Position: Media Advisor

Location: New York (Preferred)
Time Commitment: Full-Time
Reporting to: Policy Director

Independent Diplomat (ID), a unique non-profit in the world of diplomacy, is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Media Advisor.

About Independent Diplomat

ID was founded in 2004 by former British diplomat Carne Ross as the world’s first non-profit diplomatic advisory group.  ID remains the only non-profit organization that provides high-quality, confidential diplomatic advice and assistance to democratic governments and political groups that are not able to participate effectively in the diplomatic processes that affect them.  We work with the leadership of groups that are marginalized and disadvantaged, and that lack the expertise, networks and resources necessary to understand, access and influence the inner workings of international diplomacy.  ID’s work covers the three pillars of contemporary diplomacy: political and diplomatic strategy; international legal advice; and public diplomacy/media relations.

Currently, ID works through its main office in New York along with offices in London, Brussels and Geneva.   Independent Diplomat’s staff comprises experienced former diplomats, international lawyers and other experts in international relations.  ID’s advice is impartial and disinterested.  Independent Diplomat also works with a broad network of individuals and organizations, including law firms, commercial consultancies and universities, who support and assist our work on a pro bono basis.

Job Purpose

The Media Advisor will innovate and deliver effective public diplomacy and global media strategies, including through new media, to help ID’s clients improve their public messaging to a wide range of audiences, including governments, international organizations, media and the public at large.

Essential Functions

Working in close cooperation with project managers and under the direction of the Policy Director, manage, coordinate and deliver on the ‘public diplomacy’ pillar of ID’s client service offering.  This will include:

  • Develop comprehensive media strategies to ensure greater media exposure for ID’s clients that reflects their narratives, consistent with their overarching diplomatic objectives;
  • Carefully monitor and provide regular summaries of international media coverage of ID’s client list, bringing important developments to the immediate attention of project managers;
  • Anticipate opportunities for media coverage; organize media and other public events, including interview opportunities, think-tank speaking engagements, etc.; suggest and place op-eds and facilitate client interviews with print and new media;
  • Establish relationships with and provide information to journalists on the complex world of contemporary diplomacy and the issues confronting ID’s clients;
  • Facilitate client outreach to media;
  • Provide media relations training to a selection of client spokespersons; and
  • Maintain and expand an extensive and comprehensive list of international media contacts, tailored specifically for ID’s clients.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

  • 10 years of relevant experience in international media or media-liaison positions;
  • Established networks of contacts across the international media, with diverse geographical reach; and
  • English language fluency, with a second language highly desirable (French, Spanish, Arabic).

Knowledge Required:

  • Deep interest in and knowledge of international affairs and diplomacy;
  • Experience with media handling / liaison; and
  • Experience working abroad.

Skills Required:

  • Willingness to travel;
  • Technologically savvy, with demonstrated skills in and understanding of new media approaches and techniques;
  • Outstanding writing skills, in particular under tight deadlines;
  • Highly enthusiastic, self-motivated, creative thinker, sense of humor and culturally sensitive.

To apply please send a CV or résumé and a separate cover letter (maximum one page) to mark.koenig@independentdiplomat.org (no phone calls please).  Include the words “Media Advisor” in the email subject line.   Please note the duties and responsibilities above may be changed at any time at the complete discretion of Independent Diplomat.