Duration: Fixed term (Early Moments/Parental Leave cover) 12 months 

Job Level: Level 2 

Hours: 35 hours per week. Flexible arrangements will be considered 

Disclosure Level: Basic This role involves no direct or indirect work with children   

Reports to: Director of Communications 

At the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), we pull together to create a better world for children.  We believe in an inclusive workplace and in the power of fulfilled colleagues who share the same values and goals, enjoy their work and are motivated to do their utmost for children.   

Our work is guided by the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which recognise the universality of children’s rights. 

ABOUT THE TEAM  

The Media Team deliver world class media and communications work for UNICEF UK, leading on all public relations, news and emergencies, corporate and partnership communications work. It is part of the Communications Department, which sits within the wider Public Engagement Directorate, working alongside the Ambassador Relations, Organic Social Media, Creative Content and Strategic Communications teams. 

ABOUT THE ROLE 

The Head of Media leads a large team of 15 media and communications experts to deliver exceptional strategies in support of UNICEF UK’s fundraising, advocacy, brand, impact and reputational management objectives. The position also participates in the broader leadership management of the Communications Department. The role has direct line management responsibility of four permanent roles. 

What we will expect you to achieve 

• Lead the Media Team to develop, implement and evaluate outstanding short and long-term media and communications strategies across PR, news and emergencies, corporate and partnership communications, that deliver against the organisation’s strategic objectives. Use the media to influence decision makers and the wider public to deliver successful fundraising, advocacy and brand campaigns for UNICEF UK.  

• Identify opportunities to use the news agenda to raise awareness of UNICEF and its work for children in the UK and around the world. Ensure priorities are managed and resourced properly within the team.  

• Lead, manage and motivate a large, high performing team of 17 media and communications specialists, including direct line management of four Senior Managers.  

• Develop and maintain an agile and responsive press office, ensuring the efficient staffing and running of the out of hours on call rota and managing team expenditure budgets.  Lead the process for monitoring and reporting on the impact of media and communications work to the Executive team and wider global organisation.   

• Working with the Director of Communications, lead on reputational risk management for the organisation and provide strategic counsel to leaders. Oversee the development and delivery of crisis communications strategies and procedures to minimise risk to UNICEF’s reputation in the media and wider public.  

• Build and maintain good working relationships across the media including with senior journalists at national media outlets, PR agencies and publicists. Lead effective stakeholder management with senior contacts at UNICEF global offices, the public and private sectors. 

• Ensure that we deliver ambitious communications plans for our award-winning, high value, multi-year global partnerships, working with senior contacts at UNICEF global offices to minimise any reputational risk and elevating paid marketing partnerships 

• Working with the Senior PR Manager, lead the media relations for Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2025 ensure that cause marketing is front and centre of our flagship campaign 

• As part of the Communications Leadership Team, ensure effective leadership and management of the Communications Department including strategic planning and integration across the wider Public Engagement department and organisation.  

• Advise the Senior Leadership Team and senior stakeholders on media relations; ensure the organisation’s spokespeople are fully media trained and briefed.   

• Work out of hours as needed, acting as a senior member of the on-call rota for media and communications out of hours work.      

• Demonstrate and model a commitment to our shared values, behaviours and inclusive practices (known as Our Shared Commitment) in all aspects of your work. 

BEHAVIOURS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS 

This section contains the essential behaviours, experience, knowledge and skills needed in order to be effective and successful in this role. All criteria in this section are essential. 

Effective behaviours 

Communication  

• Conveys complex ideas using a variety of methods to engage an audience and win understanding and support.   

Decision making 

• Sensitively decisive, taking time to consult with relevant stakeholders before making and communicating clear decisions and the reasons for them. 

  Efficiency and effectiveness 

• Manage conflicting priorities to ensure that objectives are achieved and deadlines met. 

Good management 

• Provides strategic direction, sets clear objectives, clarifies expectations and agrees the parameters for each person’s authority and accountability. 

Positive relationships 

• Nurtures professional relationships with colleagues at all levels and with external contacts and partners to support the achievement of objectives. 

Resilience 

• Takes a solution focused approach to problem solving to succeed in difficult circumstances. 

Relevant experience 

• Proven experience leading a team of high-performing communications experts.  

• A track record of using the media to influence decision makers and delivering successful fundraising and advocacy campaigns.  

• Experience of managing reputational risk, delivering effective crisis communications and making sound media judgements.  

• Demonstrable experience of effectively communicating with and managing senior stakeholders both internally and externally. 

Specific knowledge and skills 

• In depth understanding of the UK media and how it works.  

• Up to date knowledge of recent and ongoing humanitarian situations and international development issues.