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Communications Assistant Transport & Environment


Transport & Environment is the leading NGO voice on smarter and greener EU transport policies in Brussels. Our advocacy work has contributed to a number of high-profile policy changes including Europe’s first legally binding CO2 targets for new cars, the inclusion of aviation in the EU-ETS, smarter EU rules on road charging for lorries, and laws on biofuels, petrol and diesel made from high-carbon sources such as tar sands.
We are looking for a Communications Assistant to join our team in Brussels. The ideal candidate will have experience in dealing with key EU media, both in Brussels and in Member States, to help T&E achieve its advocacy and campaign objectives through media engagement. The selected person will be an energetic and enthusiastic team player with two to three years of experience in working within a communications and media environment. Some knowledge of EU and/or transport and environment issues would be a plus.
Principal duties and responsibilities will involve:
  • Supporting the communications manager in T&E’s relations with EU affairs media outlets, newswires and Brussels-based correspondents from national media.
  • Supporting the communications manager in executing media outreach strategies to automotive, shipping and environment trade publications as well as top mainstream national newspapers and magazines in France, Germany, Italy and the UK.
  • Monitoring the media in Brussels, identifying key trends and opportunities for T&E.
  • Contributing to research and pitch stories and interviews to print, broadcast and online media.
  • Helping the communications manager draft and sell press releases, articles for publication, Op-Eds, letters to the editors of main newspapers and media documents.
  • Supporting the communications manager in the development, editing, proofreading, design and launch of key T&E reports and publications.
  • Updating T&E website and helping manage social media content (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.).
  • Working with communications teams in our member organisations to ensure a coordinated approach to EU issues in key countries.
  • Helping organise media briefings and events.
  • Updating the T&E database and improving the T&E contact management strategy.
  • Supporting the T&E policy officers with some ad hoc administration tasks.
Skills and competences required:
  • Experience in EU and pan-European media outreach.
  • Demonstrable creativity and a flair for identifying interesting and newsworthy stories and successfully pitching them to a range of media outlets.
  • Well organised and able to deal confidently with media inquiries.
  • A good understanding of the Brussels media market, as well as the requirements of different kinds of media i.e. print, newswire, TV, radio, and web. Social media experience is a plus.
  • Outstanding written and verbal communications skills including the ability to synthesise complicated policy issues into digestible products.
  • Excellent time management, forward planning, and prioritisation skills, with the ability to work under pressure and to deadlines.
  • Proven ability to work effectively in a multicultural team environment and strong interpersonal skills.
  • A commitment to T&E’s policy aims and a clear understanding of the links between policy, lobbying, campaigning and media work.
  • Native-level or bilingual English is essential. French or German are also strongly desirable. Other European languages are a plus.
The position is a full-time one, with an open-ended contract subject to a six-month probation period. We offer a competitive salary and an additional benefit package.
Applications should be sent by email to vacancy@transportenvironment.org with a CV and a cover letter. The letter should explain your motivation and commitment to work towards Transport & Environment’s aims and also highlight examples from your previous work that show us that you have the skills and competencies outlined above. You may also include examples of published articles but please include any such files in a single pdf file or Word document.
Please ensure the job vacancy title is shown in the subject line (Communications Assistant).
Deadline for submitting applications: 11 November, 2012 at 7am CET.
We thank all candidates for their interest, however we are only able to contact those who have been shortlisted.
Only applicants with the existing right to work within the EU will be considered.