IFJ - Communications and Campaigns Officer

International Federation of Journalists

Brussels, Belgium

The International Federation of Journalists is seeking to recruit a communications officer to work in its Brussels office.

Location: Brussels (with some international travel) 
Reports to: IFJ General Secretary

Job summary

The Communications Officer is responsible for supporting the IFJ and its regional offices in providing effective communication services to IFJ affiliates and to external audiences. Working under the supervision of the General Secretary, the Communications Officer will be expected to develop and implement a communications strategy for the IFJ that increases awareness of the organisation and its activities. They will have day-to-day responsibility for preparing content for the IFJ website, e-bulletins and newsletters, as well as managing the organisation’s media relations.

Job description

While the Communications Officer will be expected to work in a flexible way and undertake a variety of work related to their field of work, specific tasks will include:

Management of the IFJ website and other online communication tools

• Liaising with IFJ staff, regional offices, affiliates and elected leadership to identify potential stories about the IFJ’s work;
• Drafting, editing and posting content on the IFJ website;
• Generating e-bulletin newsletters and promoting the IFJ’s work through social media platforms;
• Managing the IFJ’s email distribution lists.

Promoting the IFJ’s work through the mainstream media, including

• Drafting of press releases and statements;
• Developing relationships with journalists relevant to the IFJ’s work;
• Acting as first point of contact for media enquiries;
• Monitoring of relevant media, alerting IFJ structures to key news and preparing official reactions where appropriate.

Advising the General Secretary and elected leadership on communications matters

• Planning of IFJ communications and strategy setting;
• Providing advice and assistance to IFJ staff in Brussels and regional offices.

Managing the production of IFJ materials

• Working with external designers to deliver high quality printed publications;
• Proofing documents in English (and other languages if possible);
• Providing regular reports to the General Secretary on the communications budget.

Person specification

In addition to having experience of undertaking the activities highlighted above, the ideal candidate for this post will also have:

• Direct experience of working as a journalist;
• The ability to write and proof articles in English to an extremely high standard and an ability to work in either French or Spanish; 
• Experience of working in an international and multilingual environment;
• The ability to work to very tight deadlines and a willingness to work occasionally outside usual working hours and at short notice;
• An understanding of the IFJ’s work and the trade union movement.

The IFJ offers a competitive remuneration package commensurate with the skills and experience of the successful candidate.

How to apply

Applicants are required to submit a CV and a one page covering letter explaining why they are interested in the position. The covering letter should clearly demonstrate the applicant’s experience in the fields detailed above.

Applications should be sent to job@ifj.org by midnight, Brussels time on Sunday, 27 January 2013. 

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

If you have any questions concerning this position, please contact IFJ Administration at ifj@ifj.org.