Head of Media Relations

We have an excellent opportunity for a Head of Media Relations within our Communications Division.

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the Media team and ensuring that they are effective in raising the profile of the Commonwealth and its programmes in the media across the Commonwealth. They will also ensure that media organisations from across the world are effectively engaged with and are informed about the Commonwealth, its work and its role in the international community, and that the work of the organisation is communicated to as wide an audience as possible.

Other responsibilities entailed in this role include (but are not limited to):

• Developing and implementing a media strategy and workplan – with appropriate indicators of success – as an integral part of the broader divisional Communications Strategy, to help deliver the Secretariat’s Strategic Plan;
• Leading and supervising the Media team so that they engage in proactive communications with the media at all levels. This will include UK-based media, national media in Commonwealth member countries and the international media generally;
• Overseeing the preparation by the Media team of concise media messages on all relevant topics for use by the Director and Spokesperson – Communications Division and other members of the Senior Management;
• Working closely with the Office of the Secretary-General to ensure that all public messages and activity generated by the Office of the Secretary-General is fully consistent with media messages and strategies, and is integrated, planned and executed appropriately;
• Alongside the Director and Spokesperson – Communications Division, leading on the planning and delivery of the Communications Division’s outputs especially in relation to the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government summit.

To be considered, you will need a degree or equivalent experience in Communications, Journalism, Media Studies, International Affairs or a related field. You will also need a minimum of 10 years’ experience in media or in communications roles, and five years of communications and media management experience, gained at a senior level. Candidates with significant experience within a multilateral organisation or within an international NGO will have an added advantage.

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 member governments and provides guidance on policy making, technical assistance and advisory services to Commonwealth member countries.  We support governments to help achieve sustainable, inclusive and equitable development.

To join us, you must be a citizen of a Commonwealth country.

Please apply by submitting a CV and cover letter. Covering letters should be structured to address the key criteria required in the Person Specification, giving clear examples.