Communications and Media Manager

[Admin]

Country: Switzerland

Organization: International Service for Human Rights

Closing date: 1 Sep 2021

Work percentage: 70-80%
Based in: Geneva, Switzerland
Reports to: Communications Director
Preferred start date: 15 October 2021 or ASAP thereafter

The International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) is an independent, non-profit organisation with
offices in Geneva and New York. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to our work
supporting human rights defenders, strengthening human rights systems, building and leading
human rights coalitions, and responding to significant and systemic human rights concerns. For
more information, consult our website www.ishr.ch.

• The position

The position is based in ISHR’s office in Geneva, Switzerland. Under the supervision of the
Communications Director, the Communications and Media Manager plays a key role in developing
and implementing ISHR’s global communication strategy and in achieving ISHR’s campaign and
advocacy objectives. As an aspect of this, the position will have significant responsibility for
strengthening ISHR’s media engagement and profile.

The position holder will work very closely within the Communications team with the Director and the
Digital Communications Officers, as well as with the broader global ISHR team, in particular with the Campaign and Mobilisation Manager and with the Programme Managers. Furthermore, it is
envisioned that the position holder becomes part of ISHR’s Strategic Priority Cluster on Equality and Non-Discrimination, or other relevant ISHR programmatic clusters.

• Key responsibilities

● Media outreach: Help position ISHR as a go-to organisation for relevant journalists and news
media on issues related to human rights defenders. Contribute to the regular update of ISHR’s
media strategy. Identify, map and nurture relationships with journalists and news media
relevant to the implementation of ISHR’s communications strategy and campaigns. Select the
right PR tool for every campaign or opportunity, produce and disseminate content in line with
ISHR’s messaging strategy. Pitch stories to relevant journalists and manage media enquiries
and events. Measure impact and keep records of coverage.

● Messaging strategy: Further develop, model and contribute to the diffusion of ISHR’s new
narratives strategy, including by drafting texts and helping review articles and other
communications products, such as videos. Help select appropriate visuals for ISHR’s online
and offline communication products.

● Publications: Coordinate the production of ISHR print and online publications. This includes
defining publication schedules, editing articles/texts, coordinating contributions from different
authors, supervising all external suppliers (such as translators, graphic designers, printers),
providing input on design and format, and ensuring high quality products in a cost-effective
and timely manner.

● Event support and communications: Lead the scheduling and production of tools needed to
effectively engage our audiences to attend ISHR events, including promoting the event on
ISHR website, designing, drafting and sending out invitations and registrations forms, creating
flyers and disseminating news about the event on social media. If required, support the online
delivery and the live streaming of the event and/or handle photography coverage of the event.

● Newsletters and mass mailings: Manage the production of ISHR’s digital publications and
newsletters, such as the monthly Human Rights Monitor, Human Rights Council Monitor,
General Assembly Monitor and Kumulika: African Commission Monitor.

● Videography: Help produce ISHR’s series of “Defenders' stories'' by continuously improving
the format and concept, identifying potential participants, arranging interview shootings,
editing footage and publishing. Help create or edit other videos as required, with or without the
support of external producers.

● ISHR’s digital channels and tools: Assist in supervising the maintenance and development
of ISHR’s website and contribute new ideas to continuously improve the usability and
relevance of the website for target audiences. Participate in maintaining and building ISHR’s
presence on social media channels. Assist in managing the continued development and use
of ISHR’s contact relationship management system (CRM).

● Capacity building: Share knowledge internally and externally in order to enhance
communications expertise within ISHR, on subjects such as media training, new narratives
implementation, use of visuals, writing for the web, use of communications platforms etc.

• Qualifications,experience and qualities
  Essential

● A passion for communicating human rights stories effectively and for encouraging uptake
by media and other sources;
● University degree or diploma in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism
or related fields;
● Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience;
● Native-level oral and written English, including excellent drafting and editing skills,
with full oral and written proficiency in at least one additional language a significant
advantage (French and/or Spanish);
● Strong command of Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Google suite, Adobe Creative Cloud,
video editing softwares; and demonstrated ability to learn how to operate new
softwares quickly;
● Demonstrated interest in human rights;
● Proven project management, time management and organisational skills;
● Ability to multi-task and work independently under pressure to meet tight deadlines;
● Excellent communication and people skills;
● Able to work as a member of an international, agile and diverse organisation;
● Swiss Work Permit or EU/EFTA national.

Desirable

● Experience working for an NGO and/or on human rights thematics;
● Familiarity and/or experience with equality, non-discrimination, diversity and inclusion
thematics;
● A good level of knowledge of MailChimp and WordPress;
● A basic knowledge of analytics and reporting;
● Experience and established contacts with Swiss, US or international journalists and news
agencies,
● Experience using CiviCRM or another customer relationship management system.

• Salary

The monthly salary is within the range of CHF 6500 to CHF 6650 (for a full-time role - will be
pro-rated for an 70-80% occupation rate) depending on qualifications and experience.

• Equal opportunity

ISHR is firmly committed to having a diverse team and to the principle of equal employment
opportunity. ISHR's policy is to practice fair and non-discriminatory recruitment and selection
procedures and strive for international and multicultural personnel.

Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race,
colour, national origin, age, religion, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity and
expression or sex characteristics, pregnancy, national origin, genetic information, protected veteran
status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We particularly welcome applications from under-represented groups, including women, persons of
colour, LGBTIQ+ candidates, persons with disabilities and other groups.

How to apply:

Please submit your application by filling out this form and attaching a cover letter, a CV (no profile
picture please) and examples of your previous communication and media work including one writing sample (articles, mailings, print publications, social media posts, videos, photos etc). ISHR will review these products only for the purpose of this recruitment and will not use them for any other purpose.

In their cover letter, candidates should demonstrate their commitment to human rights and social
change.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

• Privacy policy

All applications will be handled in accordance with ISHR’s Privacy Policy.

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