Senior Communications Officer

Senior Communications Officer

Seas At Risk

Brussels, Belgium

We are hiring a SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER.

Seas At Risk is a Brussels-based NGO campaigning for the protection and restoration of the marine environment. Together with its 30+ members from all over Europe, it works to make sure that life in our seas and oceans is abundant, diverse, climate-resilient, and not threatened by human activities.

We are looking for a creative and experienced Senior Communications Officer to join our Communications Team. Reporting to the Communications Director, you will lead on strategy, content creation and media engagement to raise SAR’s profile and impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, lead and implement communications strategies for one or more of SAR’s key policy areas;
• Contribute to the organisation-wide communications strategy and annual planning;
• Develop media and campaign messages and stories based on robust data and evidence aiming to influence policy-makers across Europe;
• Produce and edit high-quality content including newsletters, briefings, reports, and brochures;
• Manage the SAR website – design, content updates, and optimisation;
• Create compelling visual content (graphics, infographics, videos, animations) using tools such as Canva and Adobe;
• Build and maintain strong media relations; draft press releases and conduct media monitoring;
• Manage SAR’s social media channels; develop content and provide performance analytics;
• Identify new conversations, social movements and opportunities, and support the team in seizing new opportunities to increase our media and campaigns impact;
• Lead on communications for events and campaigns;
• Collaborate with EU institutions, member organisations, and NGO partners;
• Provide expert communications advice to staff and support coalition work;
• Contribute to fundraising efforts by supporting grant writing, budget planning, and reporting;
• Manage communications budgets and oversee external contractors and service providers.

What We’re Looking For

• At least 6 years of professional experience in communications, preferably within the NGO, environmental or political sector, and a relevant university degree or equivalent;
• Excellent writing and editing skills in English (additional languages are a plus);
• Strong strategic thinking and project management skills;
• Proven experience with digital tools, web content management, and multimedia production;
• Solid understanding of the EU institutions and marine/environmental policy is an asset;
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an international team;
• Commitment to SAR’s mission and values;
• Experience conceiving and directing public-facing campaigns and crafting campaign-style messages;
• A track record engaging and developing relationships with journalists and media outlets;
• Experience working in coalitions and developing strong networks and relationships with EU institutions, NGOs and other relevant stakeholders.

What We Offer

Seas At Risk offers the opportunity to work in a growing NGO with a stimulating, informal, flexible and multicultural working environment. The post is based in Brussels, full time, with a contract of indeterminate duration, to start as soon as possible. We offer a competitive salary (senior pay range extends from approximately 4,200 EUR to 5,400 EUR gross, depending on relevant experience), coupled with various benefits including a holiday bonus, 13^th month, pension scheme, health insurance, lunch vouchers, working from home and representation allowances, contribution to public transport costs, and 32 days of paid leave.

Self-Assessment

PLEASE, READ THIS CAREFULLY: Before submitting your application take time for a self-assessment according to the criteria important for this position. We encourage you to be honest in this exercise, as this self-assessment will help you to evaluate if this position is for you.

Please score each criterion from 0 to 3 (0 = not at all; 1 = rather not; 2 = yes, partly; 3 = yes, absolutely). Then add up the scores to obtain the total.

Criteria (Score: 0 = not at all; 1 = rather not; 2 = yes, partly; 3 = yes, absolutely)		Score
1	I have good general education, including a relevant university degree or equivalent.
2	I have at least six years of experience working on external communications, including the development of high impact communications strategies.
3	I share the values and convictions of SAR.
4	I have experience conceiving and directing public-facing campaigns and crafting campaign-style messages.
5	I have a track record of establishing and developing relationships with journalists and media outlets.
6	I have excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
7	I have previously organised conferences or other big events.
8	I would enjoy working in an international and multicultural context.
9	I have a good understanding of the functioning of the EU institutions.
10	I am at ease with computers and learn quickly to use new programmes and platforms.
11	I am flexible and able to adapt to changing circumstances (e.g. multiple assignments, working under pressure, responsiveness to requests, followup of decisions).
12	I am open, creative and able to propose and integrate new ideas and approaches.
13	I am happy to occasionally travel for work and to exceptionally work on evenings or on weekends.
14	I have strong self-motivation, curiosity and willingness to learn.
	TOTAL
15	I have the right to work in Belgium/an EU work permit and willingness to establish residence in Belgium.	Yes/No

Before submitting your application, please answer the following question and you will know if you should apply for this position:

Question	Answer
Is your total score more than 28?	NO: Your profile doesn’t match our criteria, and you should not apply for this position. YES: We are happy to receive your application (if your answer to the next question is YES, too).
Did you answer ‘Yes’ to question 15?	NO: Unfortunately, you cannot apply for this position. YES: You can apply for this position. Please send your application.

How To Apply

Send the following (in English) to secretariat@seas-at-risk.org with the subject line ‘Senior Communications Officer – your surname and name’:

• A letter (max. 1 page) explaining your motivation, values and qualifications that you feel you can bring to the role and how you meet the job requirements;
• Your CV;
• The self-assessment score card;
• A sample of a communications strategy that you have developed in the past;
• An article or any other written material representing your writing skills in English;
• Contact details of two referees.

Application Deadline: 31 July 2025. Interviews will begin week commencing 11 August.