Strategic Communications and Media Manager

DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic communications

• Lead the development, implementation, and management of MAP s strategic communications and support public engagement initiatives.

• Oversee the organisation s language and messaging frameworks, including the maintenance of the language guide and key messaging documents to ensure clarity, consistency, and alignment with MAP s mission and communications objectives.

• Develop, implement and manage integrated, cross channel communications plans and strategies.

• Bring a prospector s mindset, spotting openings, anticipating debate moments and positioning MAP ahead of the curve rather than reacting to events.

• Support the organisation in contributing to crisis communications planning and responding to mitigate reputational risks.

Media management

• Lead on the development and delivery of high-impact content to raise MAP s profile and influence, and to drive public and supporter engagement.

• Actively seek out and develop opportunities for MAP to shape public, political and sector debates, including through opinion pieces, broadcast opportunities, podcasts, industry and specialist media, conferences and high-level events.

• Manage MAP s Senior Media and Communications Officer, fostering professional growth, confidence and judgement. Conduct regular one to ones, appraisals, and support their work.

• Manage the production, review and sign off of all media materials including press releases, op-eds, letters to the editor, media updates, and other external communications content where necessary. Ensure efficient delegation where required.

• Lead media engagement, including briefing spokespeople and coordinating MAP s responses to media inquiries, ensuring delegation where required.

• Provide high-quality briefing, messaging development, and media preparation for senior staff engaging externally.

• Maintain and build strong, trusted relationships with journalists and editors across UK and international media.

• Alert MAP s staff to imminent news and current affairs stories, and recommend communications actions or restraint as appropriate.

Advocacy and campaigns communications

• Develop strategic communications plans for MAP s advocacy and campaigning initiatives (such as, party conferences, parliamentary and UN engagement), identifying media opportunities, and ensuring key messaging is aligned with advocacy objectives and reaches targeted audiences.

• Work closely with MAP s Advocacy and Campaigns Team to amplify campaign impact through coordinated media and supporter-facing communications.

• Strengthen MAP s role in advocacy coalitions by leading collaborative media and communications outputs with partners.

• Help ensure that communities MAP supports have a voice in campaigns, that their perspectives shape messaging and that communications do not expose staff, partners or communities to undue risk.

• Advise on the strategic communication opportunities to profile and disseminate policy and research outputs.

General responsibilities

• Support the mission, ethos and values of MAP.

• Support advocacy and research functions as required.

• Manage external suppliers providing design, printing and other support as required.

• Represent MAP at external meetings including with media, partners and supporters, and deliver talks when required.

• Carry out fact-checking, proof-reading/copy editing and other administrative tasks as needed.

• Carry out other associated duties as may arise in line with the broad remit of the position.

• Support and promote diversity and equality of opportunity in the workplace.

• Work collaboratively with others in all aspects of our work.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Experience and knowledge

• Substantial, relevant and recent experience of communications at a national and/or international level within humanitarian, healthcare or human rights organisations.

• Strong track record of developing and implementing communications strategies to achieve advocacy and fundraising objectives.

• Experience in overseeing organisational language and messaging frameworks in politically sensitive contexts.

• Strong experience in media relations, including briefing spokespeople, drafting press releases, reactive and proactive media handling, and securing media coverage.

• Understanding of digital communications and campaign tools (e.g., petitions, email campaigns) and audience engagement strategies.

• Experience working with fundraising/marketing teams, consultants and agencies.

• Strong understanding of political risk, reputational management and crisis communications.

• Knowledge and understanding of the political context and of development and humanitarian issues in Palestine and Lebanon and the wider Middle East is desirable.

Skills and abilities

• Strong communicator (written and oral) and persuasive storyteller.

• In depth understanding of how media can be a tool for influence and to achieve change.

• Confident interpersonal, influencing and relationship management skills, and an ability to pitch stories persuasively to media and other targets.

• Creativity and a willingness to innovate.

• Fluent written and spoken English.

• Ability to prioritise and ability to deal with competing demands in a fast-paced working environment.

• Ability to work collaboratively and independently, with sound judgement and discretion.

• Keen attention to detail, copy/proof editing and quality control on all outputs.

• Working knowledge of Arabic is an advantage.

Personal attributes and other requirements

• Commitment to human rights, international justice, and promoting Palestinian participation in communications and campaigns.

• Able to travel extensively within London and the UK and willingness to travel to Lebanon and the occupied Palestinian territory occasionally as required.

• Able to work occasionally on evenings and weekends, with time off in lieu.

• Commitment to advancing anti-racism, anti-discrimination and equal opportunities.