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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Journalism Officer

💰 $65,000 - $85,000

CommunicationsPublic RelationsMediaJournalismContent Creation

🎯 Role Definition

As our Journalism Officer, you are the chief storyteller and media liaison for our organization. You will be at the forefront of shaping our public narrative, transforming complex initiatives into engaging, accessible content for a diverse audience. Your mission is to proactively seek out and develop stories that highlight our impact, build brand credibility, and foster strong relationships with media outlets, stakeholders, and the public. You will be instrumental in driving our communications strategy forward, ensuring our message is clear, consistent, and compelling across all channels.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Communications Coordinator / Assistant
  • Junior Reporter / Journalist
  • Public Relations Assistant

Advancement To:

  • Senior Journalism / Communications Officer
  • Media Relations Manager
  • Head of Communications / Director of Public Affairs

Lateral Moves:

  • Content Strategist
  • Digital Marketing Manager
  • Public Relations Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conceptualize, research, write, and edit a wide range of high-quality, compelling content, including press releases, news articles, feature stories, blog posts, opinion pieces, and web content that align with the organization's strategic objectives.
  • Proactively cultivate, nurture, and maintain strong working relationships with key local, national, and international journalists, editors, producers, and influencers to secure positive and prominent media coverage.
  • Develop and execute comprehensive, integrated media and communication strategies for specific campaigns, events, and reports to maximize reach, engagement, and impact.
  • Act as a primary point of contact for all media inquiries, thoughtfully managing incoming requests, pitching stories, and coordinating interviews with subject matter experts and leadership.
  • Plan, organize, and manage media events, including press conferences, media briefings, and journalist field visits, ensuring seamless logistical execution and maximum positive exposure.
  • Create and manage a dynamic editorial calendar for all communication channels, ensuring a steady stream of fresh, relevant, and engaging content.
  • Identify and develop powerful human-interest stories and case studies from our fieldwork and programs, transforming them into multimedia content for various platforms.
  • Manage and grow the organization's social media presence, creating platform-specific content, engaging with our online community, and analyzing performance metrics.
  • Produce or oversee the production of multimedia content, including photography, short videos, infographics, and audio clips, to enhance storytelling and audience engagement.
  • Monitor, track, and analyze media coverage and public discourse related to the organization and its sector, preparing regular reports on communication effectiveness and public perception.
  • Ensure all external communications adhere to brand guidelines, maintaining a consistent tone, voice, and visual identity across all outputs.
  • Write, edit, and proofread a variety of communication materials, including speeches, talking points, newsletters, annual reports, and donor-facing collateral.
  • Develop and maintain a comprehensive, up-to-date media contact database and stakeholder lists.
  • Stay abreast of emerging trends in journalism, media, and digital communications to ensure our strategies remain innovative and effective.

Secondary Functions

  • Provide communications support and media training to internal spokespeople, project staff, and senior leadership to ensure confident and on-message delivery.
  • Collaborate with policy, advocacy, and program teams to translate complex technical information into clear, persuasive, and accessible language for a general audience.
  • Contribute to crisis communications preparedness, including developing response plans and holding statements, and acting as part of the rapid response team when required.
  • Support the content management of the organization’s website, ensuring it is up-to-date, accurate, and optimized for user experience and search engines (SEO).
  • Liaise with external vendors, such as graphic designers, printers, and video production companies, to manage projects from conception to completion.
  • Assist in the development and management of the communications budget, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within financial parameters.
  • Represent the organization at external events, conferences, and meetings to network and promote our work.
  • Fact-check and verify information for all content to ensure the highest standards of accuracy and journalistic integrity.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Expert-Level Writing & Editing: Mastery of AP Style or similar journalistic writing standards, with a portfolio showcasing versatility across different formats (news, feature, web, social).
  • Media Pitching & Relations: Proven ability to successfully pitch stories and build a strong network of media contacts.
  • Content Management Systems (CMS): Proficiency with CMS platforms like WordPress, Drupal, or similar for website content updates.
  • Multimedia Production: Hands-on experience with photography and video editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro) and graphic design tools (e.g., Adobe InDesign, Canva).
  • Social Media Management Tools: Expertise in using platforms like Hootsuite, Sprout Social, or Buffer for scheduling, monitoring, and analytics.
  • Media Monitoring Software: Experience with services like Cision, Meltwater, or Muck Rack to track media coverage and sentiment.
  • SEO Fundamentals: Solid understanding of search engine optimization principles to apply to web content and articles.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional Storytelling: An innate ability to identify and frame compelling narratives that resonate with and move audiences.
  • Strategic Thinking: The capacity to develop communication plans that align with and advance broader organizational goals.
    live-saving and life-changing work.
  • Deadline-Driven & Composed Under Pressure: Thrives in a fast-paced environment, capable of managing multiple projects and tight deadlines with a calm and focused approach, especially during crisis situations.
  • Creativity & Innovation: A natural curiosity and drive to find new, creative ways to tell stories and engage audiences.
  • Impeccable Attention to Detail: A meticulous eye for grammar, spelling, and factual accuracy, ensuring all communications are polished and professional.
  • Superior Interpersonal & Communication Skills: Excellent verbal communication and relationship-building skills for effective media liaison, stakeholder engagement, and internal collaboration.
  • Adaptability & Resilience: Flexible and able to pivot strategies quickly in response to a changing media landscape or organizational priorities.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field.

Preferred Education:

  • Master's Degree in Journalism, Strategic Communications, or a related discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Journalism
  • Communications / Mass Communication
  • Public Relations
  • English or Creative Writing
  • Marketing

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 3-5 years of professional experience in a journalism, media relations, or communications role.

Preferred:

  • Experience working within a non-profit/NGO, government agency, international organization, or in a corporate communications department with a strong public-facing mission. A portfolio of published work and successful media placements is highly desirable.
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