Media and Campaigns Support Officer

An exciting opportunity to engage the media and drive real change. Join the Dignity in Dying team and help lead a national campaign for assisted dying law reform.

Dignity in Dying is the UK s leading campaign for assisted dying law reform. We fight for a compassionate assisted dying law for terminally ill, mentally competent adults. We are a national campaign and membership organisation campaigning for change across the UK.

Compassion in Dying is a national charity working to amplify people s voices, shift attitudes and drive changes to the healthcare system so people s end-of-life decisions are heard, understood and respected when it matters most. We support people to start honest conversations about death and dying, and record and revisit their wishes whenever they want to.

The role

We are looking for an experienced, proactive media professional to join our team during a crucial phase of Dignity in Dying s campaign. We welcome applicants with a strong news-sense, political nous and a flair for story-telling who can use the media and other channels to effectively influence a range of audiences. At a pivotal time for the movement for choice at the end of life, the successful candidate will be a team-player who can communicate complex subject matter in compelling and creative ways, keep abreast of media and political trends, support the delivery of national and regional comms plans and champion the voices of terminally ill people and bereaved families - both inside and outside Parliament.

Key responsibilities

• Support the Campaigns and Communications team in monitoring, evaluating and securing media coverage, along with developing and rolling out campaign activities.
• Assist in the efficient running of the press office including responding to incoming media enquiries in a timely manner, drafting and issuing media comments, compiling spokesperson briefings, and building and maintaining media lists.
• Oversee our media monitoring and its timely dissemination to staff, stakeholders and supporters, identifying where reactive responses are necessary or where there are proactive opportunities.
• Use the media monitoring to understand different media outlets' tone and framing of the issue, how this can impact our messaging and influence further opportunities for the campaign.
• Act as key point of contact with relevant suppliers, i.e. media monitoring providers, to ensure efficiency and value for money, identifying and acting upon opportunities for improvement.
• Support the organisation s work with terminally ill people and bereaved relatives who act as personal stories and spokespeople for our campaigns, projects and programmes, namely by responding to those who get in touch to share their experience in a professional, sensitive and timely manner, assessing suitability for media or other campaign work, and triaging to other members of the team where appropriate.
• Maintain and update the personal story database to ensure usability and access from relevant members of the team while ensuring GDPR is upheld.
• Work with the Media & Campaigns Officer to secure local and regional coverage of personal stories, influential figures, local campaign activity and relevant research, informed by our national media strategy and plans.
• Work closely with the Officer and Manager to plan media logistics for demonstrations, liaising with journalists, being proactive to ensure the smooth running of the event, and supporting personal stories and spokespeople.

About you

Essential Experience

• Experience of working in a media and/or campaigns role.

• Demonstrable creative skills and ability to develop new ideas.

• Good organisational skills and experience of working flexibly and nimbly to focus on a variety of tasks.

• Past examples of being able to work with minimal direction and with own initiative.

Desirable Experience

• Demonstrable ability to turn complex arguments into clear, concise and engaging messages understandable to a range of audiences.

• An interest in politics, current affairs and debates on legal and ethical issues.

• Experience of monitoring and analysing media coverage, and drafting and issuing comment to the media.

• Experience of dealing with sensitive subject matter and interacting with advocates, campaigners or service users with personal experiences.

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communications skills, with the ability to communicate persuasively with internal and external stakeholders.

• Good interpersonal skills including the ability to build and manage relations with journalists, case studies, patrons and other supporters more generally and the ability to work constructively in a team.

• Ability to empathise with people who may be distressed and in difficult circumstances.

• Ability to plan, organise and prioritise own work to manage conflicting priorities and ensure deadlines and objectives are met.

• Excellent attention to detail and good IT skills, including databases, excel spreadsheets, word-processing, e-mail and internet.

• Willingness and ability to develop new skills and assimilate new information.

Values

Commitment to Dignity in Dying s vision and mission.

Commitment to Compassion in Dying s vision and mission.

Organisational behaviours

Leading by example - You lead by example through your behaviours and motivate others through your professional approach to work.

Trust and respect others - You are aware of your impact on others and treat other people with kindness and respect. You value diversity and listen carefully to understand the views of others.

Proactive and supportive team member - You work with others to reach a common goal by sharing information and supporting

colleagues.

Strive to be the best - With a positive attitude, you work to a high standard to meet personal and organisational expectations.

Responsibility and initiative - You take ownership of your work and take responsibility for your actions and decisions. You use your initiative and take pride in what you do.