Digital News Manager

Digital News Manager

Full-time, Permanent

Location: Hybrid, with a requirement to work from HALO’s office (usually London, but could be Salisbury, Wiltshire) one day per week. Occasional overseas travel (average 3 times per year) (remote working would be considered for the right candidate)

Salary: £50,066 - £56,336 (dependent on experience)

If you have proven success in digital journalism or PR, an established database of media contacts and a passion for global news, then this fast-paced role in a friendly press office is for you!

About HALO:

The HALO Trust is the world’s leading NGO clearing the debris of war. We clear landmines, bombs, grenades and bullets from the world’s most dangerous conflicts, providing the first step towards recovery.  We currently employ around 11,000 local women and men in 30 countries, from Angola to Yemen.

In recent years HALO has grown significantly and our ambitions for communications are evolving rapidly. In short, we need more people to know more about us. We are therefore looking for a digital news expert  to amplify our messaging to the people that matter and  ensure that our deep knowledge of tackling conflict is shared for the greater good.

About the role:

It’s a fast-paced and exciting time to join us. This new role has been created to build on HALO’s extensive global media coverage and ensure that our digital channels are the first port of call for insight and commentary on conflict.  Reporting to the Global Head of Media and working with colleagues across the communications and other directorates, you will co-create and implement a digital news strategy that puts HALO at the centre of conflict reporting.

During the last few years, HALO staff have increasingly been at the heart of some of the world’s biggest humanitarian emergencies. Our deminers and bomb disposal experts are working in Ukraine and Yemen and we continue to work across Afghanistan. We have teams operating on the West Bank and are running life-saving weapons education awareness classes in Syria and Myanmar. With all of these countries regularly in the news, we need you to make sure our voice is heard.

Responsibilities:

• Work with colleagues to secure coverage in the national and global press
• Nurture strong links to journalists and opinion formers in the press and broadcast media on X, LinkedIn and other relevant channels
• Expand our media outreach via digital channels
• Deliver timely eye-witness accounts from the epicentre of breaking news stories.
• Develop a clear and strategic plan to maximise our CEO and senior leadership’s influence on tackling conflict, both here in the UK and overseas.
• Play a key role in turning complex and careful policy language into media-friendly posts
• Be relentless in your defence of HALO’s reputation, managing crises and unforeseen events with a cool and calm head.
• Use data and insights to inform our approach to media outreach in social channels
• Embrace a fully flexible working pattern that recognises the 24/7 nature of digital news
• Upskill colleagues to ensure shared responsibility for quick and timely posts.

All HALO staff are expected to undertake the following general duties:

• Work within the framework of HALO’s core values, promoting its ethos and mission statement.

• Work towards achieving programme and/or group business plan objectives.
• Ensure familiarity with and adhere to all HALO policies and procedures and keep informed of HALO activities.
• To discharge duties and responsibilities under HALO’s Health and Safety Procedures which may include Risk and COSHH Assessments and participation in evacuation procedures as necessary. 

Requirements

Who we're looking for:

• Proven success in driving media coverage as part of a busy Press Office team
• A natural news hound and news-jacker
• An innate understanding of the complex and sensitive geopolitical environments in which HALO operates.
• Good ‘nose’ for a news story
• A team player with excellent people skills
• Calm under pressure and a sense of humour.

Benefits

• Salary of £50,066 - £56,336 dependent upon experience
• Annual Leave: 25 days plus bank holidays

• Non-contributory life assurance (3 x salary)
• Pension contributions matched by HALO up to 5%
• Private medical health cover
• Emergency medical insurance when travelling overseas
• Occupational Health services including physiotherapy support and counselling support
• Flexible working policy

How to apply:

Please submit a CV (no more than 2 pages) and a cover letter (no more than 1 page) outlining how your experience matches the key skills and competencies required by 7th July 2024. We reserve the right to amend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.

The HALO Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

The HALO Trust is committed to a culture that is both diverse and inclusive and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.

The HALO Trust is committed to ensuring that it provides a safe and trusted environment which safeguards and promotes the welfare and wellbeing of anyone who comes into contact with, or is part of, the Charity, with a zero-tolerance approach to behaviours which challenge this.