JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE:
GRADE:
DEPT/TEAM: / Content Journalist
3
Innovation and Creative/Creative
REPORTS TO: / Senior Journalist
PURPOSE OF JOB:
To research and gather powerful story content relating to Comic-Relief funded projects which delivers to the requirements of our campaign and corporate marketing and fundraising objectives.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
1. The Research and Gathering of Story Content
  • Undertaking primary research with project-users, ensuring that interviews and other activities are conducted with the utmost professionalism and sensitivity, whilst delivering content that will deliver for the organisation.
  • Working with the Head of Creative services where appropriate build and maintain effective working relationships with Comic Relief-funded projects in order to facilitate effective story-gathering.
  • Agree the key deliverables for clients (primarily Marketing but may also include the CEO, Broadcast, Education, Grants and Public Education) with the Heads of Creative and Creative Services.
  • Work with the Media team during campaigns to ensure that the most effective and appropriate decisions are taken around the tactical use of story content in the media.
  • Work with the Head of Creative Services to ensure that all logistical and health and safety requirements around story gathering are properly met.
  • Keep abreast of developments in Comic Relief’s funding programmes and associated issues through attendance at relevant Grants meetings and forums.
  • Give insight on available story content around grants issues strategically identified by the marketing department as potential areas of focus.
  • Ensure that Comic Relief’s Child Protection policy is properly adhered to in all aspects of the story-gathering process.
  • Review and evaluate the overall impact of story content at appropriate times (including as part of the campaign debrief process).
  • Undertake “embedded” assignments with particular projects as required.

2. Information
  • Responding to external information requests as appropriate

3. General
  • Supporting initiatives and objectives across the whole organisation, where appropriate
  • Undertake any additional work as delegated by the Senior Journalist
  • Maintain internal databases
  • Being aware at all times of the Comic Relief Promise and investigating all opportunities to 'blag' to reduce Comic Relief’s costs

PERSON SPECIFICATION FOR : CONTENT JOURNALIST Grade: 3

EXPERIENCE / WHY / IMP. / App / Int / Test / Test Format
Extensive interviewing experience and story writing for mixed media / To interview projects and write copy for a mixed media. / Ess. / 
Solid experience of working in or with issues / Assess CR’s ongoing and event-specific grants information needs. / Ess. / 
Secondary research / Support organisational secondary research, by providing information sources (mainly through the Web Guide) / Ess. / 
Extensive experience in media or comms / To support and facilitate internal communications and research, source and deliver content for external communications / Ess. / 
JOB SKILLS / WHY / IMP. / App / Int / Test / Test Format
Attention to detail / Able to produce work, which is consistently accurate, which makes sense and which fits the purpose for which it was intended. / Ess. / 
Analytical Skills / To develop ways to measure and evaluate the effectiveness of evidence used in CR’s communications to achieve objectives. / Ess. / 
Communication Skills - Oral / Needs ability to speak to project users and other contacts clearly and professionally when preparing material for Campaigns etc. / Ess. / 
Communication Skills - Written / To identify critical information and summarise key points. Write clear, powerful and engaging stories that are grammatical and accurate. / Ess. /  /  / Written test
IT literacy in MS Windows and MS Office / Is able to create and edit documents using word processing or spreadsheet software, and to store and retrieve them on the network. Is able to use e-mail, an electronic calendar and the Internet effectively. / Ess. /  / Written test
Managing Day to Day Relationships / Identifies, nurtures and advocates key contacts of significant importance to Comic Relief over an extended period of time / Ess / 
Motivating Contacts / Understands Comic Relief’s mission and values and can use them to persuade others to actively support the organisation. / Ess / 
Operational Risk Management / Identifies and assesses the risks associated with the work of their team, and takes steps to manage them. / Ess / 
Presentation Skills / To present information about CR’s work to projects, external parties and staff. / Des. /  / Presentation exercise
Problem Solving / To be able to identify the root cause of problems. Trouble shoot minor problems as they occur. / Des. / 
Project Management / Manage multiple projects and integrated efforts, adapting to demands and shifting priorities. / Ess. / 
Risk awareness / Before acting, considers the consequences of what they do on their work, their colleagues and on Comic Relief as a whole. / Ess. / 
Research / Meeting primary research needs of the organisation. Conduct issue-based research to produce briefings for CR staff, BBC and other media partners. / Ess. / 
KNOWLEDGE / WHY / IMP. / App / Int / Test / Test Format
Understanding of some of CR grants themes / Would be an advantage. / Des. / 
Able to outline the mission of Comic Relief and awareness of one of our campaigns / Shows commitment and interest in CR / Des. / 
An understanding of Diversity / In order to promote diversity throughout the organisation / Des. / 
QUALIFICATION/OTHER REQUIREMENTS / WHY / IMP. / App / Int / Test / Test Format
Willingness to travel around the UK and internationally . / In order to gather evidence/conduct interviews for story content. / Ess. / 