Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility
Working for economic justice, human rights and environmental sustainability /

Job title:Communications Manager (2 year contract)

Position reports to:Executive Director

Staff reporting:No staff reports

Work location:Work from home (easy access to London)

Desk space potentially available in Dorking (ECCR’s operational office)

Background

The Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility (ECCR) has been established for overtwenty-seven years and leads and collaborates with others in advocacy and awareness-raising on issues of economic justice, human rights and environmental sustainability. We are a church-based investor coalition, registered charity (No: 1139618) and membership organisation with a small secretariat team, governed by a board of trustees. We connect people of faith - individuals and groups - to learn more about key corporate responsibility issues and empower them to take joint action that fits with their particular situation. We have over 80 corporate members, including church finance and investment bodies, national denominations, religious orders, and regional/local church bodies.

There is a large community of people in UK & Irish churches who are seeking to fulfil their Christian stewardship and ownership responsibilities with regard to the money, skills, savings and assets that are used either by them as individuals and/or on their behalf as members of church denominations. These may be held in different forms including shareholdings in publically listed companies through pensions or direct shareholdings, money in deposit and current accounts, through to buildings that their church may own. However, there is a lack of knowledge and understanding about the influence that they, as asset owners, are able to express and bring to bear in order to fulfil their Christian stewardship and seek ways in which these assets and money can be used ‘for the common good’. They are also increasingly aware that ‘free markets’ are not working for the poor - frequently offering those with little money and assets inferior products (or no products at all), at much increased prices.

In response to this, we are currently implementing our new and exciting strategy – ‘Keeping Faith in Finance’. The ‘YourFaith YourFinance’ and ‘Ethical Money Churches’ (EMC) projects which are a vital part of our future and focus on engagement and development of ‘grass root’ support in the UK & Ireland. Since 2014, we have been developing a network of Ethical Money Churches. Its aim is to deepen congregations’ and communities’ understanding of faith and finance and to connect them with initiatives which can help bring greater financial resilience and empowerment to communities.Our long term aim is to bring change in local and regional worshipping/faith communities across the denominations and geographically in the UK & Ireland.

The Role

Working with the Executive Director and Trustees the post holder will explore areas of special interest. For those selected as ECCR foci, he/she will seek collaborators and expertise, and identify research which is available to ECCR, or, if necessary, commission research with a view to ensuring ECCR:

  • has clearly identifiable areas it seeks to influence/change;
  • effectively communicates & influences on issues of concern to its membership & key stakeholders;
  • has policy positions that are based on faith principles and practice;
  • is able to monitor the success of campaigns and activities.

Key Tasks:

Content Development

  • With the ECCR team and Trustees, develop a content programme which maximises ECCR’s influence in its chosen areas of activity;
  • Work with partners to develop new perspectives on issues that are of interest to the ECCR membership;
  • Source resources from partner organisations and/or commission new research in areas where ECCR can make a difference.

Press

  • Respond to inquiries from stakeholders including journalists, churches and service users;
  • Create press releases and statements as needed.

Digital

  • Develop, manage and update content for ECCR websites;
  • Maintain social media accounts;
  • Plan and create multi-media communications materials.

Communications

  • Produce, edit and distribute updates and materials for external and internal audiences, dealing sensitively with those whose personal experiences might be featured;
  • Provide communications support for campaigns;
  • Help market and communicate events, such as seminars, conferences, and events for the members and public;
  • Provide creative, editorial and operational support for communications projects and report on progress;
  • Review material regularly, on the basis of feedback if possible;

Brand

  • Ensure consistent branding is used;
  • Help maintain and build reputation;
  • Act as an ECCR brand champion;
  • Plan/create multi-media communications materials;
  • Maintain library system for press cuttings, monitor cuttings and report.

Person Specification

Job title:Communication Manager
Education/Training /
  • Degree, professional qualification and/or substantialexperience in marketing and/or communication field.
  • Evidence of continuous professional development.

Knowledge/
Experience /
  • Proven success in building effective partnerships with awide range of internal and external stakeholders.
  • Experience of working with researchers and analysing research publications to develop promotional content.
  • Understanding of communications techniques to build reputation. Experience of managing and developing campaigns to build reputation and communicate with key stakeholders.
  • Knowledge and experience of using and developing websites, intranet, film and social media as communication tools.
  • Experience of dealing with the media including handlingqueries, writing news releases, organising briefings andgaining positive media coverage.
  • Knowledge of print & publication design and production.
  • Experience of working with senior staff & trustees within a charitable organisation.
  • Understanding of current communication and marketing management issues affecting small charities.
  • Understanding of current issues in the faith & money environment.
  • Experience of working in a media or public relations role within a membership organisation including working with members and/or trustees.

Skills/Abilities /
  • Outstanding interpersonal skills - ability to build positive relationships and discover stakeholders' interests.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both oral and written. Well-developed presentation skills.
  • Confident in using social media as communication tools including twitter, Facebook, blogs, YouTube, etc.
  • Ability to prioritise tasks and deliver to tight timescales with minimum supervision.
  • A personable approach and a creative mind. Able to build relationships and work collaboratively with staff, members and external stakeholders/partners.
  • Ability to develop excellent working relationships with work colleagues, the board members and ability to be diplomatic, persuasive and credible at senior level.
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks whilst maintaining focus, standards and balancing time scales.
  • Good ICT skills and ability to use Microsoft applications such as Office 365, Word, Excel, Powerpoint.
  • An understanding of (and sympathy with) the aims and objectives of ECCR and its working environment as a charity working with faith groups, investors, NGOs and companies.
  • Ability to lead and work confidently and independently using own initiative. Able to work under pressure andprioritise appropriately.
  • Willingness & ability to travel as required within the UK to undertake essential elements of the job.
  • Willingness to work evenings and weekends on an occasional basis as required.

Special Circumstances /
  • Knowledge of and commitment to ECCR and its work in promoting economic justice, human rights and environmental sustainability.
  • Genuine Occupational Requirement to be a Christian, an active member of a church that is a member of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland.
  • There is likely to be occasional work commitments outside of usual office hours and weekend working (eg. conferences member events).

Key relationships /
  • ECCR Executive Director (line manager).
  • ECCR Administration and Finance Officer.
  • Board Chair and other Board members.

Review Arrangements

The details contained in the job description, particularly the principal accountabilities, reflect the content of the job at the date the job description was prepared. It is inevitable that over time the nature of individual jobs will change; existing duties may be lost and other duties may be gained without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibility entailed. Consequently, ECCR will expect to revise this job description from time to time and will consult with the post holder at the appropriate time.

Terms & conditions

Post / Communications Manager
Location / Working from home. Easy access to London essential. Desk space potentially in Dorking, Surrey (ECCR’s operational office). Occasional UK travel envisaged. Costs of travel to meetings & out-of-pocket expenses to be covered by ECCR.
Contract / 2-year contract.
Visa Requirements / ECCR does not currently have the ability to issue sponsorship certificates to individuals without the right to work in the UK
Salary / £12,000 to £14,000/annum (£30,000 to £35,000/annum pro rata) depending on experience.
Hours / 16 hours per weekapportioned over a four-week period. This will need to be worked flexibly in agreement with the line manager.
Probation Period / All new appointments are subject to a probationary period of 3 months.
Holidays / The holiday leave year runs from 1 January – 31 December. Holiday entitlement is 20 days per annum pro rata.
Equal Opportunities / The Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility (ECCR) is an equal opportunities employer. We aim to ensure that no employee, job applicant, or volunteer receives less favourable treatment because of their colour, race, nationality or ethnic or national origins, class, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family situation, or disability. Selection criteria and procedures will be regularly reviewed to ensure that individuals are treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities. All employees will be given equal opportunity and access to training (within the limited funds available). ECCR is committed to making the policy effective and will bring it to the attention of all employees, applicants, and volunteers.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this position. They are not intended to be interpreted as an exhaustive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Application Procedure

An information pack & application form (CVs will not be accepted) can be found on theWork for ECCR page of our website.

Completed applications should be e-mailed to in Word format or posted to:

Jobs at ECCR

c/o 1 Deepdene Park Road

Dorking

SURREY

RH5 4AL

While we are happy to accept e-mail applications we cannot be responsible for the quality of the copy obtained.

The deadline for applications is Monday, 13thFeb 2017 (9.00 am)

If you have not heard from us by 10thMarch2017 then you have been unsuccessful on this occasion. We are sorry that we are unable to contact unsuccessful applicants due to the high volume of applications and limited resources. However, thank you for your interest in working for ECCR.

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