Global Head Of External Affairs Jobs

Hours: Full-time

Remuneration: Up to GBP £47,250 FTE gross annual (pro-rated based on a full-time equivalent salary, and dependent on experience)

Duration: Permanent

Location: UK-Med Office, Manchester, UK (hybrid working available)

Are you a dynamic, focused, and inspiring communications leader who can steer a small, motivated team to elevate our charity’s presence and impact? Could you develop and execute a comprehensive communications strategy that includes, external communications, media relations, crisis communications, social media, website management, and internal communications?

UK-Med is a frontline medical aid charity. Born of the NHS, we’ve been working for over 30 years towards a world where everyone has the healthcare they need when crises or disasters hit.

We are seeking a skilled and passionate individual to lead the communications function of a fast-growing charity delivering frontline medical aid.

As the Head of Communications, you will play a key role in amplifying UK-Med’s voice, supporting our fundraising efforts through strategic communications, and ensuring our message reaches the world’s most vulnerable people.

UK-Med has an ambitious five-year strategy (you can view it here) with a goal to generate £1 million per year from voluntary sources by 2026 to fund emergency responses and training for health staff. While fundraising remains under the purview of another department, your role will be crucial in crafting and delivering the communications that support these fundraising efforts. Our charity’s income is currently primarily statutory, and while we are relatively new to fundraising, our voluntary income has quadrupled year on year for the last three years. Earlier this year, the Board invested in the team to support the delivery of the 2021-2026 Fundraising and Communications strategy.

As Head of Communications, you will build on the promising foundations laid to deliver an exciting chapter in the charity’s development. This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious, determined, and passionate individual to make a real difference in how we communicate our mission and impact to the world. Experience in the humanitarian or international development sector is desirable, but a keen interest in global affairs and a commitment to UK-Med’s humanitarian mandate are essential.

We offer a competitive salary and benefits along with a friendly working environment and the opportunity to make a real difference through humanitarian work.

How to apply

We strongly recommend that you read the Candidate Information Pack - Head of Communications - September 2024 before applying for this role.

To apply, please submit a current CV and a supporting letter (2 pages) through our online jobs portal.

Your covering letter must include a detailed explanation of your suitability for this post with specific reference to the criteria in the person specification

Applications must be submitted no later than Monday 30th September 2024

The vacancy will close as soon as we have received enough strong applications.

Applications for work in the UK can only be accepted from people with an existing right to work in the UK.

UK-Med is committed to safeguarding of our personnel and beneficiaries and has a zero-tolerance approach to sexual exploitation and abuse. We conduct thorough vetting before any appointment is confirmed.

UK-Med is committed to the principles of diversity, equality, and inclusion. We strive to provide an inclusive and supportive environment where employees feel respected and supported to be able to fulfil their potential.

Role Summary

As our Senior Strategic PR Lead, you will develop and oversee a strategy pursuing global opportunities to influence and respond to developments that strengthen ProVeg’s impact of an international food awareness organisation. Using an evidence-based approach and real-life stories you will inform, inspire, and influence a changing food system. You will position ProVeg as a pragmatic, solutions-oriented actor within the ecosystem of plant-based, fermented and cultivated food. You will work with NGOs, companies, food-service providers, startups, investors, policy advocates, the public, and many others to amplify key messages. 

We seek a dynamic, innovative leader in PR or public affairs who thrives on driving change and making a global impact. If you're passionate about shaping the future of food and have a proven track record in strategic communications, this role offers an exciting opportunity to lead ProVeg’s global narrative.Working with international colleagues, you will be a force to be reckoned with. You’ll help establish ProVeg as the go-to organisation helping the world transition to a plant-based, fermented and cultured foods system. You’ll build on our global reputation and credibility with a wide range of stakeholders.

You will develop a strategic and effective PR plan for ProVeg, and develop and oversee communications activities that promote, enhance, and protect the organisation’s charitable mission and vision. 

Job Details

• Reports to: Global CEO

• Department: INT Communications

• Direct reports: Senior PR Manager

• Closely collaborating with: Senior International Communications Manager, Digital Director (web, brand and graphic design), Chief Strategy Officer, International Director, Director of Partnerships & Institutional Engagement, Head of Philanthropy, Country Directors, internal and external colleagues. 

• Location: Remote, ideally in the UK, NL, PL, CZ, or, for exceptional candidates, potentially US (ET zone)

• Hours: 40 hour a week (36h possible) 

• Salary: dependent on experience and location, around £45-48k in the UK (based on 1FTE of 40 hours)

Responsibilities

Strategic development and implementation

• Develop and oversee an effective PR communications strategy, including business/trade press and public affairs (EU and UN advocacy), based on ProVeg’s strategic principles, impact areas and global interventions.

• Be accountable for the development, delivery, and evaluation of the organisation’s PR activities.

• Create relations with key media outlets to increase visibility and dissemination opportunities

• Develop media relations and build relationships with PR contacts to continuously grow our impact.

• Secure media opportunities for the Senior Leadership and Executive Team and the Global CEO.

• Oversee and ensure the management of positive relationships with the media and relevant change agents, and external colleagues.

• Develop and update, as needed, clear guidance (e.g., core messaging and brand narrative) for the communications team to ensure public communications are aligned with ProVeg’s organisational strategy and communications approach.

• Increase ProVeg International’s profile, particularly in broadcast media, enhance the organisation’s credibility and inspire supporters and other stakeholders through the use of engaging communications.

• Safeguard the organisation’s brand by overseeing and managing the development of crisis communications plans and advising on emerging issues and PR risks and opportunities. 

• Liaise with the Global CEO and the Senior Leadership Team on strategic communication alignment and/or adjustments, and coordinate and ensure synergies in terms of quality control, key messages, templates, strategies, etc. 

Management and leadership

• Model excellence in (remote) team management by motivating, coaching, giving, and receiving feedback, supporting and developing teams and skills, and driving innovation and creativity.

• Advise and work with colleagues across the organisation, to ensure we maximise opportunities to raise awareness, influence, and deepen engagement with our audiences in order to support a variety of objectives.

Budget and resource management and evaluation

• Manage a dedicated budget for effective reporting and forecasting.

• Produce timely and regular management information for leadership that effectively explains performance set against OKRs, KPIs and the broader strategic plan. 

Qualifications

Required:

• An excellent understanding of the plant-based and alternative protein sector and knowledge of food systems change.

• A successful track record (5+ years) in journalism (print or broadcast), marketing, or public affairs, developing and delivering strategic objectives across a range of communications channels.

• Strong track record in PR (including broadcast), marketing and/or organisational branding.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, English to native level (or C1).

• Excellent networking skills and experience in building productive relationships with key media stakeholders and influencers.

• Strong project management skills.

• Ability to juggle a varied workload, delegate effectively and contribute as a team player.

• Strong team management skills and a commitment to motivating and empowering a team remotely in order to achieve their goals.

• High level of emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills – externally and internally; ability to balance diverse interests of different teams.

• A strong understanding of, and experience of using, quantitative and qualitative evidence.

• Strong problem solving skills.

• Experience of strategy development and target setting.

• A commitment to ProVeg’s values and guiding principles.

• An instinctive ability to positively contribute to and influence the wider team.

Preferred:

• A good understanding of data protection issues, including GDPR

• Experience of visual communication methods (video, infographics, etc.)

• Understanding of the third sector.

• International experience.

• Understanding and/or experience of policy processes and advocacy.

Benefits of working with us

• A strong organisational focus on personal development, with a designated training budget.

• Provision of a work laptop.

• Flexible, trust-based working arrangements and home-office arrangements.

• Career-development support.

• Mindfulness programme - free Headspace account

• We are a workplace that encourages everyone to bring their whole selves to work. We are an inclusive workplace for our diverse employees around the world.

• And, last but not least, become part of a great team and work with us towards a world where everyone chooses delicious and healthy food that is good for all humans, animals, and our planet!

When?

Application deadline: 27 September 2024

Start: November 2024 (or sooner if possible)

Further information

Our Application Procedure

Submit your application and motivation letter and outline how you meet the role and person specification in no more than 2 pages, and please attach your CV.

The recruitment process includes: 

• Online Cognitive Aptitude Test and a Personality Test.

• A first online interview with the People & Culture team.

• Online trial task.

• A second interview with the hiring manager.

• The final decision may require an additional interview, usually with Senior Management.

University of Oxford Development and Alumni Engagement

Project Officer – Social Sciences

University of Oxford Development and Alumni Engagement is seeking a Project Officer to join its Social Sciences Development team. This opportunity comes at an exciting time as we are expanding the team in response to increased donor interest in the world-leading research and teaching being undertaken across the Social Sciences at Oxford.

About the role:

In this role you will help identify potential donors to our academic research projects on pressing issues such as climate change, early years education and social inequality. A team player, you will have outstanding written communication and work alongside the wider team and academics to develop funding proposals, donors reports and briefing documents. You will also work on special projects that come up for the team such as event support and campaign reporting.

• Location: Hayes House, Oxford OX1 3BQ, and University Offices, Oxford OX1 2JD – hybrid working may be an option
• Salary: Grade 6: £32,332 - £38,205 per annum with a possible extension to £41,732 - with an Oxford University Weighting of £1,500 per year (pro rata)
• Contract type: Permanent, full time hours (37.5 hours per week)

To be successful you’ll need:

The successful candidate will be a highly motivated, enthusiastic individual who has meticulous attention to detail and enjoys working on multiple projects at the same time. This is a perfect role for someone who is interested in starting a career in fundraising or marketing, has a willingness to learn and is good at building relationships.

What we offer:

Your happiness and wellbeing at work matters to us, so we offer a range of family friendly and financial benefits including:

• Flexible hybrid working
• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days annual leave
• Membership to CASE
• Training and development opportunities
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle loan scheme
• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans

Application process:

• To apply for this role please click 'Apply', and complete the online application form for vacancy 175132.
• Applications must include of a CV and a letter of application, in your own words (in PDF format), outlining your motivations to apply for this role, your relevant experience and how you meet the criteria of the person specification.

Only applications received before 12.00 noon on 30 September 2024 can be considered.

Interviews are currently scheduled to take place on 15 October 2024, in person in Oxford.

Development and Alumni Engagement is committed to having a team that is made up of diverse skills and experiences. We encourage applicants from all sectors of the community and are especially keen to encourage candidates from under-represented groups to apply