Senior Media Officer at Sightsavers

We’re looking for an experienced Senior Media Officer to secure high-impact media coverage of our disability rights campaigns and projects.

This role will see you lead media campaigns that play a pivotal role in Sightsavers’ Equal World campaign. Using voices of campaigners from the countries we work in your work will help influence policy to improve the lives of people with disabilities. This year is particularly exciting as we launch Equal World at a country-level in Zimbabwe.

In addition, you will promote Sightsavers’ inclusion programmes, which ensure people with disabilities, of all ages and genders, everywhere can access health, education, and employment without fear of stigma or discrimination.

Responsibilities

Deliver and develop a media plan to support the inclusion communication strategy, working within a framework of organisational communication objectives. This includes:   

• Identifying proactive editorial opportunities and trending conversations to raise the profile of Sightsavers with key audiences through relevant media.
• Researching and developing story ideas about inclusion programmes and the issues which drive them.

External and internal stakeholder management   

• Sit on the crisis communications team and help manage incidents and issues that pose a reputational risk to Sightsavers
• Maintain good relationships with key stakeholders with Sightsavers and at our partner organisations for productive, mutually beneficial partnerships.

The principal accountabilities are not meant to be an exhaustive list of tasks. The need for flexibility is required and the job holder is expected to carry out any other related duties that are within the employee's skills and abilities whenever reasonably instructed. 

Skills and Experience

• Demonstrable experience of working in a policy or campaigns focussed media role for several years. 
• Excellent knowledge of national and international media and social media. 
• Ability to pitch international/development stories to the consumer, national and international media. 
• Good understanding of international development and health, preferably including inclusion related issues. 
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to tailor messages to different audiences and platforms. 
• A collaborative, tenacious, and committed approach, with the ability to work well within a team and with external stakeholders. 
• A willingness to travel occasionally to Sightsavers programme countries, as required.