At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful communications to raise awareness and support for global humanitarian efforts.
- Company: Join Concern Worldwide, a leading international humanitarian organisation making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a vibrant office environment with great facilities.
- Other info: Dynamic hybrid role with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Use your creativity to inspire change and amplify voices of the vulnerable worldwide.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in communications, media relations, and a passion for social impact.
Location: London (Hybrid)
Salary: £43,250 – £48,055 (based on full time hours, 35 hours per week)
Hours: 35 hours per week
Contract: 12-month fixed-term (or until the substantive postholder returns from their internal secondment, whichever is sooner)
Concern Worldwide (UK) is looking for a Senior Communications Officer to join the team on a full time, 12 months fixed-term contract.
About Us
We are an international humanitarian organisation that strives for a world free from poverty, fear and oppression. We deliver life-saving and life-changing interventions to the world's poorest and most vulnerable people. From rapid emergency response to innovative development programming, we go to the hardest to reach places to make sure that no-one is left behind. With 3000 staff of more than 50 nationalities, Concern operates in 24 of the world's poorest countries, helping people to achieve major and long-lasting improvements in their lives.
While the role can be primarily remote, there is an expectation of regular on-site presence, including a minimum of one day per week in the office, with two all-in office days a month. The postholder will also be required to attend external and face-to-face meetings to effectively manage stakeholder relationships. Our London office is based in The Foundry, a vibrant and eco-conscious workspace near Vauxhall and Oval stations. You'll be based in a dynamic, purpose-driven workspace designed to support collaboration and innovation. The Foundry offers excellent on-site facilities, including a vegan café and a programme of monthly events, workshops, and networking opportunities with other charities and NGOs based in the building. With its welcoming, inclusive environment, The Foundry is a place where people come together to work, connect, and drive meaningful change every day.
The Role
As Senior Communications Officer, you'll play a key role in raising Concern Worldwide (UK)'s profile and advancing our mission through strategic, high-impact communications. Working closely with the Director of Communications, you'll lead media relations, identify and secure opportunities to amplify our voice, create engaging content across multiple channels, protect and strengthen our brand, and support advocacy, fundraising and organisational campaigns. You'll build relationships with journalists and key stakeholders, support senior spokespersons, help shape leadership profile-building, collaborate with colleagues across the UK and internationally, and deputise for the Director when required. This is a varied and rewarding opportunity for someone who enjoys combining strategic thinking with hands-on delivery to create communications that inspire action and drive lasting impact.
What We're Looking For
You're a creative, proactive and strategic communications professional with a talent for crafting compelling stories, building strong media relationships and translating complex issues into engaging content for a range of audiences. An excellent writer and confident communicator, you thrive in a fast-paced environment, balancing multiple priorities while maintaining exceptional attention to detail. You have a strong understanding of brand management, enjoy collaborating with colleagues and stakeholders, and are equally comfortable working independently or leading initiatives. Passionate about making a difference, you're motivated by the opportunity to use your communications expertise to support meaningful change, with experience in the charity sector, media, campaigning, fundraising or multimedia content considered an advantage.
Benefits
- 25 days' annual leave, pro-rated for part-time employees
- Office closure between Christmas Day and New Year's Day
- Flexible hours and hybrid working
- Annual leave purchase scheme
- Enhanced parental leave pay
- Stakeholder pension
- Season ticket loan
- Cycle scheme
- Life assurance
- Access to Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Concern Worldwide encourages all qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, ethnicity and origin, disability, political beliefs, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status to apply to become a part of the organisation. Concern is against all forms of discrimination and unequal power relations, and is committed to promoting equality.
How to Apply
To apply for this post, please upload your CV and cover letter explaining how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the position by 31st August 2026. Due to the urgent nature of this recruitment, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we may close the vacancy prior to the advertised closing date. The successful candidate will be expected to start as soon as possible, with immediate availability preferred. Your cover letter will be scored against each of the listed requirements listed in the job description. To give yourself the best chance of being shortlisted, please copy each criterion into your cover letter and explain under each one how your experience, skills, or achievements demonstrate your suitability. Use clear and specific examples to support your statements. Concern will shortlist only those candidates who clearly demonstrate that they meet all essential criteria. If a high number of applicants meet the minimum requirements, we will assess and score candidates against the desirable criteria to determine who will be invited to interview. It is therefore important that your application provides detailed evidence of how you meet the role requirements. All candidates who are short-listed for an interview will be notified via email. Candidates must be legally entitled to work in the UK at the time of application.
Conditions of Appointment
The successful post holder will be required to complete a criminal records self-declaration form and a Basic DBS check. Having a criminal record will not necessarily debar you from working with Concern Worldwide. This will depend on the nature of the position, together with the circumstances and background of your offences.
You may have experience in the following: Communications Officer, Senior Communications Officer, PR Officer, Press Officer, Media Relations Officer, Communications and Media Manager, Campaigns Officer, Content and Communications Officer, Charity Communications Officer, Marketing and Communications Officer, Digital Communications Officer, etc.
Senior Communications Officer employer: Concern
Concern Worldwide (UK) is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and eco-conscious workspace in London that fosters collaboration and innovation. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, the organisation provides generous benefits such as flexible working hours, enhanced parental leave, and opportunities for professional growth through engaging events and networking. Joining Concern means being part of a purpose-driven team dedicated to making a meaningful impact on the lives of the world's most vulnerable people.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Communications Officer
✨Get Involved in PR Events
Dive into local PR meetups and workshops. Events like these are perfect for getting your face out there, chatting with industry pros, and spotting potential job openings at companies like Concern. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to learn about trends and make lasting connections.
✨Showcase Your PR Skills
Start building your personal brand as a PR ace. Use platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to share your thoughts on current events or PR campaigns you admire. Tagging companies you want to work for, like Concern, can catch their eye—especially if your insights resonate!
✨Leverage Your Network
Reach out to friends, family, or connections in the PR field. Even a casual chat can lead to opportunities. If you've got mutual contacts, ask for introductions when applying. Personal recommendations can give your application a nice little boost!
✨Tailor Your Approach
When applying for a full-time PR role, make sure to research Concern inside and out. Understanding their campaigns, values, and style allows us to directly align our application and impress during interviews. Don't hesitate to apply through our website—going direct can make a real difference!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Communications Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get Your Story Straight:In public relations, storytelling is everything! Make sure your CV highlights your experience in crafting compelling narratives and managing media relations. Share specific examples of campaigns you've worked on, and don’t forget to include any press coverage you've generated—it's impressive proof of your skills!
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since PR is all about communication, we want to see your best writing samples. Include pieces like press releases, blog posts, or social media content that you've created. This gives us a taste of your voice and your ability to convey messages clearly and effectively, which is crucial for a role in this field.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a recap of your CV; it’s your chance to shine! Emphasise why PR excites you and how your background fits with the mission of Concern. Show us that you’ve done your homework and speak to why you’re passionate about the work we do.
Connect the Dots:When you’re writing your application, think about how your past experiences link to the responsibilities of the role. Mention any internships, volunteer work, or projects that involved public speaking, event planning, or strategic communication. This will help us see how you can seamlessly bring your skills into a full-time position at Concern.
How to prepare for a job interview at Concern
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
In public relations, storytelling is key. We should prepare compelling narratives about past campaigns or projects we’ve worked on. Think about how we can illustrate our impact and creativity in those stories—be ready to discuss specific examples that showcase our skills in managing media relationships and crafting messages.
✨Know Your PR Tools Inside Out
Familiarity with PR tools like Cision or Meltwater is crucial. We need to be able to discuss how we’ve used these tools in past roles or projects. If we've worked on media lists, press releases, or analytics reports, let’s have those experiences ready to share along with metrics we’ve achieved to back up our claims.
✨Stay Current with Industry Trends
We’ve got to stay sharp on the latest trends and events impacting the public relations field. Having a few insights ready about recent campaigns or shifts in media landscapes can show that we’re engaged and knowledgeable. This will also help us make connections between our experiences and the current state of the industry.
✨Showcase Our Versatility
As full-time PR professionals, we need to demonstrate our adaptability. Be ready to talk about how we've handled challenging situations, managed crises, or adapted strategies on the fly. Employers will appreciate our ability to pivot and find solutions under pressure, so let’s have those scenarios at our fingertips to discuss.
