PR and Media Relations Consultant

Position description

WaterAid is the #1 international non-profit exclusively focused on bringing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene education (WASH) to the children and families who need it most. Our global WASH programs, led and maintained by the communities where we work, aren’t a quick fix. We strive for long-term access to WASH that truly transforms people’s lives.

WaterAid America is seeking an experienced PR and Media Relations Consultant to develop and deliver a PR and media strategy for a major campaign launching in early 2025.

Under the leadership of the Global Head of Media, the PR and Communications, the Consultant will develop a comprehensive PR strategy for the US, with a focus on both proactive and reactive media engagement, in alignment with our campaign objectives and public engagement and communications plan.

This 9-month contract (January 2025 – September 2025) will collaborate with colleagues across the global WaterAid federation as well as managing relationships with external partners and stakeholders. Ideally, this consultant will be based in the New York City area but we welcome qualified candidates from across the United States.

The ideal candidate will have both proven experience in PR, communications, or media relations, ideally within the non-profit sector or with fundraising campaigns as well as a strong understanding of the US media landscape, with established relationships with journalists and media outlets for major national and regional titles.

The Consultant will contribute to the success of the campaign and be able to:

• Create and maintain media lists using relevant media databases.
• Establish and nurture relationships with key journalists and media outlets in the US to ensure coverage of the campaign.
• Handle all reactive media inquiries.
• Write and distribute proactive media materials, including campaign press releases.
• Draft key PR messages and lines to take for a US audience, ensuring consistency with campaign core messages
• Develop comprehensive media packs that includes key facts, statistics, and content for distribution to media outlets.
• Collaborate with the content team and other colleagues on content briefs, ensuring press-ready materials are gathered and that all content aligns with PR objectives and media requirements.
• Under the guidance of the Global Head of Media, support on any reputational risk issues. This include liaising with and advising the US based supporter care team on enquiries.
• Act as the primary point of contact with any external PR agencies, suppliers or providers. Manage any US-based PR agencies supporting with outputs for the campaign.
• Coordinate with digital, content, and advocacy colleagues and the Campaigns and Communications Lead, attending relevant working group meetings to ensure alignment across all campaign activities and an integrated communications approach.
• Monitor the external agenda in the US, flagging potential risks and looking for opportunities to respond and promote the campaign.
• Brief global media colleagues on US PR plans and share assets for onward use in global markets.
• Create a weekly media coverage report and distribute regular internal updates identify and mitigate risks.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We celebrate, support, and thrive on diversity and difference for the benefit of our employees, our mission, and the communities we serve. WaterAid is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from suitably qualified candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. We value diverse experiences and will also consider qualified applications from those who have had prior contact with the criminal legal system in accordance with the NYC Commission on Human Rights’ Guidance on the Fair Chance Act.

WaterAid is committed to the safeguarding and wellbeing of all individuals, including the people in communities in which we work, staff, volunteers, contractors, and partners. Any form of abuse is not tolerated.

Application instructions

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