Media Campaigner

The Syria Campaign was founded in 2014 to spark effective action for a free, peaceful and democratic Syria by elevating the voices of civilians caught up in the conflict.

We’re a fast moving and creative team which puts communications at the heart of everything we do. We’ve only been around for a few years, and that gives us the freedom to try new things and evolve quickly.

We try to fuse the best elements of a creative agency, think tank and campaigning NGO to reach millions of people with a positive, compelling and motivating story about Syria’s heroes.

In the last year alone our small team has:

  • Generated thousands of media stories celebrating the bravery of medical workers, civilians and rescuers in the most dangerous place on earth.
  • Raised the profile of groups like the White Helmets during their nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize, helping secure them millions of dollars to continue their life-saving work.
  • Helped shine a spotlight on the shortcomings of UN aid distribution inside Syria and amplified the voices of local NGOs calling for a new approach.
  • Delivered the press strategy and media reach that helped send a ‘People’s Convoy’ from London to build an entire children’s hospital outside Aleppo.

Our media team helps shape the narrative around Syria, making sure the voices of its heroes are heard above the bombs and bullets. But there is so much more to do – and that’s why we’re looking for an all star media campaigner.

You’ll be able to spot a great story and decide how best to place it, using your experience and judgement to make the biggest splash possible. You’re outcome focused, ready to experiment with new approaches to media relations if it gets results. You don’t need to be a Syria expert, but you’re willing to learn fast and ask the questions that help get to the essence of this fast moving story.

You’re always ready to pick up the phone, grab a coffee or pitch an idea, comfortable working with some of the most dedicated and hard working journalists out there.

 

Responsibilities

Media relations

  • Developing and maintaining excellent contacts with high level journalists covering Syria with a specific focus on London, New York, and Beirut
  • Optimising our media relations tools to ensure that we are reaching the right journalists in the most effective way possible
  • Handling day to day media enquiries and prioritising the most important requests
  • Pitching both reactive and proactive stories, including Op-Eds, interviews and online video, as well as long term reports, direct actions and rallies
  • Organising photocalls, press conferences and ad hoc events
  • Helping maintain a database of Syrian spokespeople and linking them up with media around the world
  • Developing and maintaining a content library of video and photo for media use

Writing

  • Fast and accurate writing of press releases, quotes, opinion pieces, media briefings, factsheets and snappy talking points
  • Creating rapid reaction media plans that deliver the maximum impact with minimum fuss

Strategy

  • Finding the most newsworthy elements of any campaign, issue or idea, and helping the team put these front and center of our work
  • Summarising the media narrative for the team and sharing your reflections on where things are headed
  • Contributing to TSC’s overarching communications strategy, working with the communications director

Other

  • Acting as a media spokesperson for The Syria Campaign
  • Any other duties that the board and management team reasonably require

Languages

  • Excellent written and spoken English required
  • Fluency in written and spoken Arabic a major bonus

 

The position is remote but we’d prefer someone based in London, Beirut, Washington DC, or New York.

To apply for this role, please send a CV to [email protected] with a cover letter describing why you’re the ideal candidate. The position will remain open until filled.

This position is a full-time role with an initial 12-month contract. Salary commensurate with experience.