Communications Officer – The Racial Justice Network 

Hours and Status: 10-15 hours per week  

Reports to: Director  

Location: West Yorkshire (current meetings are online but will return to face to face in Leeds and  Bradford post pandemic)

Payment Rate: £12.50 per hour (£26,000, pro rata).  

Start date: end of January/February 2021

The Racial Justice Network (RJN) brings together organisations and individuals in Yorkshire and  beyond to campaign for economic, spiritual and cultural repairs to end racial injustice and address  legacies of colonialism. Our aims include raising consciousness of racial inequality and injustice;  challenging institutional and individual imbalances of power; and building solidarity with those who  share our commitment to collective liberation.  

We listen to, work with and have our work led by racially minoritised communities; ensuring our work  has intersectionality at its heart. We seek to take positive and effective action through mobilising;  organising; training; community building; research and evidence collation; advocacy; and media  engagement. We also liaise with the voluntary, public and private sectors to heighten race analysis  and bring about change.  

About the role  

We are looking for an experienced Communications Officer to join our small but highly impactful  team to help promote our work to increase reach and amplify our key messages. You will be a  creative, enthusiastic and collaborative individual with a demonstrable commitment to tackling racial inequality. The nature of this job is fast paced and will often involve having initiative as a response.  Experience in the charity sector is desirable. It is fundamental you have race analysis, race literacy  and are familiar with the intersections of race, migration and colonialism. A clear understanding of multiple oppressions (protected characteristics) and ability to act and work intersectionally with marginalised groups and communities is essential. 

Role responsibilities  

Your responsibilities will be to plan, deliver and monitor all public facing communications for RJN’s  activities. You will:  

1. Manage the website – updating it with content including on our campaigns, events, news and more. You will also develop the website as needed. 
2. Create and schedule content for our Youtube, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter pages. 
3. Write and/or edit articles, blogs, statements and other written communications. 
4. Prepare press releases and liaise with the media where necessary including to coordinate TV, radio and other public appearances. You will also prep RJN staff, trustees and members for media and public engagements. 
5. Produce and disseminate a monthly newsletter with a roundup of organisational news and responses to topical issues. 
6. Attend events to promote RJN’s work and bring on board new members. 
7. Assist the team with the compilation of monthly reports on our activities, providing metrics of our communications activities. 
8. Engage and increase audience across our different media platforms.
9. Managing and maintaining our database of networks and teams.
10. Undertake any other relevant tasks in relation to the work of the organisation as requested by the Director.

Person specification 

We are looking for someone with the below skills, knowledge and experience.  

1. Lived experience of being racially minoritised.

2. Knowledge of racial (in)justice, intersectionality and social justice including issues around  class, migration and colonialism. 

3. Experience of working in the charity sector.

4. Knowledge of local/regional issues, groups, the voluntary sector and authorities. 

5. Excellent organisational and time management skills -able to work in a fast-paced  environment, prioritise workload, meet deadlines, and problem solve with initiative. 

6. Knowledge of and experience delivering successful communications activities such as  press releases, liaise with media and event planning ideally in the racial justice.

7. Ability to craft communications plans and strategies for individual campaigns and projects. 

8. Excellent written and verbal communication skills – able to write engaging copy, proof-read  and deliver clear presentations. 

9. Experience of using social media platforms to effectively communicate key messages. This  involves developing original content such as images and videos for our Twitter, Instagram  Youtube and Facebook pages. 

10. Experience of managing relationships with the media. 

11. Experience of managing websites and able to effectively use CMS systems such as  WordPress. 

12. Experience of undertaking website and social media performance analytics. 

13. Excellent IT skills, able to use Microsoft Office, Gmail and Zoom. 

14. Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team. 

15. Knowledge of media management including photography, shooting and editing videos.

16. Ability to follow instructions and guidelines.

Applying 

✔ Please email your CV and a Cover Letter describing how you fit the requirements no  longer than 2 A4 pages to penny@racialjusticenetwork.co.uk 

✔ Deadline to receive applications: January 11th, 2021. 

✔ Interview January 18, 2021

✔ Start of job: January/ February 2021

✔ For any queries regarding the role, please contact penny@racialjusticenetwork.co.uk on December 21-22 and the week commencing on January 4th, 2021. 

Projects Officer – The Racial Justice Network 

Hours and Status: 10-15 hours per week  

Reports to: Director  

Location: West Yorkshire (current meetings are online but will return to face to face in Leeds and Bradford post pandemic)

Salary: £12.50 per hour (£26,000 pro rata).  

Start date: February, 2021

The Racial Justice Network (RJN) brings together organisations and individuals in Yorkshire and  beyond to campaign for economic, spiritual and cultural repairs to end racial injustice and address  legacies of colonialism. Our aims include raising consciousness of racial inequality and injustice;  challenging institutional and individual imbalances of power; and building solidarity with those who  share our commitment to collective liberation.  

We listen to, work with and have our work led by racially minoritised communities; ensuring our  work has intersectionality at its heart. We seek to take positive and effective action through  mobilising; organising; training; community building; research and evidence collation; advocacy;  and media engagement. We also liaise with the voluntary, public and private sectors to heighten  race analysis and bring about change.  

About the role  

The Project Officer will be a central part of the organisation, supporting the team to deliver high  quality and well-thought campaigns, coordinate projects, events, research and more. We are looking for a passionate  individual who is able to balance multiple projects at once. They will have the skills and energy to  deliver high-quality work in an effective and efficient manner. They will need to offer pastoral  support to our members and volunteers as well as represent RJN externally. The nature of this job  is fast paced and the Project Officer will need to problem solve accordingly and demonstrate  initiative.  A clear understanding of multiple oppressions (protected characteristics) and ability to act and work intersectionally with marginalised groups and communities is essential.

Role responsibilities 

1. Develop and maintain administrative systems to ensure the smooth running of the organisation. This will include maintaining accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date records of all meetings, trainings and project activities. 
2. Coordinate activities and actions related to RJN projects.
3. Write meeting minutes including for team meetings, member meetings and others. 
4. Write or contribute to work plans and reports for funders and trustees. 
5. Assist with the coordination of campaign activities including planning actions and events across the West Yorkshire region, as well as leading and facilitating at some events. 
6. Contribute to the development of RJN’s strategic plans. 
7. Engage with internal and stakeholders and partners in writing and at meetings. 
8. Build and maintain strong relationships of trust and mutual support between anti-racist, and migrant and refugee rights campaigners in the region and nationally. 
9. Maintain and support relationships with our volunteers, members and partners.
10. Contribute to reports and research, including content for our communications work.
11. Undertake any other relevant tasks in relation to the work of the organisation as requested by the Director. 

Person Specification 

We are looking for someone who has the below skills, knowledge and experience. 

1. Lived experience of being racially minorised.

2. Knowledge of racial (in)justice, intersectionality and social justice including issues on  class, migration, colonialism and climate change. 

3. Experience of working in the charity sector.

4. Knowledge of local/regional issues,  groups, the voluntary sector and authorities. 

5. Ability to build and manage relationships with people from a wide range of backgrounds.

6. Experience of offering pastoral support and supporting volunteers.

7. Experience of coordinating and managing projects.

8. Excellent organisational and time management skills -able to work in a fast-paced  environment, prioritise workload, meet deadlines, and problem solve with initiative. 

9. Experience of setting up and managing administrative systems. 

10. Excellent written and verbal communication skills – with the ability to write engaging copy  and deliver clear presentations. 

11. Experience of organising, facilitating and minuting meetings. 

12. Events planning and delivery experience. 

13. Accuracy and attention to detail. 

14.  Excellent IT skills, able to use Microsoft Office, Gmail and Zoom. 

15. Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team. 

16. Ability to follow instructions and guidelines.

Applying 

✔ Please email your CV and a Cover Letter describing how you fit the requirements no longer than  2 A4 pages to penny@racialjusticenetwork.co.uk 

✔ Deadline to receive applications: January 11th, 2021. 

✔ Interview January 18, 2021

✔ Start of job: February 2021

✔ For any queries regarding the role,  please contact penny@racialjusticenetwork.co.uk on December 21-22 and the week commencing on January 4th, 2021.