Digital Communications Officer (f/t)

Digital Communications Officer (f/t)

ESN – European Social Network

Brussels, Belgium

1) Overall Responsibility

Develop and implement communication strategies aimed at promoting visibility and enhancing the image of the organisations.

2) About ESN

The European Social Network (ESN) is the leading network for public social services, bringing together 180 national, regional, and local public social services administrations from 35 countries.

ESN promotes the development of effective social policy and social care practices through building and exchange of knowledge and expertise. ESN contributes to European policymaking, aiming to improve people’s life chances through high-quality public social services. For more information, visit www.esn-eu.org.

3) About the Role

The European Social Network is recruiting a Communications Officer or a Senior Communications Officer to promote our work internationally. This is a permanent full-time role in Brussels, Belgium.

The role requires experience in branding, marketing and design, with the ability to implement ESN’s communications strategies, produce creative messaging and the visual elements for ESN events. You will work within the communications team in close cooperation with the operations, membership, event, and project teams.

4) Responsibilities

• Coordinate the production of visual promotional materials in accordance with ESN’s communication strategy and brand guidelines;
• Contribute to copy-editing, proofreading and layout as necessary;
• Ensure consistency of ESN branding across the organisation’s publications and websites;
• Prepare and disseminate digital communications;
• Ensure our communications are widely disseminated and targeted;
• Implement event-related communications;
• Contribute to managing the digital ESN CRM ensuring validity of data, organising and categorising data for communications purposes;
• Coordinate and monitor ESN’s social media channels;
• Research and present alternative means of communications using new media and technology;
• Research and present a press and media strategy to raise ESN’s profile and help promote its messages;
• Maintain ESN’s audio-visual library;
• Coordinate relations with external agencies and providers as required.

This list of duties is not exhaustive, and other duties may be required commensurate with the role.

5) Qualifications

• Relevant degree in communication, marketing, public relations, or equivalent experience in a similar position with a focus on graphic design;
• 3+ years’ experience in a similar role for the Communications Officer position, and more than 5+ years communications experience for the role of Senior Communications Officer;
• Excellent verbal and written communication in English; proficiency in other European languages is an asset;
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively as part of a team, and highly resourceful;
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign; familiarity with Canva, Motion Array (or other video production software);
• Experience in creating short videos and graphics for social media, and in podcast production;
• Keen eye for branding, marketing, and design;
• Attention to detail and a strong interest in developing creative projects and products;
• Knowledge of email marketing and CMS management, specifically Drupal and WordPress;
• Knowledge of SEO, Google Analytics, and social media reporting tools;
• Knowledge of CRM development and maintenance; familiarity with HubSpot CRM is desirable;
• Strong time-management skills and the drive to meet deadlines;
• Well-organised, practical-minded, and able to prioritise a busy and varied workload;
• Political and cultural sensitivity; some knowledge of the EU and an understanding of the role of social services;
• Integrity and confidentiality.

6) What We Offer

• Full-time permanent contract;
• A well-respected, multidisciplinary, and multicultural working environment within an organisation dedicated to promoting no-one is left behind;
• A dynamic team of social inclusion leaders eager to leverage your communications skills to advocate effectively to the EU and beyond;
• A competitive package:
  • A salary commensurate with experience and role;
  • Benefits: holiday pay, 13^th-month bonus, year-end bonus, lunch vouches, travel reimbursement, hospitalisation insurance, eco-vouchers, extra-legal leave, Christmas leave;
  • Flexible working hours, partial homeworking.
• We support staff in their professional development.

7) Apply

Please note that we only accept applications that meet the following requirements:

Submit your application in a single PDF file, no longer than 3 pages, addressed in English to ESN CEO Alfonso Lara-Montero at recruitment@esn-eu.org, including:

1. Your CV in Europass format;
2. A cover letter detailing why you wish to work for ESN and how you meet the requirements;
3. Subject of your email: ESN Comms Officer – Your Name Surname;
4. Include a link to a portfolio or samples of previous communications work.

8) Recruitment

• Interviews: On demand;
• Desired start date: Position currently available;
• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted;
• Apply only if you have the right to work and live in Belgium (you have the right documentation, currently living in Belgium or willing to relocate soon);
• Start date: Based on agreement with the selected candidate.

9) Equal Opportunities Statement

We welcome applications from all backgrounds, particularly from applicants from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, any ethnicity, or ability. It is the policy of the European Social Network to treat all employees and job applicants fairly and equally, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, marital status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion, age, disability, trade union membership status or any other protected characteristic.

Details of candidates are kept in the reserve list of the association for six months.

Candidates must inform ESN if they do not wish their data to be kept.