Role Description

Position title:  Communications & Social Media Assistant

Location: Banjul, The Gambia

Reports to: Communications & Media Officer

Hours: The Placement can be 1-4 days a week for up to 6 weeks negotiable.
Longer-term considered but British Youth Council prefers to pay volunteers once they start taking on responsibilities. Core hour’s 7hrs day around 10.00 – 16.00.

Expenses Travel to work expenses/lunch allowance to maximum of £75/week

Scope and purpose of role of a volunteer
In this role you will become one of the main points of contact for the media, supporting the Communications & Media Officer with press enquires and supporting media spokespeople. You’ll need to develop relationships with journalists in the lead up to the UK Youth Parliament’s House of Commons Sitting providing them with comprehensive information on the event itself our policy process and campaigns.

Be a key member of the Policy, Campaigns and Communications Department and play an active role in promoting positive images of young people and supporting them to get their voices heard.Develop skills in drafting press releases, supporting the development of a media plan, but also given the opportunity to populate Twitter and Facebook with news stories and engage with key contacts. The role would suit an ambitious creative person with some experience of working in a busy environment. Ability to write and familiarity with web publishing systems would be ideal, as well as experience with the main social media platforms.

Background information
The British Youth Council is a charity led and governed by young people to empower others to have a say and be heard. Through our membership organisations and youth council network as the national youth council of the UK, we are a unique coalition of young people aged 25 and under. We give young people, wherever they’re from, opportunities and support to inform, influence and take part in decisions – locally, nationally and internationally. British Youth Council ensures that young people are recognised for the positive contributions they make to society and that their voices are heard by the people who matter. In March 2011 we were awarded the contract for the management of a programme of support for the African Youth Parliament.

Key opportunities
We will provide a range of activities in our media office to give you a range of experience including CMS, writing, and reporting and visiting/taking part in events.  Policy, Campaigns and Communications Department

Key activities
Press

• Act as contact point for the media to broker and support media coverage
• To monitor the Press Office email inbox and ensure enquiries are responded to or referred to the appropriate team.
• To assist the Communications & Media Officer in preparing and producing briefing materials and press releases.
• To provide administrative and logistical support at our events.
• To establish a good knowledge of key media contacts in the national and regional newspapers and websites, TV and radio outlets and ensure up-to-date details and distribution lists are maintained.
• To assist with the maintenance of our press database.
• Provide support to other volunteers in producing communications online via websites, blogs and social media including vod/podcasts.
• To assist with contacting news desks and journalists for new news stories.
• To lead on the evaluation and recording of press hits.

Communications & New Media content
Draft timely, relevant and engaging communications material to share news and information on
African Youth Parliament and Africa Youth Council activities in a planned way, across our networks, both online and offline – e.g. supporting production our regular e-bulletin and/magazine.
Act as custodian of social media presence. Monitoring content which is relevant to our campaigns and events.

Other

• Liaise with British Youth Council suppliers and partner agencies as appropriate.
• Adhere to all British Youth Council policies, regulations, and statutory requirements, as detailed in the British Youth Council induction handbook
• Attend meetings and events when requested.
• Work in partnership with other organisations/meetings.
• Perform any other duties related to the role purpose, as required by the line manager.

This is a permanent position based at our Headquarters currently at Atlantic Road, Cape Point Road, Banjul, Kanifing Municipal Council. Email your applications to: [email protected]

Benefits: 25 days annual leave + public holidays, a contributory pension scheme and more.

Appointment subject to satisfactory references, proof of right to work in The Gambia.