Director of Communications and Knowledge Translation

Health Care Without Harm Europe

Hours
32 - 38 hours per week

Start date
February 2027 

About the Organisation

Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) Europe is an international non-profit NGO and an acknowledged leader in the field of sustainable healthcare. Its mission is to 'Transform the healthcare sector so that it reduces its environmental footprint, becomes more resilient, and establishes itself as a leader for sustainable development in Europe'. HCWH Europe is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, with staff working remotely in five other European countries.

It is part of the HCWH international organisation with other offices in the US and Asia, as well as a global team that works across all regions. HCWH works closely with health professionals, hospitals, healthcare systems, NGOs, local government, Ministries of Health and international organisations. HCWH Europe is a membership organisation with 247 institutional members representing 8,445 healthcare facilities collectively serving over 150 million people in 28 countries of the WHO Europe region.

Its members are also part of the Global Green and Healthy Hospitals (GGHH) network, the largest sustainable healthcare network in the world, focused on the interests and needs of healthcare practitioners. HCWH Europe has a new organisational Strategy 2026-2030, in which a new focus on Knowledge Translation, in order to drive greater impact at scale on national and European healthcare policy and practice, is central.

About the role

Reporting to the Executive Director and serving as a member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), the Director of Communications & Knowledge Translation will provide strategic leadership for all Health Care Without Harm Europe's Communications and Knowledge Translation activities, ensuring that they operate cost-efficiently and meet their defined measures of success.

The Director will form a key part of a small, high-performing team working at the timely intersection of health and the environment. S/he will lead and support all of the organisation's engagement and communication with target audiences, so that they achieve maximum impact on European healthcare policy and practice in support of the organisation's mission.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

• As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, support the Executive Director (ED) and contribute to the organisational management of Health Care Without Harm (Europe) and the successful development and implementation of its future organisational goals and objectives.
• Lead the Communications & Knowledge Translation Department, developing and managing team plans in support of strategic objectives.
• Working closely with the Executive Director and Director of Programmes, develop HCWH Europe's Knowledge Translation strategy to help the organisation achieve its ambitions for the rapid scale-up in reach and impact of its programmes (including the Born Green Generation).
• Lead the organisation's activities and approach in using knowledge translation to drive behaviour change in the healthcare sector, and transform European healthcare culture through clear engagement strategies.
• Work closely with the Head of Community Engagement and his team to drive greater reach and impact through HCWH Europe's new national networks, the Global Green and Health Hospitals network, and the Healthcare Professionals network.
• Lead and manage high-level partnerships related to HCWH Europe's knowledge translation, communications and media; and advise and support the maintenance and development of all HCWH Europe's external partnerships and its external engagement activities.
• Coordinate with partners, HCWH International Federation colleagues and others to develop consistent and compelling storytelling and other content that grows and engages audiences.
• Support the HCWH Europe Programme and Development teams in the creation of compelling programme proposals for successful revenue raising.
• Oversee brand development and marketing of HCWH Europe, in coordination with the HCWH Global Secretariat Communications team, including innovative storytelling campaigns, and provide leadership to ensure brand consistency.
• Oversee the development, distribution and maintenance of all digital, media and print content to ensure they are compelling and usable by target audiences, including: HCWH Europe's website, newsletters, organisational and project reports and publications, policy and advocacy initiatives, and fundraising materials.
• Support the development, reach and impact of HCWH Europe's events (including CleanMed Europe).
• Develop and lead implementation of HCWH Europe's multilingual activities, as defined by its Knowledge Translation strategy.
• Support the Executive Director, Director of Programmes and other staff members in any specific representation of the organisation at conferences, meetings and events. Where required, represent HCWH Europe in national or international events.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Required Qualifications & Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years' relevant communications and knowledge translation experience in the non-profit sector, with at least three years in a senior leadership/supervisory role.
• Significant line management, staff mentoring, and team development and coaching experience.
• Experience of working in a national or international membership organisation would be a distinct advantage.
• Experience in the fields of sustainability and health would also be an advantage.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Dynamic and creative thinker with outstanding writing/editing and verbal communication skills.
• Fluent English (verbal and written) is mandatory for this role; working knowledge of other European languages would be an advantage.
• Effective storyteller able to transform knowledge into exciting, engaging, and impactful messages and disseminate them to the right audiences through the most effective distribution channels.
• Demonstrable experience of working and engaging with multiple stakeholders to translate complex technical outputs into policy and practice at national or international levels.
• Experience working with diverse teams to develop and implement communications and knowledge translation strategies.
• High energy, maturity and leadership; results-focused with exceptional organisational skills and a strong track record of managing a range of communications initiatives concurrently.
• Experience using data to make communications decisions.

Required Qualifications

• A Master's degree in Communications, Public/Media Relations, or related area of study and equivalent experience.

Compensation & Benefits

• Leave at the higher of 25 days per annum or the legal minimum requirement in the country of employment;
• Christmas break: The office is closed between Christmas and New Year inclusive (this is an additional paid holiday);
• We operate a four-day work week, where every Friday is an additional paid day off without the need for extra hours
• We offer flexible working arrangements. We understand the importance of work-life balance and strive to accommodate our team members’ preferences whenever possible.

Conditions of employment

• All candidates must hold the existing right to work in Belgium, the EU, or the UK.

Working locations

• Home-based

How to apply

• To apply for this position, please send an email to [email protected].
  • Please include your last name and the job title in the subject line: "LAST NAME Director of Communications & Knowledge Translation".
  • Attach your CV and a cover letter (Word or PDF format) explaining your motivation for the position.
  • Please let us know where you found the position advertised and when you would be able to start.
• All applications must be received by Midnight (Central European Time) on Sunday, 22nd November 2026.

Interviews

• Successful candidates will be contacted by 26th November 2026.
• First interviews will be held remotely (online) in the week beginning Monday, 30th November 2026.
• Please note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

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