Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

• Location
  London, United Kingdom
• Sector
  Non Profit
• Experience
  Mid Career

Position description

The Senior Communications Officer - UK and EU (institutions) will develop and implement a communications strategy for the UK and Brussels with the overarching purpose of strengthening the reputation of the foundation and advancing the foundation’s advocacy goals in the region.

This is a fascinating, stretching, and diverse role with no day being the same. It would suit someone who is experienced, full of innovative ideas and energy, and has an ability to work well with others to get things done. The successful candidate will be key to advancing a set of strategic communications outcomes including:

• Stronger awareness among target audiences of key foundation policy positions;
• Supportive enabling environment in the UK and across the EU institutions to encourage increased political commitment to international development, global health and/or accountability for past commitments;
• Strengthened communications partnership with government and other institutions;
• Improvement in awareness of, trust in, and favourability towards the foundation;
• Strengthened profile of foundation local leadership among target audiences.

This role will report to the Deputy Director (DD) for EMEEA Communications, who is also London-based. The role will work closely with the Senior Communications Officers in our other core donor countries, our Digital Content and Partnerships Lead, the Global Communications team and others based in Seattle, as well as external partners and grantees.

The postholder will be based at the foundation’s London office, with semi-regular international travel, including to Seattle, where the foundation is headquartered.

What You'll Do

• Develop an impactful communications strategy to strengthen the foundation’s reputation and advance key advocacy goals in the UK and Brussels;
• Develop and launch the foundation’s new ‘brand’ campaign work in the UK – one of four pilot countries;
• Implement these strategies, including managing day-to-day use of foundation research, voice, message development, story pitching, spokesperson outreach and briefing, and media handling;
• Develop and implement market-specific tactical communications plans around leadership trips, EMMEA leadership, partnership announcements, and global landmark events;
• Lead the foundation’s proactive and reactive response to news cycle in market, ensuring all issues with implications for the foundation are closely tracked and that we work closely with appropriate colleagues to respond to risks as required;
• Manage and build the portfolio of strategic communications partnerships to encourage renewed political commitment to global health and development, and improve accountability for existing commitments;
• Work with the foundation’s Insights team to improve measurement of impact in market.

Your Experience

• A degree and a background in journalism, communications, public policy, or a related field is required;
• Significant professional experience in public relations or related communications field, including leading the execution of communication and campaign strategies;
• Excellent experience of working with full range of media, including print, broadcast and digital in the UK and ideally Brussels;
• Extensive experience in profile-raising and/or executive communications;
• An in-depth understanding of how government media and communications departments work, and experience of working with government institutions and with public/NGO institutions is desirable;
• Additional attributes that will be critical to success in this role: a) A demonstrable understanding of global and local politics, strong analytical approach to understand and react to real-time data and insights, and excellent judgement; b) Strong communication skills, both written and oral, and the ability to influence and negotiate with individuals at all levels internally and externally; c) Ability to assimilate and understand sometimes complex new subjects, including scientific, medical and development finance policy areas; d) Ability to confidently represent the foundation when dealing with media, strong analytical skills and sound media judgement; e) Ability to work in a fast-paced environment under deadlines, with demonstrated ability to juggle multiple and competing demands and establish priorities, remain flexible, and work collaboratively as part of a team; f) Ability to effectively cultivate and manage relationships both with internal staff and foundation partners.

Other Attributes

• Comfortable in a wide range of cultural, geographic, and operational situations, demonstrating culturally sensitive behavior with a diverse range of people and a deep commitment to development issues and high standards of personal integrity;
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.

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