Press & Communications Officer

GUE/NGL - European United Left/Nordic Green Left Group in the European Parliament

Brussels, Belgium

The European United Left/Nordic Green Left Group (GUE/NGL) in the European Parliament brings together MEPs from a range of European left and progressive parties - ecological, socialist, communist, and independent. In virtually all policy areas, it argues against the mainstream neoliberal prescriptions for the EU and is focussed on presenting progressive policy alternatives. Staff should be comfortable in this environment and both capable of, and fully at ease with, supporting our MEPs in their policy objectives.

For its press and communications unit, the Group is seeking an English mother tongue Press and Communications Officer based in Brussels, but expected to travel regularly to Strasbourg and to other Member States for short missions.

Job description & profile:

He/she will work in a team responsible for the internal and external communications activities of the group, including relations with the press, press releases, social media, media events, audio-visual production, Group conferences and activities, and communications with NGOs, political parties, etc.

Responsibilities:

• Drafting, editing and distributing press releases for the Group;
• Drafting and/or editing texts and articles for the Group, its president or MEPs;
• Drafting, editing, proofreading and generally assisting with the production of brochures, flyers, etc.;
• Managing pre- and post-session information work, including briefing and de-briefing material;
• Ensuring the Group's presence on the social media;
• Supporting the organisation of Group events and publicity work;
• Translating short texts from French, or other languages, into English;
• Updating content on the Group’s website; managing Group's intranet site;
• Assisting with audio-visual production when necessary.

Skills:

• Knowledge of the workings of the EU institutions, and the European Parliament in particular;
• Preferably with previous journalistic experience and excellent writing and subediting skills;
• Ability to write clear and comprehensive texts in English for a multicultural, multi-lingual readership, from short press releases to snappy tweets
• An eye for detail;
• Ability to work under pressure and to short deadlines;
• Good interpersonal and networking skills;
• English mother-tongue with excellent French; good knowledge of a third language;
• Excellent IT skills including a thorough knowledge of Microsoft Office as well as knowledge of In-Design, Photoshop, video-editing programmes and website content management systems.

S/he will be a good team worker, with a flexible attitude who is comfortable in a multinational environment with a very variable workflow.

Position to be filled: June 2015

The successful candidate will be recruited as a contract agent in Function Group II, III or IV, depending on experience and qualifications.

 

Procedure for Applications:

Interested and qualified candidates (a two-year post-secondary diploma or a second-level qualification plus three years relevant professional experience is the absolute minimum) are invited to submit a 2-3 page CV, a motivation letter (one page) plus a 500-word article in English on "The future of the European Union from a Left perspective." Please answer all questions and attach all requested documentation here. 

For more information about the Group and its activities, see the website: www.guengl.eu.

The Group plans to make an early priority appointment to fill the above vacancy, for which mother-tongue standard English and very good writing skills are essential.

However, we would also welcome applications for other communications specialisations such as audiovisual, website, social media, event organisation etc. which may become available later in the year.

Good written and spoken English will be required and very good knowledge of the other major group languages, including French, German, Spanish, Greek etc. will be an advantage.