to make choices about her own body and her own future. As one of the world’s leading providers of contraception and safe abortion care, we give women the means to do so. Across 37 countries, we provide high quality, safe services, and work with advocacy to create an enabling environment, so every client has safe access to services when and where they are needed. Because when a woman can determine her own future, she can contribute to creating a better, more sustainable future for everyone.

MSI Reproductive Choices is committed to creating an inclusive environment with a workforce which is representative of the communities we serve. We’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer and give equal consideration to all qualified applicants without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or age. We are committed to promoting equality and safeguarding the welfare of all team members and clients, with a focus on vulnerable groups. 

The role

The Press Officer is a key role within MSI’s Global Communications team, with responsibility for promoting the organisation’s work and impact both globally and in the UK across a range of external channels, principally through earned media placements. They will proactively create and deliver high impact communications campaigns and opportunities that enhance the standing and influence of MSI among key audiences, including donors. They will also play a central role in managing MSI’s news desk, acting as an effective point of contact between journalists and the organisation. The Press Officer will also be required to produce high quality copy and content for other channels, including social media, the global website, and internal communications, as required.

About you

We want individuals who support our mission of eliminating unsafe abortion by 2030 and who work with us to build an enabling environment to increase access to safe services everywhere. We expect all team members to share our vision and commitment to achieving our mission whilst promoting equality and safeguarding the welfare of all clients and colleagues.

To succeed in this role, you must have:

  • Strong experience of working in a busy PR agency, press office or communications team, with extensive working knowledge of national and international broadcast, print and online media
  • Proven experience of building and maintaining lasting relationships with national and international media contacts, with a focus on health, consumer and/or development journalists
  • Solid experience of working with the media, running proactive PR campaigns, and proactively identifying opportunities
  • Proven experience handling sensitive media issues, providing counsel to senior stakeholders
  • Substantial results in securing national and international media coverage
  • Experience of using digital and social media channels to engage audiences
  • Demonstrable track record in writing compelling material for a wide range of stakeholders – press releases, articles, newsletters, and case study stories.

Skills:

  • Ability to work in a diverse and inclusive environment, respecting and collaborating with all individuals equally, and with a commitment to overcome bias and prejudice
  • Excellent written and verbal communications skills
  • Ability to promote MSI and influence a variety of stakeholders, including the media, donors and partner organisations
  • A solid understanding of current affairs, reproductive rights, international development and UK healthcare
  • Excellent news sense and the skills to identify proactive opportunities for external communications that support the organisation’s objectives
  • Strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to work authoritatively, knowledgeably, and confidently with journalists and colleagues at every level of the organisation
  • Outstanding organisational skills, including the ability to use initiative, prioritise workload and work under pressure to meet tight deadlines
  • Meticulous attention to detail
  • Enjoy working as part of a busy and fast-paced team
  • Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

Qualifications

  • Educated to degree level or equivalent.

Personal Attributes:

  • Committed to the protection of team members and clients, with a focus on vulnerable groups
  • Able to role-model inclusive and culturally sensitive attitudes and behaviours
  • Pro-choice with a genuine commitment to the values and ethos of MSI Reproductive Choices
  • Flexible and open to reasonable requests to work out of general office hours (including business travel and cover of the 24-hour press phone in rotation with other colleagues).

For more information about the role, please view the job description and person specification on our website.

Location: London, WT1

Full-time: 35 hours a week

Contract type: Permanent

Salary: £30,500 - £35,000 + discretionary bonus + benefits

Closing date: Sunday 28th March 2021 (midnight GMT). Interviews may take place before this date for exceptional candidates.

For internal staff applying from an MSI country programme, the role will be positioned within the existing salary structure of the country. Local terms and conditions of the country will apply.


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