(Junior) Press Officer
Finance Watch
- Brussel
- Vast
- Deeltijds
- Proactive: speak to journalists about Finance Watch’s latest work and activities;
- Reactive: respond quickly and effectively to press inquiries, cognizant of the 24/7 news cycle;
- Account management: Maintain and proactively develop good relationships with journalists working for European and national key media:
- keeping them informed of developments in Brussels;
- propose new content to journalists who have already written about Finance Watch or our topics.
- Help to manage the working relationships with Finance Watch’s Communications and Public Relations agencies.
- Use media monitoring platforms (Factiva, Onclusive) and send a daily review of media and policy news to the team;
- Maintain and enrich Finance Watch’s database of journalists (CRM);
- Disseminate high impact coverage externally;
- Contribute to the reporting of activities to funders.
- Publish content on social media (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn) that is adapted to the audience, based on Finance Watch’s key messages, policy objectives and campaigns.
- Publish content (PR, Op-eds, media monitoring) on the website using WordPress.
- In close cooperation with communication and policy officers: draft, edit, propose for signoff and deliver (in a written or oral form) press releases and briefings for national and international media;
- Draft, edit, propose for signoff and deliver punchy opinion pieces and stories for news outlets and the Finance Watch website;
- Look out for media coverage/op-ed/speaking opportunities for Finance Watch and its members.
- Identify, develop and pitch stories;
- Communicate complex technical ideas to a non-technical audience, including in plain language.
- Be aware of media trends and tools that could increase the effectiveness of the organisation’s media work;
- Contribute to the media training of colleagues;
- Proactive identification of key journalists and media via desk research, social listening & via keywords in Factiva;
- Map & segment journalists and media per topic and per country;
- Advise campaign and advocacy colleagues on media strategies for their work;
- Propose improvements of the CRM/database according to modern PR best practises.
- Contribute to Finance Watch’s editorial quality and processes;
- Contribute to the production of newsletters, blogs, storyboards and other written outputs;
- Review content for language accuracy, tone, and style ensuring that the text is concise and clear.
- Social media presence: Monitor journalists’ activity and concerns, follow and respond to relevant discussions;
- Follow public debates and help to build Finance Watch’s understanding of arguments and narratives that affect our advocacy and campaigning.
- Organising weekly knowledge-sharing meetings with the Research & Advocacy Officer responsible for the digital finance workstream;
- Keeping up-to-date on the latest developments in the workstream (for example, a new legislative proposal or participation at an important event);
- Helping with planning of Finance Watch outputs for this workstream, for example a new report or an open letter.
- You are motivated by and committed to Finance Watch’s mission;
- You are good at pitching stories and selling ideas;
- Outstanding editing and writing skills in English are essential (native proficiency);
- You have experience or training in journalism, communication, copywriting, or PR;
- Ability to manage a substantial and varied workload effectively, including managing competing demands, maintaining accuracy, and coordinating activities across diverse departments within the organisation;
- Strong Digital Communications & Marketing knowledge.
- Knowledge of the European media landscape, especially for economic and financial news coverage;
- Experience in financial journalism or in a communications role for a European institution, international NGO or the financial industry are a plus;
- Ability to work with a CRM tool (database & mailing system);
- Good digital/social media skills, and familiarity with working in multimedia contexts;
- Good judgement, political and general, to assess the most effective means of communicating information for the purpose of achieving communication goals;
- Strong team player: ability to listen and collaborate with a wide range of colleagues, members and partners;
- Excellent interpersonal skills, and experience of working in a multinational/-cultural environment;
- Results-oriented and self-motivated.
- A permanent contract under Belgian law;
- No probation period;
- 100%, or part-time negotiable;
- 40h a week;
- Hybrid (i.e. teleworking in Belgium + presence in the office in Brussels);
- A competitive salary, dependent on seniority and skillset;
- 20 days of legal holidays (prorata) per year + 1 recup day per month (prorata);
- A monthly expense allowance, amount depending on seniority;
- A laptop (for professional use);
- Full reimbursement of public transportation in Belgium;
- Lunch vouchers 8€ per working day;
- “Ecocheques” 250€ per year (prorata);
- Training possibilities;
- A multidisciplinary and multicultural working environment.
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