Communications Officer

£28,434 gross pa (pro rata), plus other benefits

Fixed-term six-month contract, part-time (21 hours per week) 

Based in Brixton, London

Working in the Public Engagement team, the post holder will be responsible for a range of writing and editorial tasks, including press releases and feature writing, editing content for Progressio’s corporate and supporter communications and writing case studies demonstrating the impact of our work. 

You will be the main contact for media enquiries and raise the profile of the organisation by securing media coverage about Progressio’s work overseas, including our International Citizen Service programme, our campaigns and supporter fundraising. 

The successful candidate should have a degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.

You should have proven experience of working in a busy communications department or similar, meeting a wide range of requests; a track record of writing and pitching news, features and press releases; of writing, proofreading and editing content for online (including social media) and print media, and of using media monitoring systems, such as Gorkana, to track and assess the value of clippings.

The ability to present complex issues in an accessible form to a variety of audiences; excellent journalistic skills, including interviewing, writing, proofreading and editing, including strong attention to detail; an ability to identify newsworthy news stories; and an understanding of the specific needs and expectations of different media audiences is essential. You should also have excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both written and verbal) including the ability to work with a wide range of people in a collaborative manner, and enhance effective work relationships; an ability to organise and prioritise work and multitask; sound judgement and discretion in handling issues, especially those that might be sensitive, including the ability to spot potential communications risks and support with crisis management; good problem solving skills and an openness to learning, including the ability to reflect on areas for improvement, and be dynamic, self-motivated and results-orientated.

Strong personal commitment to Progressio’s vision, values and goals, including a commitment to gender equality, and an ability to put them in to practice; cultural awareness and sensitivity in an inter-faith setting, including the ability to work effectively with Catholic audiences, as well as a diverse range of people of all faiths, and at all levels, and the willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends (with time off in lieu granted) and to travel on overseas assignments are also essential.