Communications and advocacy officer, Europe and Central Asia

Crisis Group seeks a communication and advocacy officer in our Europe & Central Asia Program, a pivotal role in promoting our analysis on the changing regional and global environment amid Russia’s war on Ukraine.

The successful candidate will be responsible for growing the reach and profile of program staff working across Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, the Western Balkans, the South Caucasus and beyond. Working with program leadership and staff, they will design and implement a high-level media and advocacy strategy to disseminate Crisis Group’s analysis and policy recommendations in the region, including outreach to media, international organisations and governments.

We seek a motivated, dedicated, and energetic teammate with a deep understanding of regional politics and a flair for storytelling, including via video, data-driven graphics and social media. The job will involve working with a specialised, professional team of analysts to draft and place opinion pieces, develop new strategic relationships and use innovative approaches to promote their work with journalists and policymakers.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a distinguished record over at least five years working full-time in communication and/or high-level advocacy for an international organisation or as a reporter for a major news outlet. Evidence of past successes in collaborative projects and settings is essential. Applicants must have working knowledge of Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish or another regional language.

Responsibilities:

• Design and implement a media and advocacy strategy for the Europe & Central Asia Program, in close collaboration with the program leadership, staff and Crisis Group’s advocacy and communications teams
• Ensure the findings and recommendations of Crisis Group’s reports on the region are widely disseminated
• Build and maintain relationships with media outlets
• Assist in writing and editing op-eds as well as producing online content and multimedia materials
• Organise events and ensure Crisis Group’s participation in key regional conference and programs
• Support with the recruitment and managing short-term staff to support communication and advocacy work as needed
• Assist in fundraising, in collaboration with the program leadership and Crisis Group’s development department

Requirements include:

• Minimum 5 years’ work experience in journalism, communications or advocacy, including and especially in the region;
• Experience working in or with the media, including television and press interviews;
• Skilled at storytelling in print, social media and audio-visual materials;
• Excellent verbal and written fluency in English
• Working proficiency in Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish or another regional language;
• Deep knowledge of conflict issues and politics in the Europe & Central Asia region;
• Excellent interpersonal relations, a collegial attitude as well as the desire and ability to travel.