About us

Pro Bono Economics (PBE) uses economics to empower the social sector and to increase wellbeing across the UK. We combine project work for individual charities and social enterprises with policy research that can drive systemic change.

Through our projects, we have worked with over 500 charities since our inception in 2009. Working with our network of both experienced consultant economists and economist volunteers from across the private, public and third sectors, we help charities and social enterprises appreciate their economic and social impact and so improve their overall effectiveness.

More recently, we have embarked on an exciting new phase of our development, adding a dedicated in-house research and policy function to supplement our charity projects with ‘macro’ insights into the value and the potential of civil society in the 2020s. Armed with fresh content, we want to play an enhanced role in actively shaping the policy debate in the UK. Our new External Affairs department is core to delivering on this ambition through the team’s core functions of media, marketing and public affairs.

About the role

We are looking for a Press Officer with some experience to join PBE’s External Affairs team. This is a terrific opportunity to get involved at the heart of a growing organisation, with scope to develop the role as we continue to expand. This is a new role, created to ensure PBE can fulfil its goal of being an influential, impactful evidence-based authority on the social sector, with a communications and media profile to match.

Due to the nature of the role, some out-of-hours and weekend working may be necessary, within reason.

Post type: Full-time, fixed-term (24 months). Flexible arrangements will be considered.

Reports to: External Affairs Director

Main duties & tasks:

Media coverage and relations

• To increase PBE’s media coverage by writing press releases, articles, statements and tweets.

• Selling in PBE’s flagship reports, high quality research and commentary to attract significant media coverage on a range of issues.

• Proactively seeking opportunities in national and trade media for statements, articles and features, including for broadcasters.

• Handling day to day media enquiries, including arranging TV, radio and print interviews, and briefing journalists on PBE policies and related issues.

• Organising interviews, press conferences, photo calls and roundtables, including relevant briefing.

Media Communications Strategy

• Developing and maintaining relationships with media across economic, policy, social affairs, health, educational, business and charity sector press outlets, as well as maintaining relationships between media and the senior PBE team.

• Collaborating with key internal and external stakeholders, including the CEO, trustees, directors, researchers and economists, as well as Commissioners, Patrons, and the communications leads and PR teams of charity partners, funders and collaborative research partners.

• Designing and delivering PBE’s op-ed strategy.

• Making the most out of the media hub pages on the PBE and Commission for Civil Society websites.

Monitoring

• Proactively seeking out opportunities for PBE to deliver its messages to the media.

• Managing an ongoing schedule of reactive opportunities - including statistical releases, political debates, current affairs and publications by other organisations - and coordinating responses to them.

• Building PBE’s reputation as an interesting contributor on a range of issues.

Internal Support

• Supporting colleagues in developing content for existing social media channels including Twitter and LinkedIn, to ensure PBE messages reach a wide audience of key stakeholders.

• Providing editorial advice to colleagues on drafting of reports and other written content, including fundraising materials.

• Drafting ad hoc copy such as website articles, case studies and blogs as needed, some of which may require research and interviews.

• Helping brief colleagues ahead of interviews, commissioning content from colleagues for briefings where needed.

• Providing encouragement, constructive feedback and on-the-job media training to colleagues beginning and developing their careers as spokespeople for PBE.

• Help to shape PBE’s brand and voice as it grows and develops.

Any other duties as deemed reasonable by the line manager.

About you

We are looking for an exceptional candidate who is switching from journalism or with experience working in PR in any of the sectors that are relevant to PBE. Familiarity with economic, policy, social affairs, health and/or educational press would be advantageous.

Ideal characteristics include:

• Experience in media relations or journalism.

• Knowledge of national, regional, trade and digital/social media.

• Knowledge and understanding of current affairs, and the social, economic and political environment.

• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people

• A keen eye for detail and a great level of accuracy

• Ability to work under pressure/meet tight deadlines.

• Ability to work as a self-starter in a close-knit team.

• Ability to be flexible/ think laterally in problem solving.

• Excellent creative writing skills.

• Sound judgement, strong news sense and political nous.

• Ability to create media opportunities – national, regional, online and digital – which help the organisation secure strong coverage.

• A commitment to PBE’s focus on using economics to drive wellbeing improvements in the UK.
  

PBE is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity

For details of our applicant’s privacy policy, please see https://www.probonoeconomics.com/policies