Media Officer

Position description

Avaaz is an international campaigning and advocacy organization that provides its global membership of almost 70 million people with opportunities to make our world a better place.

We’re one of the world’s largest online global campaigning movements, with people from every corner in the world taking action to close the gap between the world we have and the world most people everywhere want. This includes protecting human rights worldwide, supporting indigenous struggles, saving our planet from climate change and other threats, and fighting to stop disinformation and other cyber threats from undermining our democracies.

Our model enables people to channel their voices into a powerful collective force at tipping point moments to impact the pressing global challenges of our time, from climate and ecological collapse to human rights abuses and the dismantling of democracy. Avaaz is funded through small donations from individual Avaaz members, no big money from governments or corporations. This keeps us independent and allows us to keep a laser focus on doing what the world needs.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Media Officer in Brussels to join our Media team.

You will bring a journalist’s instinct, a press officer’s network, and a communicator’s creativity to the role. This is a unique opportunity to design and deliver hard-hitting media and communications strategies from one of the world´s political hubs. Your work will often be targeted at the heart of the EU Bubble, mobilizing European audiences in defense of human rights, democracy, and the environment. But the role is broader than that, and you will have the opportunity to work on issues and audiences beyond Europe.

This role reports to the Media Director, and will cooperate closely with our Campaign and Digital Content teams.

Responsibilities

Strategy & Planning

• Develop and implement engaging and human-centered media and communications strategies, often – but not exclusively – tailored to EU politicians, leaders, policymakers and audiences;
• Identify and seize opportunities for media-led campaigns, including rapid-response interventions.

Content & Messaging

• Draft and edit media materials, including press releases, talking points, op-eds, and briefings;
• Frame compelling narratives that resonate across diverse European audiences;
• Publish and edit online content to amplify our campaign goals.

Media Engagement

• Proactively pitch and secure coverage in Brussels and pan-European outlets;
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with journalists, editors, and influencers across the EU bubble;
• Prepare and train spokespeople for high-stakes media appearances, and when necessary act as the Avaaz spokesperson.

Campaign Delivery

• Lead the media execution of both physical and digital campaign actions, including stunts and rapid-turnaround events, such as stunts;
• Support the development of creative tactics that combine storytelling, visuals, and moments designed for maximum impact.

Qualifications

• Professional experience in journalism, campaigning or communications, with an understanding of how the media works, what makes a media story, and how to use the media to achieve campaign goals;
• Solid media and journalist connections and networks in Brussels – and a desire to expand and deepen them;
• Good understanding of EU politics and media, with enthusiasm to deepen knowledge and learn to navigate the Brussels Bubble;
• Compelling storytelling and framing skills, ability to translate complex context into emotionally resonant, actionable narratives;
• Strong and confident verbal and written communicator, in order to build relationships with media, journalists and press officers, and draft interesting media materials like press releases, opinion pieces and more;
• Event coordination experience and organisation skills; in order to facilitate press conferences, stunts and impactful visits to Brussels by important voices who need to be heard within the halls of power;
• Focused and impact-oriented mindset, able to effectively work in a fast-paced, high-impact campaigning environment, managing shifting priorities and urgent deadlines;
• High professionalism and delivery orientation, with proven ability to deliver high-quality work at speed, balancing accuracy, clarity, and impact under intense pressure or periods;
• Sustaining performance through effective stress and workload management, to maintain high performance and personal wellbeing;
• Strong collaboration skills across teams to deliver rapid, impactful campaigns while upholding Avaaz’s values and mission;
• Passion for global justice, experience engaging responsibly with emotionally challenging global justice issues and imagery, demonstrating compassion and professionalism;
• Proficiency in digital collaboration tools (Google Workspace, Slack, Zoom, media databases).

Location

Avaaz is a virtual organization and most of our work is done online. Our staff are based in cities all over the world. For this role, we are seeking candidates who reside in Belgium, preferably Brussels, but other cities will be considered, if the candidate is the best fit.

Avaaz will support you to set up a home or co-working environment that leads to excellence in delivery and long-term sustainability.

Compensation and Benefits

The full-package salary for this position in Belgium ranges from 57,000 – 62,000 EUR, based on location and relevant experience.

The professional development of our employees is paramount. To support this, we include these benefits:

• 25 days paid vacation per year;
• 10 paid holidays per year;
• 2.500 EURO for training and development per year;
• 1.250 EURO for language development per year;
• Workspace support, including reimbursement for home office or co-working expenses.

Application Timeline

We are reviewing applications on a rolling basis, and encourage all candidates to submit applications as soon as possible.

Application instructions

Please be sure to indicate you saw this position on hiringnearme.org