Senior Media Relations and Advocacy Officer

Company Description

SNV is a mission-driven global development partner working in more than 20 countries across Africa and Asia. Building on 60 years of experience and grounded in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we work on the core themes of gender equality and social inclusion, climate adaptation and mitigation, and strong institutions and effective governance. Together with our team of over 1,600 people, our mission is to strengthen capacities and catalyse partnerships that transform the agri-food, energy, and water systems, which enable sustainable and more equitable lives for all.   

Our core values of people-centeredness and respect, equity and equality, and diversity and inclusion, are fundamental to who we are, and what we do. This is reflected in our vision and mission, and strategy, which sets out our aspirations and commitments as our compass towards 2030. 

For more information on SNV, please refer to our website: www.snv.org  

Job Description

We are currently looking for a:  Senior Media Relations and Advocacy Officer 

• Full-time position (initially on a 24-months contract basis)  
• based in The Hague, Netherlands  

SNV’s Global Marketing, Communications, and Public Affairs (MCPA) team is embarking on a journey to implement the new strategic direction for communications & influencing (C&I) in line with SNV’s organisational 2030 strategy. 

The MCPA team is a key part of the organisation, ensuring that high-quality, compelling, authentic, audience-centric, and timely communications are delivered internally as well as directed effectively externally to priority stakeholders. The team's work focuses on stakeholder engagement through various streams (or disciplines) of communication: Strategic Marketing, External/Internal Communications, Digital Marketing, Event Management, and new Media Relations & Advocacy. 

Your role  
As the Senior Media Relations and Advocacy Officer, you will spearhead and implement SNV's media relations and advocacy initiatives to further our mission.  

Reporting to the Head of MCPA and working closely with the CEO & Senior Leadership Team (in particular SNV’s Global Sector and Theme leads), this new role is pivotal in increasing SNV's visibility and influence, shaping our public image, building relationships with key stakeholders, and leading high-impact communications initiatives. 

Key Job Responsibilities 

• Media and Advocacy Strategy: Develop and implement an effective media and advocacy strategy (in collaboration with relevant internal stakeholders, focused on increasing SNV's influence on selected topics in furtherance of the organisation's priorities and in line with our core areas of expertise) that increases SNV's visibility, influences key stakeholders, and generates support for furthering SNV's mission. 
• Media Relations: Build and nurture relationships with media outlets, journalists, and opinion leaders to increase SNV's media presence and coverage. Develop a media outreach approach for key audiences, identify media opportunities, and respond to media requests.  
• Content Creation: Develop compelling content, including op-eds, articles, media kits, and press releases, to generate media interest and communicate SNV's key positions and messages. Collaborate with internal teams to gather and showcase impactful stories and evidence of SNV's work. 
• Stakeholder Engagement: Identify, plan, and execute speaking opportunities; develop communication partnerships, liaise with alliances and advocacy partners, and conduct outreach to media, opinion leaders, policy makers, and other relevant stakeholders to (1) ensure that newsworthy information reaches prioritised stakeholders, and (2) influence public discourse related to SNV's areas of expertise and organisational focus topics. 
• Crisis Communications: Develop and implement crisis communication strategies to effectively manage and respond to potential reputational risks or challenging situations. Act as spokesperson for SNV during crisis situations, ensuring timely and accurate communication with stakeholders and the media. 
• Media Monitoring and Analysis: Monitor media coverage and trends related to SNV's areas of work, organisational focus topics, and advocacy efforts and track the organisation's visibility, positioning, and influence. Conduct media analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of media engagement strategies and make recommendations for improvement. 

Qualifications

This role requires a profound understanding of the international development sector, knowledge of the global discourse on systems transformation, and expertise in effective engagement of media engagement.  

We are looking for a skilled, dynamic, and proactive Senior Media Relations and Advocacy Officer with a demonstrated track record and a strong passion for making a difference in the international development sector. 

To be considered, you should bring:  

• A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as public affairs, international relations, journalism, communications, etc., and at least 7 years of senior-level proficiency in public relations, media relations, advocacy, and, preferably, also crisis communications.  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to create compelling content and tailor messages to specific audiences. 
• Experience in a fast-paced, multi-disciplinary organisation, ideally with international exposure, and a demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse cultures and individuals. 
• Proven ability to foster trust and build strong, positive relationships with colleagues, demonstrating exceptional teamwork, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills. 
• A proactive and creative mindset, passionate about SNV's mission, enthusiastic about co-creating and co-building together, tenacious, and with a high level of energy and self-motivation. 
• A solutions-oriented attitude with the ability to set goals, assess needs and prioritise effectively while remaining flexible and resilient to changing circumstances. 
• Fluency in English, spoken and written, and ideally as a native or near-native speaker, knowledge of French is an asset. 

Additional Information

Other Information  

• Type of contract: National employment contract, Full time (40 hours per week) 
• Initial contract duration: 2 year initial contract 
• Location: The Hague (we can provide Visa and relocation services for candidates not based in The Netherlands)
• Expected start date: As soon as possible. 

Working at SNV 
SNV offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. We offer a stimulating work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. Our team members benefit from, and contribute to, an internal global network of experts.  
SNV strives to be an inclusive employer, thriving on the diversity of its people and does not discriminate on the basis of disability status, religion, ethnic origin, gender and sexual orientation, etc. 

How to apply 
If you meet the outlined requirements, we invite you to submit your application by March 29, 2024.
Please include your latest CV, a cover letter expressing your motivation to work for SNV, and recent work examples that highlight your expertise in media relations and advocacy. This could be a press release, an article that gained media coverage, or a compelling opinion piece. 

We look forward to receiving your application and learning more about how your skills and experience can elevate SNV's media relations and advocacy initiatives to further our mission.