Advocacy and Press Manager
November 2018
Organisation:
Peter Tatchell Foundation
Location:
London (Borough SE1 1HL, near London Bridge)
Salary:
£30,000 – £35,000 per annum + auto enrolment pension contributions Salary is open to negotiation with the right person.
Hours:37.5 hours per week, normally 9.30am to 5.30pm but periodic out of office hours work too.
(All post holders are subject to a six-month probationary period.)
Reports to:
Operations Director, PTF
Job role:
Peter Tatchell Foundation (PTF) Advocacy and Press Manager (APM) post is a dual-focused role. It primarily includes advocacy via media and other publicity – and project and campaign ideas, organisation, development and execution. Essential are a good degree, high standard of written and spoken English, excellent knowledge of current affairs and LGBT+ issues and substantive campaign and press work experience.
Person Specification
The Advocacy and Press Manager (APM) has:
· the ability to work both independently and collaboratively to deliver the PTF’s objectives
· a keen interest in human rights, LGBT rights and world affairs
· proven experience liaising effectively with a wide range of media and a sound knowledge of media operations and public relations
· experience in developing multimedia communication campaigns
· the ability to devise, organise, action, monitor and evaluate projects and campaigns
· excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to summarise and articulate complicated information to a diverse range of targeted audiences
· good time management, organisational and planning skills
· the ability to make appropriate and accurate decisions about operational issues and to explain clearly the rationale for those decisions
· the ability to remain calm under pressure, prioritise, and work to tight deadlines in a high-pressured environment
· excellent proof-reading skills with meticulous attention to detail
· computer literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Word, database software, web-content management systems and so on
· commitment to human rights and social justice – and to the PTF’s aims and objectives – and to our areas and mode of work
· high professional ethical standards and commitment to a diverse workplace
· excellent people management and interaction skills
· the ability to delegate responsibilities effectively and work as part of a team
· a ‘can-do’ attitude, openness to direction, and commitment to get the job done
· the ability to initiate, challenge and debate persuasively on issues of importance to the organisation
· an ability to look at situations from several points of view and make an informed choice
· a high standard of spelling, grammar and punctuation and the ability to distil succinctly large, detailed and complex text
· creative, imaginative mind-set, capable of developing pioneering, innovative campaigns and media strategies through a variety of media channels
· unafraid of controversy and willing to take flak
· prepared, if necessary, to be provocative, controversial and take on extremists
Job description
The PTF Advocacy and Press Manager (APM):
- Works with the CEO of the PTF to organise, deliver and evaluate the organisation’s projects and campaigns and to communicate these to the media and the public. The post holder may from time to time be required to liaise with the PTF’s Board of Trustees
- Initiates media coverage about the work of the PTF and responds to media enquiries on a day-to-day basis
- Is responsible for media relations – both reactive and project-led
- Will generate positive publicity for PTF and its education, casework, research, projects and campaigns by initiating and developing contacts in national, regional and specialist press, broadcast and online media in the UK and, where appropriate, in selected other countries
- Helps raise the organisation’s profile by running media events; including press conferences
- Is responsible for the PTF website and social media
- Develop multimedia and digital campaigns
- Will ensure that information on the website and social media is updated in a timely and accurate manner and in consultation with the Director prepare text for loading using a web content management system
- Writes and distributes news releases in consultation with the CEO
- Develops, expands and keeps up-to-date the media contacts database
- Devises and implements short and long term media strategies, projects and initiatives, in liaison with colleagues
- Identifies suitable media outlets for writing and distributing material, building relationships with journalists and responding to their queries
- Carries out evaluation of media coverage on a general and project basis and reports the results to the CEO, Operations Director and to the Trustees
- Produces the PTF’s newsletter – currently weekly
- Maintains and updates our Constant Contact information distribution system in accordance with our requirements & GDPR compliance
- Proposes and actions project and campaign strategies and ideas and organises specific projects / campaigns in conjunction with the Director
- Researches project and campaign issues
- Plans and executes all aspects of a project or campaign in meticulous detail and with optimal accuracy and efficiency
- Reports to the Director and Trustees on projects / campaigns and their efficacy (or not)
- Creates, monitors and supports a volunteer team to support the projects and campaigns, where relevant and useful
The remit of the post is flexible and adaptable, with a requirement to multi-task using a wide range of skills, as requested by the Director and / or Trustees, such as assistance with other PTF work as needed.
The tasks required from the post holder may change, particularly if additional staff / volunteers are recruited in future. The person accepting this position must be willing to adapt his / her areas of work as the PTF evolves and to fill in for other staff members in their absence due to holidays or illness.
The APM must also be willing to sometimes work out of office hours, including early morning, evenings and weekends, and to sometimes work longer than 37.5 hours per week, with time off in lieu as compensation.
About the Organisation
The Peter Tatchell Foundation is a registered charity specialising in human rights advice, education, research, support and advocacy. We seek to promote and protect the human rights of individuals, communities and nations, in the UK and internationally, in accordance with the body of established national and international human rights law by all appropriate peaceful means.
As well as our work in the UK, the Peter Tatchell Foundation works on a selected range of human rights issues in selected countries. Both the issues and countries are selected on the basis of appeals from human rights victims and defenders, often on the grounds that few other human rights organisations are working on these issues in these countries.
Much of our work involves seeking to influence and change public consciousness, values and culture regarding matters of human rights (which include the related issues of equality, diversity and non-discrimination). We initiate and intervene in public debates to promote awareness of human rights issues among the public, social institutions, businesses, ngos and governments.
For more information visit our website https://www.petertatchellfoundation.org
Closing date: Thursday 15 November 2018
PTF are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.
PTF welcomes job share applications.
How to apply:
Please send us as two PDF (or equivalent) document attachments:
1] Your CV
2] A cover letter with up to 300 words each on (a) why you want the job, (b) what relevant job skills and experience you have, (c) the office / website / IT systems you know and are competent in, (d) what you think the PTF’s three campaign priorities should be and why.
For shortlisted candidates you will be asked to submit in advance of the interview:
1} on no more than one side of A4, outline a campaign plan and a press plan for us to work in Uganda in support of the LGBT movement there. What actions / events etc in Uganda would you suggest that we organise in order to raise the public profile and impact of the push for LGBT rights in Uganda?
2} at interview you will be asked to give a 10 minute presentation of your campaign plan and media plan for Uganda.
Please make sure that all documents are marked with your name and contact details. Please write in the email title the job you are applying for.
Email to: [email protected]
Thank you.
Jeremy Hooke, Chair of the Trustees, Peter Tatchell Foundation