Communications and Press Officer

International Transport Workers Federation

About the Organisation

International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) is a democratic, affiliate-led federation recognised as the world’s leading transport authority. We fight passionately to improve workers' lives, connecting more than 700 affiliated trade unions from 150 countries to secure rights, equality and justice for workers globally. We are the voice for nearly 18.5 million transport workers across the world. We have offices in London, Abidjan, Amman, Brussels, Geneva, Hong Kong, Montreal, Nairobi, New Delhi, Panama City, Rio de Janeiro, Singapore, Sydney, and Tokyo, with members spanning the globe.

About the role

The Communications and Press Officer plays a central role in supporting the development and delivery of strategic communications across ITF’s industrial sectors and political departments. Reporting to the Head of Communications, this hands-on role leads ITF’s day-to-day media relations and press activity, while supporting the creation of high-quality content in support of sectoral and departmental communications and campaigns. The Communications and Press Officer works across the Communications team and wider ITF Secretariat to develop compelling stories, secure earned media, and support the delivery of coordinated, effective communications that strengthen the ITF’s global voice.

This role provides operational, technical or administrative support within a specific area of ITF’s work. It involves processing complex information, maintaining accurate records, responding to enquiries, and supporting internal and external stakeholders to ensure the smooth delivery of ITF projects, services, or campaigns. The postholder plays a key role in ensuring that high standards, accuracy, and values are upheld in the day-to-day work of the organisation.

Responsibilities

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the implementation of communications strategies across ITF’s industrial sectors and political departments, working under the direction of the Head of Communications to ensure outputs are aligned with organisational priorities.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of communications plans that strengthen union power, support industrial and departmental priorities, and engage diverse audiences, including workers, unions, allies, media, decision-makers and the public.
• Draft and support the production of high-quality content – including press releases, media advisories, op-eds, speeches, workers’ stories, talking points and reports – ensuring all outputs are politically grounded, accurate and impactful.
• Work with the Director of Communications and Head of Communications to implement ITF’s global media strategy aligned with ITF campaigns, programmes and priorities.
• Lead day-to-day media engagement, including managing incoming requests, pitching stories, briefing journalists, organising interviews, and developing media lists and materials.
• Provide messaging support and press briefings for ITF spokespeople, leadership and affiliates, and coordinate media engagement across key moments, campaigns and events.
• Work with the wider Communications team to ensure alignment of media and messaging strategies across digital, social and traditional platforms.
• Monitor media coverage, track impact and provide insights to help shape future media and communications strategies.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists, editors, producers and international media outlets, maintaining the ITF’s media database and acting as the day-to-day press officer.
• Support the delivery of communications activity for major ITF events and campaigns, contributing to planning, messaging and content development.
• Provide communications support for major ITF events and activities, including conferences, meetings, campaigns and initiatives.
• Contribute to strengthening communications capacity across the ITF and its affiliates, including skills training.
• Any and all duties as directed by the General Secretary to meet the needs of the organisation, including redeployment to a section or department in your employment location on a time-limited basis or in a genuine emergency only, subject to an organisational policy on redeployment.

Campaign and Project Support:

• Support the implementation of specific activities within campaigns or projects under direction
• Assist in collating research, analysis and monitoring data to support section priorities
• Provide administrative and logistical support to campaign or project delivery

Affiliate and Stakeholder Liaison:

• Maintain regular communication with affiliates to share updates and gather feedback
• Support preparation for external meetings and briefings, occasionally representing the section where appropriate
• Assist in tracking stakeholder engagement and maintaining contact lists and records

Communications and Materials:

• Assist in drafting campaign content such as updates, letters, newsletters and presentations
• Help coordinate with the Communications team on the production and dissemination of materials
• Manage internal systems for storing and retrieving campaign-related documents

Team Coordination:

• Support cross-team coordination through regular updates, shared documents, and internal communications
• Assist with the organisation of meetings and working groups, including logistics and note-taking

Solidarity Support (with oversight):

• Assist in gathering information and drafting responses to solidarity requests
• Ensure accurate records are maintained and that actions follow agreed guidance and templates

Research and Analysis:

• Carry out basic research and data collection (background on companies, sectors or policies)
• Summarise findings into short notes or visual formats for team use

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Essential:

• Substantial experience in journalism, media relations or strategic communications, preferably in a global context.
• Proven ability to develop and deliver media strategies that increase organisational visibility and support advocacy or campaign objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to brief and support senior spokespeople and leaders for high-stakes media engagement, interviews and public commentary.
• Experience working in multilingual, multicultural environments and collaborating with international media outlets and partners.
• Experience delivering media training sessions to build internal capacity and confidence in media engagement.
• Excellent news sense and editorial judgement, with strong writing and storytelling skills across formats including press releases, op-eds and briefings.
• Ability to translate complex political or policy issues into clear, engaging media narratives for global audiences.
• Proficiency with media monitoring, analysis and reporting tools
• Project management skills with the ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and respond quickly to fast-moving media moments.
• Strong editorial judgment and attention to detail, with the ability to quality-assure outputs from concept to publication.
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to quality-assure content.
• Interpersonal skills and ability to develop relationships to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders in a complex political environment.
• Demonstrated engagement with trade unionism, progressive politics and social justice.
• Ability to work independently, manage own workload day-to-day across multiple priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to progressive change, movement-building, and working in a multi-racial, multi-cultural environment.
• Willingness to travel internationally and work flexibly

Desirable:

• Proficiency and familiarity with media relationship management tools (Agility)
• Fluency in languages other than English will be considered an advantage.

Required Qualifications

• A graduate qualification in journalism, communications, international relations, and related fields, and equivalent academic, professional, and life experience.

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual Leave with yearly increment up to 30 days
• Annual Bonus
• Pension Contributions
• Learning and Development Opportunities

Working locations

• London, United Kingdom

How to apply

• Apply to our website

Policies

At the ITF, we are committed to providing an inclusive environment for our team and our affiliates. We see the diversity of our staff as a source of intelligence and our strength. This means that we work creatively to make the most of the unique experiences and perspectives. We are an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all applications regardless of gender, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, race, migration status, colour, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or beliefs, disability, age, political opinions or trade union affiliation or activity.

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