Head of Media, Europe – UK or NL

Location: London, Edinburgh, or The Hague, NL Position Status: Full-time, permanent Travel: up to 20% Salary: Edinburgh:circa 45K-47K, London: circa 53K-55K, The Hague: circa 52K-54K + benefits Closing Date: apply with CV and Cover Letter by July 24th

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK or NL at the time of appointment.

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organisation powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In conflict, in disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.

Mercy Corps in Europe has grown rapidly in terms of volume of activity and complexity. With support offices in Edinburgh, London, The Hague and Geneva. The breadth and impact of our programmes makes Mercy Corps a unique and truly rewarding place to work. Our teams are proud of what we achieve and we are always looking for talented individuals who share our passion and commitment.

The Role

The Head of Media for Europe is the strategic lead for all Mercy Corps Europe external media and communications, working to elevate Mercy Corps’ profile and advance influence priorities among top tier media reaching target European audiences and supporting the organisation’s profile and influence goals globally. S/he is required to deliver and implement strategy and communications plans for Mercy Corps to attract donors, policy champions and advocates through earned media and compelling storytelling.

The Head of Media for Europe reports into the global communications team, within the marketing and communications department. The marketing and communications team tells the Mercy Corps story to the organization’s most important audiences in a clear and compelling way. We boldly share Mercy Corps’ global impact with our audiences, with a focus on building trust, engagement and long-term relationships among our global team members and with our supporters. We inspire financial support and partnership through transparency, inclusivity, creativity and best-in-class storytelling.

Essential Job Responsibilities

● Lead the European Media and Communications strategy to inform and engage priority external audiences about the work of Mercy Corps to advance profile, influence and fundraising goals in Europe. .

● Collaborate with the Senior Director of Communications to ensure the global media relations strategy aligns with overarching communications goals; contribute to overall profile-raising, influence and fundraising strategies with a focus on engagement with top tier UK and European media.

● Works directly with the office of the Europe Executive Director (ED). Evaluates and recommends opportunities for raising the profile of the Executive Director, and Chief Executive Officer, in Europe.

● Promotes and monitors the media profile of the ED, including drafting talking points and interview briefs.

● Deliver high standard, targeted media relations and build strategic relationships with key global media outlets, with a primary focus on UK and European top tier media, to drive coverage and awareness about Mercy Corps’ work.

● Serve as an on-the-record spokesperson and represents Mercy Corps in internal and external fora.

● In close partnership with the Senior Director of Communications and Vice President of Marketing and Development, manage issues and communications strategy related to reputational risk and crisis communications.

● Partner with Europe Programmes, Fundraising, Policy & Advocacy to ensure media and communications initiatives advance fundraising, advocacy, marketing and mission goals.

● Provide media training to Mercy Corps Europe and global team members as appropriate.

● Act as Global Media Lead, when appropriate, and take responsibility for becoming a subject matter expert in the assigned topic area, drafting talking points, pitching stories and keeping key stakeholders informed, including leading media relations function during global emergency response moments.

● Manage European HQ input into global assets and other global initiatives as they occur.

● Stay current on best practices in media and communications strategies and innovations across industries.

● Manage the activities and support the professional development of the Media and Communications Officer.

Other Responsibilities

● To observe all health and safety requirements.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Media & Communications Officer

ACCOUNTABILITY:

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Senior Director of Communications Team

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Europe Senior Leadership Team, Policy and Advocacy team, Programme teams globally, Resource Development team, Global Director of Communications, Managing Director, Communications; Managing Director, Digital Marketing; Managing Director, Brand Marketing; Vice President, Marketing & Communications teams.

Knowledge and Experience

● 8 years of professional experience in communications, media relations or journalism required with increasing responsibilities.

● Established track record of generating positive media coverage in European outlets; established relationships with media in or reporting for these markets preferred.

● Proven experience as an effective on-the-record spokesperson with print, broadcast and online media. A “Nose for news” and understanding of what makes a story viable to the international press.

● Superior written and verbal communications skills are a must; ability to “translate” technical language into compelling stories needed.

● Strong leadership skills with a proven track record of excellent communication, ability to delegate and commitment to inspiring and growing a high-performing team. Direct supervisory experience.

● Experience in international development or knowledge of development issues preferred.

Success Factors

● Demonstrated ability to learn and adapt quickly to changing environment

● Strategic thinker who is able to ensure systems are in place to support growth and change within the organization

● Inquisitive and questioning mind in pursuit of increased efficiencies to contribute to organizations impact

● Demonstrated strong team leadership and direct management skills and commitment to individual development

● Strong communication skills and a commitment to “inclusiveness” and consensus-building

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in London or Edinburgh and works closely with a globally dispersed team across multiple time-zones. Travel is estimated at 15-25% of the time, including to Mercy Corps field locations, which may be in remote and insecure locations. Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in an international posting or on a visit/TDY to an international posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere toMercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.