ROLE OVERVIEW:

The postholder will lead on developing and leading delivery of our communications strategy, ensuring we are telling authoritative and compelling stories about EVAW’s campaign areas addressing violence against women and girls. The postholder will make the most of, and look to strengthen, our existing traditional media impact whilst also driving strategies to build our online presence, develop engaging content that reaches and grows diverse target audiences. This role will support the Director team to be focused on increasing EVAW’s impact and profile.

 KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

 Strategy

• Develop and lead on implementing EVAW’s communications and social media strategies, ensuring EVAW’s mission and goals are communicated effectively, and that we increase engagement and support

• Develop strategic alliances to jointly raise awareness and drive media campaigns

• Support the commissioning of research into strategic communications on VAWG aimed at shifting public attitudes and challenging deeply held unhelpful beliefs about the causes and inevitability of VAWG

 Anti-racism analysis

• Contribute to strengthening EVAW’s anti-racism analysis and campaigning by bringing knowledge, insight and suggestions

• Demonstrate commitment to ensuring values of intersectionality and anti-racism are threaded into all EVAW’s campaigns and communications

• Actively participate in EVAW’s review of our internal practices and culture in relation to race/ethnicity

Planned communications

• Prepare press releases, draft press comments, as well as media and stakeholder briefings on a wide range of issues

• Develop EVAW’s key media messages on a host of VAWG issues

• Develop and test strategies to build EVAW’s online profile, particularly through social media

• Develop and optimise digital social media outputs including text, images, audio and video content to reach target audiences, including as part of organisational campaigns which require coordination with other colleagues

• Ensure that EVAW is proactive, including via the proactive placement of supportive articles/stories in relevant media and identifying potential news stories, working across teams to plan and develop relevant content

• Work closely with, and advise, EVAW colleagues and members to design and deliver strategic campaigning, media and lobbying work on VAWG

• Be curious, ensuring the organisation is making the best use of new and established digital and creative approaches in its campaigning work, bringing in additional expertise where needed

• Help develop and maintain influential digital and creative partnerships that deliver on campaign objectives

Responsive communications

• Handle day-to-day media relations, dealing with opportunities in an efficient and timely manner, ensuring responses maintain EVAW’s reputation as an expert in this area

• Coordinate EVAW’s media response, acting as a first point of contact for media queries/requests and arranging interviews.

• Manage EVAW social media channels and website content on a day to day basis

• Build profile and engagement on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and identify opportunities to join in relevant conversations

• Oversee reactive communications as necessary, advising Directors and colleagues on appropriate response in times of press escalation, ensuring any high interest press is flagged immediately

• Where appropriate act as spokesperson in media and at events

• Some evening and weekend work as part of a media on-call rota which is renumerated in addition to salary

Administration

• Review EVAW’s communications and style guide to ensure consistency of message, content, tone, format, style of communication, use of EVAW branding etc.

• Manage an on-call rota to ensure responsiveness

• Use analytics tools to report on social media and web performance

• Oversee website functionality, content, accessibility and effectiveness

 Systems

• Oversee a communications calendar and coordination of activity across campaigns, membership, policy and public affairs strands

• Advise colleagues on appropriate media targeting for a variety of campaign objectives

• Maintain, nurture and expand relationships with key media, including publications, journalists, influencers and other channels

• Understand and define EVAW’s digital audiences, prioritise and steward them, and promote evidence-based approaches to engaging them effectively

• Attend and contribute to regular team meetings and team planning sessions

• Attend supervision, and be willing to undertake general tasks as reasonably required

 Cross-cutting

• Protect and enhance the organisation’s core values and profile when producing content or speaking on its behalf

• Undertake other tasks and responsibilities reasonably requested by the Director(s)

• Be responsible for monitoring and evaluation in your area of work

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Experience

Essential

• Track record of leading strategic communications work for an organisation, engaging multiple audiences including media, public, politicians and policymakers, supporters,

• donors and stakeholders

• Evidence of developing and managing public-facing campaigns, leading to increased organisational profile and changes to policy, practice and attitudes

• Demonstrable experience of working with broadcast / print / online UK media - a track record of securing high profile national coverage to generate profile and awareness

• Experience of writing press releases, articles, comment and giving interviews

• Experience in using social media in a policy and campaigns context with up-to-date

• knowledge of digital campaigning tools and tactics

• Experience of integrating communications activity across different functions including fundraising and campaigning

• Experience in building and maintaining relationships with a wide range of stakeholders which demonstrates strong networking and negotiating skills

• Track record of using social and digital media to gain coverage and win campaigns

 Desirable

• Experience in the field of violence against women and girls

• Experience of brand development in support of organisational objectives

• Experience of measuring and reporting on the impact of communications activity

Skills

Essential

• Demonstrable knowledge of the different forms of VAWG, theoretical and practical approaches to them, and understanding of the UK landscape

• Specific knowledge and analysis of systemic racism and what working with a meaningful anti-racism approach in campaigns, and in a small organization means

• Confident and authentic written and oral communicator, with an ability to tell compelling, authoritative stories creatively and engage with a variety of audiences in a fast-moving campaigns environment

• Ability to set own priorities, manage work plans and evaluate progress

• Sound judgement and experience in managing communications on digital channels and making the most of reactive moments

Desirable

• Understanding of policymaking and experience of communicating effectively to politicians and policy audiences

Attributes

Essential

• Demonstrable commitment to gender equality and human rights and an understanding of how intersecting inequalities affect different women

• Able to thrive under pressure, a high degree of self-motivation, attention to detail, ability to work independently, and to meet tight deadlines

• Ability to work sensitively and ethically with survivors of violence

Desirable

• Relevant political, media and other useful contacts

• Awareness of and/or connections with bloggers, social media influencers and/or creatives engaged on EVAW’s campaign areas