Job Profile - The Galapagos Conservation Trust

Job Description – PUBLIC RELATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
Galapagos Conservation Trust
Place of work:
Hours of work:
Reports to:
Line Manages:
Salary
GCT Offices, central London
35 hours per week, Monday to Friday
CEO
No direct reports; some volunteer management
£20,000-£22,000 per annum
Scope and general purpose of the job:
To promote and raise awareness of Galapagos in the UK through media relations, website, social
media, newsletters, leaflets and general communications. To develop the GCT conservation brand
and improve the quality, impact and consistency of communications. Raise the profile of the
organisation with our key audiences, including opinion formers, the media, our members, the
involved science community and the general public.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
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Provide input into and deliver the PR strategy and plan for the Galapagos Conservation
Trust (GCT) and other individual projects as required, with the aim of achieving
communications targets.

Position GCT as the leading authority and voice on Galapagos conservation in the UK.
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Effect and facilitate the response to media enquiries including co-ordinating internal staff to
act as spokespeople where appropriate and making sure they are well briefed in advance,
evaluating PR opportunities and risks.
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Target appropriate media, including national, regional and specialist contacts, with news
releases, media briefings, photo calls, features, and contributions to internal publications.
Ensure positive working relationship with key contacts.

Make sure PR opportunities are maximised for GCT events.
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Assist in targeting potential celebrity supporters and ambassadors, preparation of
approaches to celebrities and their agents and ambassadors, and where appropriate
develop and maintain relationships in line with GCT’s celebrity and ambassador
development strategy.

Identify and develop new and interesting opportunities for raising GCT’s profile.

Build a strong proactive relationship with Galapagos National Park (GNP) and work with
GNP’s PR department to raise awareness of Galapagos in the UK.
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COMMUNICATIONS

Provide input into and deliver the communications strategy for GCT to support the
fundraising and outreach objectives of GCT to include brand development, website, social
media, newsletters, leaflets and general communications.

On-going content and structure development of GCT’s websites (main plus micro sites),
ensuring they are kept up to date and relevant.

Co-ordinate and produce GCT’s communications including the biannual ‘Galapagos
Matters’ magazine , GCT’s monthly e-newsletter, blogs and social media contributions and
ensure consistency across all communications.

Work with the fundraising team on appeal communications and strategy.

Manage the production of all GCT materials and be the main point of contact for external
design agencies.

Produce the GCT calendar and manage the GCT photo competition.

Act as GCT’s point of contact for communications resources and information and manage
this information internally including the image library, book library, video library, press
cuttings and publications.

Monitor and report on communications activities.
GENERAL

If and when needed, take part in recruiting and managing a volunteer to support this role.

Assist as required with GCT’s wider fundraising, projects and events.

Be aware of individual responsibility for health and safety of self and others in the
workplace and to adhere to GCT’s health and safety policies and procedures.

Portray the charity in a positive light at all times.

Undertake any other duties which may be required from time to time.

Be willing to work outside normal working hours - including attending or helping at evening
or weekend events and overseas travel - if required.
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Person Specification
ESSENTIAL
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Minimum of two to three years’ experience of working in a busy and varied office
environment with at least two years’ experience in a PR or communications role.
Thorough experience of media relations with knowledge of print, TV and radio, and a track
record of achieving media coverage.
Experience of developing website content and using website CMS, working with social
media and producing promotional materials.
Proven organisational skills, the willingness to be flexible and work with small budgets, the
ability to work as part of a small team and to work accurately to tight deadlines.
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to handle internal and external contacts tactfully
and persuasively.
Excellent communications skills particularly writing skills, and the ability to write copy in a
range of styles and for different audiences.
Sound judgement and understanding in order to research and absorb information, think
creatively within resource and time constraints and act as an authoritative spokesperson for
GCT.
Excellent IT and web-based skills. This includes ability to use all Microsoft Office
Programmes to a high level of proficiency – in particular Word, Excel and Outlook.
DESIRABLE
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Experience of celebrity liaison, preferably in the charitable or non-profit sector, and national
and regional media.
Experience as a spokesperson to broadcast media.
Desktop publishing experience.
Experience of working in a voluntary sector and /or membership based organisation.
Experience of working with volunteers.
Experience with Adobe creative suite.
Proven interest in conservation.
Cultural sensitivity.
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April 2012