UNPAID VOLUNTEER - Director of Media Relations

Role Title: Director of Media Relations
Role Type: Unpaid Volunteer
Number of Positions: 1
Location: Home-based / Remote
Reporting To: To be confirmed
Works Closely With: Director of Strategic Communications and Brand

THIS IS AN UNPAID VOLUNTEER ROLE.

About DTID

The Digital Technology Institute for Development (DTID) is an international non-profit institute advancing the responsible use of artificial intelligence, blockchain and emerging digital technologies to support sustainable development and policy implementation.

DTID brings together professionals, researchers, technology specialists and other stakeholders to generate research, develop practical solutions, strengthen partnerships and support informed decision-making at the intersection of technology, climate change and sustainable development.

The Role

DTID is seeking an experienced and well-connected Director of Media Relations to lead the organisation's external media engagement and strengthen relationships with journalists, editors, producers and relevant media organisations.

The central requirement for this role is a current and relevant network of media contacts combined with a demonstrated record of securing significant earned-media coverage.

The successful candidate will identify newsworthy opportunities arising from DTID's research, projects, announcements, experts and institutional activities and convert these into credible external media opportunities. Its core value is the ability to understand what journalists consider newsworthy, reach the appropriate media contacts and secure meaningful editorial coverage for DTID's work.

Key Responsibilities

The Director of Media Relations will:

• Develop and manage DTID's media-relations strategy.
• Establish and maintain active relationships with journalists, editors, producers and relevant media organisations.
• Pitch DTID research, projects, announcements, events, experts and commentary to appropriate media.
• Identify opportunities for interviews, expert commentary, quotations and editorial coverage.
• Work closely with the Director of Strategic Communications and Brand to identify media opportunities arising from DTID's work.
• Advise DTID leadership on media positioning and potential reputational considerations.
• Prepare senior representatives for interviews and other media engagements.
• Respond to journalist enquiries and coordinate appropriate DTID responses.
• Maintain structured records of media contacts, pitches, responses, placements and follow-up opportunities.
• Report regularly on media placements, active conversations and emerging opportunities.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of DTID's external media engagement and visibility.

Requirements

Skills and Abilities

Candidates should demonstrate:

• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Strong professional media-relations and networking skills.
• Excellent understanding of editorial decision-making.
• Ability to identify credible and newsworthy stories from institutional or technical work.
• Strong pitching and persuasive communication skills.
• Confidence communicating with senior journalists, editors and media organisations.
• Strong relationship-management and stakeholder-engagement capability.
• Excellent judgement when handling sensitive or reputational matters.
• Ability to advise and prepare senior executives for media engagements.
• Excellent organisational and follow-up skills.
• Ability to manage multiple media opportunities and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative.
• A proactive, professional and results-focused approach to work.

General and Specialist Knowledge

Candidates should have knowledge or experience in:

• Media relations.
• Journalism and editorial processes.
• Earned-media strategy.
• Public relations.
• Media pitching.
• Executive media preparation.
• Reputation and issues management.
• Media monitoring and reporting.
• Press and journalist relationship management.
• Institutional communications.

Knowledge or interest in climate change, sustainability, international development, artificial intelligence, blockchain and emerging digital technologies would be advantageous.

Education and Training

Candidates should preferably possess:

• A Bachelor's or Master's degree, or equivalent qualification, in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, Media Studies, Marketing, International Relations or another relevant discipline.

Equivalent senior professional experience and demonstrated capability may also be considered where appropriate.

• Professional proficiency in English.

Knowledge of an additional international language would be advantageous.

Experience

Candidates should ideally demonstrate:

• Senior-level professional experience in media relations, journalism, public relations or a closely related field.
• An active and relevant network of journalists, editors and media contacts.
• Demonstrated success securing significant earned-media placements.
• Experience identifying credible stories from institutional, research or technical work.
• Experience advising senior executives or organisational spokespeople.
• Experience managing journalist relationships and media enquiries.
• Experience developing and implementing media-relations strategies.

Recruitment Evidence

As part of the recruitment process, applicants should provide details of their three most recent significant media placements, including:

• Publication or media outlet.
• Date of publication or broadcast.
• Their specific role in securing the coverage.
• Whether the placement resulted from a direct pitch, existing media relationship, reactive opportunity or another route.

This evidence will form a significant part of the candidate assessment.

Benefits

What Difference Will You Make?

Credible external media coverage can significantly strengthen DTID's visibility, influence and ability to engage relevant stakeholders.

As Director of Media Relations, you will help position DTID's research, experts, projects and institutional activities in relevant national and international media.

Your contribution will strengthen DTID's media visibility, external credibility, journalist relationships and ability to participate in wider public and policy discussions.

Benefits

What Will You Gain from Volunteering with DTID?

Although this position is unpaid, volunteering with DTID provides opportunities to:

• Lead media relations for an international organisation.
• Apply and strengthen senior media-relations expertise.
• Work directly with senior leadership and technical experts.
• Develop and strengthen international media relationships.
• Gain exposure to climate, sustainability, international development and emerging digital technologies.
• Build international professional networks and strategic relationships.
• Contribute to DTID's external visibility and institutional development.
• Work within a fully remote and globally distributed organisation.

Selection Process

DTID is committed to identifying talented individuals with both demonstrated expertise and strong potential.

Applications will be assessed on the basis of demonstrated capability, relevant professional experience, media networks, evidence of successful placements and suitability for the responsibilities of the role.

The selection process will normally include:

1. Application screening
2. Written or technical assessment
3. Interview and/or technical discussion for shortlisted candidates
4. Final selection and onboarding

Candidates who successfully complete the assessment stage will be invited to progress to the next stage of the recruitment process.

Important Notice

This is an unpaid volunteer position.