Criminal justice reform is starting to rise up the political agenda yet, across the globe, people continue to be convicted of criminal offences without a fair trial. Over the past decade, Fair Trials has become a leading contributor to important global reforms that prevent injustice and we have ambitious plans to continue to increase our impact.
We are respected for our expertise and have an incredible global network, but we now need to inject renewed energy into our external communications. We need help to cut through the legal jargon and show why fair trial rights matter; to generate public engagement and political will; and to advance our profile as a trusted go-to partner.
We’re looking for an experienced professional to lead our communications globally. This role will suit you if you are passionate about rights and justice and if you’re driven to use your skills and experience to get these important issues onto the agenda and build support for change.
JOB DESCRIPTION
RESPONSIBLE TO: Chief Executive
RESPONSIBLE FOR: Communications team (TBD)
HOURS: Full time (evening and weekend work will be required from time to time). Part-time role (min, 4 days per week) or job-share considered.
LOCATION: Flexible one of Fair Trials’ offices (London, Brussels or Washington DC) with some home working considered. The role will involve international travel (regular but for short periods).
SALARY: Dependent on experience and place of employment.
PURPOSE
Overall responsibility for developing Fair Trials’ communications strategy and its implementation. As a member of the Management Team (MT), offering an in-depth understanding of the role of effective communications in advancing Fair Trials’ mission.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide strategic leadership, vision, and oversight on communications, keeping abreast of press and social media trends to identify opportunities and threats to Fair Trials’ mission and, as a member of the MT, contribute to Fair Trials’ broader global strategy and management;
- Build and support a committed and valued communications team that contributes actively to Fair Trials’ success and manage relationships with outside suppliers that support communications activities;
- Lead on the development of global communications strategy (with support from the MT and Board), which has buy-in from the staff team and Fair Trials’ networks and report on its implementation (developing and tracking metrics to assess the effectiveness of communications initiatives and tools);
- Lead on implementation of the strategy, including:
- Build engagement of Fair Trials’ networks;
- Ensure consistent use of Fair Trials’ brand to build continuity, integrity, and effectiveness and amplify the brand through innovative communications and messaging;
- Maintaining and developing effective communications platforms, including overseeing the day-to-day management of the website, social media and publications;
- Oversee the production and placement of compelling written and multimedia content on Fair Trials platforms and in leading outlets;
- Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists, social media commentators;
- Building relationships with partner organisations, developing ideas and communication tools to strengthen their engagement, including in coordinated media campaigns; and
- Coordinating media work, including by keeping abreast of and responding to relevant stories, selling Fair Trials’ stories and expert comment, building relationships with key contacts, drafting and distributing press releases and comments, and managing press enquiries and interviews.
- Work with the wider staff team to develop compelling advocacy plans, ensuring the integration of effective external communications by identifying and exploiting/mitigating PR risks and opportunities, overseeing the production and dissemination of advocacy materials and planning of advocacy events; and initiating and developing relationships with key media and social media contacts;
- Support the integration of the Communications team and contribute to effective collaboration between the team and other parts of Fair Trials:
- With the Legal and Policy teams across offices, to establish a culture in which effective external communications is fully integrated into the charity’s legal & policy activities and ensure that communications contributes to the delivery of Legal and Policy outputs and strategic advocacy objectives;
- With the Development team, to ensure communications contributes to delivery of the fundraising strategy and to develop funding applications to support Fair Trials’ communications (as stand-alone projects or part of wider programs); and
- With the Finance and Operations team, develop and manage the communications budget.
- Comply with the charity’s policies and procedures, including promoting and implementing Fair Trials’ equal opportunities policy;
- Carry out any other duties commensurate with the post.
PERSON SPEC
Requirements
- Knowledge of and passion for human rights and criminal justice;
- Professional experience overseeing communications progressively increasing management and strategic responsibility;
- Exceptional leadership and management skills;
- Adept at leading communications and advocacy strategy development from conceptualization to completion, balancing long-term strategic thinking with short-term tactical actions;
- A savvy, creative, smart, and innovative leader with keen public relations intuition, exceptional judgment, and excellent writing and presentation skills;
- Strong press relationships with proven record of story placement and the presence, credibility and skills to cultivate a broad range of relationships;
- Experience devising and implementing effective strategies for social media platforms and broader online presence (including maintaining and developing a website);
- Understanding of communications measurement and analysis;
- Ability to thrive when working under deadlines, and the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously while maintaining the highest standards of excellence;
- Detail-oriented with excellent follow-up;
- Exceptional written and oral communications skills, including editing the work of others, and ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and persuasively to a variety of audiences and stakeholders;
- Responds positively to change, you’re not afraid to challenge the status quo and introduce new ideas when appropriate;
- Track record as an energetic, flexible, self-starting team player with the ability to foster collaboration, build consensus and contribute to a strong level of engagement across the team and networks;
- Proven experience maintaining a high level of confidentiality and professional conduct;
- Eligibility to work in the United States, United Kingdom or Belgium;
- Fluency in English.
Desirable
- Fluency in Spanish;
- The following work experience would be beneficial:
- Work experience in the legal, human rights and/or criminal justice sector;
- Work experience within an advocacy organization;
- Experience of working in a networked organization;
- Experience of communications work in an organization which operates regionally or internationally.
About Fair Trials
Fair Trials is an international human rights NGO, which exists to build respect for the human right to a fair trial in criminal cases. We have grown gradually over the past decade and have an established track-record as a trusted voice on criminal justice. We have 20 staff across offices in London, Brussels and Washington DC, and are in the process of increasing the geographical reach of our work.
Salary and conditions
The post of Communications Director is full time, but part-time (minimum 4 days per week) or job-share will be considered. The gross salary is dependent on experience and place of employment. The role is based in one of Fair Trials’ offices: London, Brussels or Washington DC.
To apply
Please send a CV and a one page cover letter electronically to recruitment@fairtrials.net no later than 8am GMT on 25 May 2020. Applications received after this will not be considered. Please clearly include your name and “Communications Director” in the subject field of the email.
Your CV and cover letter should include:
- Your name and contact details;
- Your educational history, including universities/colleges attended with dates and significant qualifications obtained;
- Your employment history, including all significant posts you have held – with dates, the names of the employers, and a description of the main duties, together with your present or most recent salary, and your contractual notice period. (You should also explain any significant gaps, e.g. covered by travelling, self-employment etc.);
- An explanation of why you would like the job; the qualities you would bring to it; how you would approach the task if you were you awarded the post;
- The names and contact details of two referees who know your work, who may be contacted if you are short-listed;
- Information about how you learned of the post.
If you have any queries, please send them to the same email address or call Rosalyn Salmon on +44 (0)20 7822 2370.
The selection process
Interviews for short-listed candidates will be held remotely during the week commencing 8 June 2020.
Fair Trials is conducting this appointment on equal opportunity principles and will welcome applications from candidates who can fulfil the requirements of the post irrespective of race, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability.
The personal data which you have provided, and which we may request, in connection with your application, will not be retained beyond 12 months should your application be unsuccessful. If you are appointed, your personal data will only be used for the purposes of human resources management.
this job offer is not open for applications
