Location: Brussels office

Job Duration: Indefinite

Starting Date: Indefinite

Application Deadline: 23 October 2024

ClientEarth’s teams across the world use the law to create powerful change and a future where people
and planet thrive together. Communications plays a key role in this work. We use a strategic approach to
communications to influence decision-making and drive behaviour change.
This role will create and execute hard-hitting, strategic communications interventions to enhance the
impact of some of our highest profile and most innovative legal work. It will combine a global outlook on
our work with specific knowledge and expertise on the key audiences we need to reach in Brussels. This
role will plan and implement outcome-focused communications that help deliver our organisational and
impact objectives.

Working Relationships

The Communications Officer will report to a Communications Manager in our Brussels office and will
work very closely with other members of the communications team based in London and elsewhere in
Europe.
Beyond the Communications team, the Communications Officer will have key working relationships with:
• Our programmes staff, to ensure priority work has the maximum possible impact
• The Head of Brussels and colleagues in the Public Affairs and Policy Unit, to target political
stakeholders and develop the most impactful policy messaging
• Colleagues in the Digital team, to enhance communications around our priority legal work through our
digital channels
• Other colleagues across the External Affairs team, including those working on development and
supporter engagement

Responsibilities

Strategic communications and media work
• Create high-impact communications that help to engage and influence key stakeholders and target
audiences.
• Work with the Communications Manager to deliver sustained, high-profile, positive communications,
including through the media, in support of our programmatic objectives.
• Work closely with Digital Communications colleagues to enhance the impact of our legal and
advocacy work.
• Work with colleagues in programmes, Public Affairs and the Head of Brussels to ensure our
communications activities contribute to our advocacy objectives.
• Develop, implement and measure innovative communications work to support the strategic
objectives.
• Work with the Communications Manager, and other colleagues to build and deliver communications
strategies.
• Prepare ClientEarth staff for media and speaking opportunities using influential, impactful
messaging.

Relationship management

• Represent ClientEarth in relevant national and international coalitions, for example when coordinating
communications initiatives with other NGOs or stakeholders, as required, bringing our expertise to the
table and adding value to joint communications.
• Develop relationships to match the strategic needs of our work, including with journalists, partner
organisations and others who can help us deliver our messages. Ensure that these relationships are
well managed and documented.
• Act as a trusted communications advisor to colleagues, ensuring that they make the most of
communications opportunities.
This list is not exhaustive and the selected candidate will be required to undertake other relevant tasks.

Experience and knowledge

•  Devising and implementing high-profile, fast-paced communications work experience.
(essential)
•  Working with national and international media to land stories and organisational
messages that further agreed strategic aims experience (essential)
•  Briefing colleagues and preparing them for media interviews experience (essential)
• Experience of working with a wide range of partner organisations, such as other NGOs, in
coalitions or on a one-to-one basis to ensure coordinated communications. (desirable)
• Knowledge of the risks in communicating about legal issues, including the principles of
defamation. (desirable)
• A Knowledge of Brussels and national media outlets, with contacts in key publications. (essential)
• Knowledge of the workings of key political and financial systems in the Brussels context.
(essential)
• Interest in environmental issues such as climate change, and their social ramifications and an
awareness of the climate campaigning landscape at both grassroots and NGO level. (essential)

Key competencies

•(CEFR level C2) in English (essential)
•(CEFR level C2) in another European language (essential)
• Outstanding written and oral communications skills including ability and confidence to adapt
language, content and style to make communications relevant to policymakers, funders, press
and others (essential).
• Strategic thinker with an ability to spot and take advantage of opportunities to achieve change
(essential).
• Having an ability to work under pressure and ability to react positively in the light of shifting and competing
timelines (essential).
• Ability to work both independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative manner and interact with
people in a matrix arrangement across a multi-disciplinary and multicultural team (essential).
• Critical thinking, highly creative and solutions-oriented approach (essential).
• Openness to learning and new ideas and ability to grasp concepts quickly and explain them to
new audiences (essential).
• Comfortable with remote or matrix management and working in a global organisation (essential)
• Strong alignment with  values and commitment to our vision, and mission and equity,
diversity and inclusion strategy objectives (essential)

Official Link

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