Centre for Alternative Technology

Job Description

Media Officer

Responsible to: Overview and PSM

Persons responsible for: Assistant Media Officer and a long term volunteer

Salary: £17,485 p.a.

Working Hours: 40 per week. Post will involve working some weekends and evenings

Job Summary;

This is a full-time post but it would be possible for the successful candidate to negotiate to work a 4 day (32 hour) week and we would also consider applications for job sharing.

CAT works at the cutting edge of some of the most urgent and complex problems facing the planet. We're looking for someone who can communicate these issues to the public using the media. Climate change, global justice and energy security are now some of the most talked about topics in the press, on TV and on the web. You'll make sure that CAT's voice is heard on these issues. You'll have an excellent grasp of the media landscape and be confident communicating with journalists, TV producers and other media professionals. You will also have an excellent understanding of new and social media and how CAT can best use these platforms. Ideally you will be a Welsh speaker.

As well as hands on media work you'll also be responsible for setting the direction CAT's media presence and making strategic decisons about how we communicate. Therefore you'll have a sound understanding of media planning and communication strategy and have the drive to turn your plans into tangible results. You'll be leading a small team to help you deliver your results so you must be capable of motivating and inspiring your colleagues to deliver excellent work.

The role of the media department is to find engaging and exciting ways to communicate what are often complicated and controversial topics. A solid understanding of the issues we work on and how to communicate them effectively is essential.

On completion of a six-month probationary period, the postholder will become a permanent member of staff.

Responsibilities:

Press and media relations

To devise, implement and review the media strategy for CAT.

To liaise with other departments at CAT in order to identify key media opportunities to raise the profile of CAT and promote our aims and objectives.

To be the principle point of contact for media enquiries in order to provide information.

To co-ordinate visits from journalists, radio and TV crews.

To protect the reputation of CAT by screening media contacts

Identify the most appropriate spokesperson on behalf of CAT for specific situations.

To write editorial and media releases.

To ensure that all media outputs are proof read and accurate.

To build and manage relationships with media contacts

To advise other members of staff on media activity and co-ordinate media interviews.

To keep appropriate records of media coverage and maintain an archive.

To produce and distribute media information packs.

To maintain accurate records of media contacts to ensure they are managed effectively.

To analyse and review media coverage in order to monitor performance.

To get technical articles by CAT staff published in high profile magazines and journals.

To manage the image library in order to maximise publicity and profitability for the organisation.

To keep up-to-date with developments in the media, new technologies and the work of CAT, in order to disseminate information to the media in the most efficient and appropriate manner.

To work alongside the Consultancy department on media consultancy projects.

To give advice to the Special Projects Team regarding media aspects of special projects

Assisting with Public Relations

To co-ordinate press launches and events at CAT.

Assisting with the development of the Centre’s ‘corporate image’.

Editorial Committee of Clean Slate – CAT’s membership magazine (together with the membership co-ordinator and publications department)

To take an active role in the Editorial Committee for Clean Slate and to contribute to the general development of the magazine.

To co-ordinate the CAT News section of Clean Slate based on recent press releases, the ‘Practical Solutions’ section, and to source the magazine’s images.

Other

To set, manage and monitor the departmental budget.

To ensure that the Assistant Media Officer and long term volunteer receive adequate supervision and training.

To have an active role in the external relations group

To participate in the management of the organisation.

To comply with Health and Safety Regulations

To undertake other duties as required by the organisation, e.g. rotas.

The Successful Candidate will have the following:

Essential Skills:

Demonstrable experience in similar role

Excellent verbal and written communications skills

Positive and enthusiastic disposition

Ability to influence motivate and negotiate diplomatically with the media

Be comfortable with public speaking and giving interviews

Experience of event organisation

Knowledge of sustainability and related issues

Understand the role of PR and the media within a promotional team

Experience of managing a busy office including staff supervision and budgeting

Methodical approach to record keeping

Ability to prioritise workload

Be computer literate

Commitment to the aims of CAT, equal opportunities and Health and Safety (own and that of colleagues)

Ability to work irregular hours including some weekends and evenings and occasionally stay away overnight

Highly Desirable Skills:

Ability to speak Welsh

Desirable Skills:

Good visual awareness

An eye for effective promotional images

Ability to take high definition photographs

Journalistic experience would be an advantage

Database experience

Experience of using a Mac computer

Qualification in the environmental field

Experience of sustainability and related issues

Thank you for your interest in this position. To apply:

By email:-

Please download job application form below, complete as fully as possible and return as an attachment to vacancy@cat.org.uk

Download Job Application Form (Word document)

Online:-

Please click the button below and complete the online form as fully as possible:

IMPORTANT!

Applications will only be accepted with a completed application form

Closing date for applications is: 05/07/2009

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