Digital Communications Officer

Job title: Digital Communications Officer
Department: Communications & Engagement
Responsible to: Digital Communications Manager
Location: London - hybrid working, with visits to UWCIO at least once per week
Salary: £33,900 gross per annum
Working pattern: Full-time (38.5 hours) - other working arrangements available
Duration of contract: Permanent
Start date: Immediately

Are you our new Digital Communications Officer?

We are looking for a creative social media native who is comfortable not only with presenting UWC to different audiences but also collaborating and supporting our different stakeholders in doing so. You will join the Communications and Engagement Team at the UWC International Office (UWCIO) which consists of six people and report to the Digital Communications Manager.

As a Digital Communications Officer, you will create, develop and deliver content across all UWC International’s social media channels in line with our social media strategy and lead on sourcing or creating the relevant, required reporting to demonstrate engagement and impact. You will also support UWC’s truly global network of volunteers through digital resources, templates and training. In doing so, you will use your digital communications skills for the better, contributing to the success of the movement and supporting young people to access transformational educational opportunities they would otherwise not have dreamt of.

Part of the larger Advancement Team at UWC International, the Communications and Engagement Team provides the UWC movement with strategic leadership, support and advice in the area of internal and external communication, PR, promotion, marketing, crisis communications, alumni and wider community engagement, and partnerships with other organisations. The Team has a coordination and support function for teams across the UWC International Office, as well as other UWC stakeholders globally, such as UWC schools, colleges, national committees and governance bodies. Alongside your business-as-usual tasks, you will support the Digital Communications Manager in coordinating with the advancement and admissions teams at each of the 18 UWC schools to run ad-hoc campaigns and manage external stakeholders and partners.

About us

Changing the world takes passion and dedication

UWC is a global network of schools with a powerful difference. With a shared goal of working towards global peace and sustainability, we bring together young people from around the world to study in one of our eighteen schools on four continents. There, they don’t just learn how to be great at passing exams. They learn how to communicate across cultural boundaries. They develop the skills to be a changemaker. They design and engage in initiatives that transform their lives and the lives of those around them for the better.

Our students go on to become leaders in politics, NGOs, social enterprises, community movements, charities, and business. For life, they remain dedicated to the UWC mission and many of them remain in close contact with us, their school, and their peers, becoming part of a global community of over 60,000 changemakers transforming the lives of others.

About UWC International

The UWC International Office serves as the operational arm of UWC International, a UK-registered and Germany-registered charity, and stands as a pivotal entity within the UWC movement. Positioned in central London and Berlin, it collaborates extensively with stakeholders across the UWC spectrum, actively engages a robust alumni community comprising more than 60,000 members, and fulfils essential functions for UWC International's governance bodies. Our primary duties encompass global fundraising initiatives, comprehensive communications strategies, promotional endeavours, support for the network of over 150 UWC national committees, global strategy development and implementation, and support services to the UWC schools.

What we offer

As part of a commitment to our employees, we offer the following:

• Generous holiday allowance – 28 days per year plus eight public holidays (pro rata for part-time or fixed-term contracts).
• The standard working hours are 38.5 per week. Start and finish times can be agreed between managers and employees. We support flexible working and are happy to discuss different working patterns.
• We offer up to two days per year for volunteering and up to two days per year for study leave.
• We support staff development and provide access to training and a wide range of CharityComms resources through our UWCIO membership.
• We offer a health and well-being support package, which includes income protection, an employee assistance programme, advice and legal support helpline, remote GPs access, medical second opinions, mental health support, physiotherapy, cycle to work and a well-being calendar featuring podcasts and webinars.
• Perks and discounts portal, which provides a range of discounts across shopping, dining, lifestyle, and entertainment. With thousands of offers on hundreds of top retailers.
• Contributory pension scheme, UWC International currently contributes up to 8% of the employee’s gross salary, and the employee must match the percentage of up to 8% of their gross salary. The minimum contribution rate is 4%. This applies to everyone aged 22 and above but under state retirement age, earning at least £10,000 p.a. and classed as working in the UK.

Anyone who applies to work at UWC International in London or Berlin must have a work visa before starting
employment, in compliance with the relevant immigration rules. Please provide confirmation of your eligibility to indefinitely work or reside in the UK in your application. Any offers of employment made by UWC International will be subject to a right-to-work check on your immigration status.

Application Process

Do you want to be part of our team? To apply, please email vacancies@uwcio.uwc.org with an up-to-date copy of your CV along with a cover letter in English (each a maximum of 2 pages).

• Outline your experience, skills and competencies against the Person specification section in the
• attached Job Description.
• Explain why you want to join UWC International
• Provide confirmation of your eligibility to work or reside in the UK
• Provide the name and contact details of two professional / academic referees, including their job title, email address and the capacity in which you are known to them. References are taken up prior to interviews. We will not contact your referees without first letting you know.

Please note that CVs received without a cover letter, including the information requested above will not be considered.

Deadline for application: 23.59 (UK time) on Sunday, 10 November 2024

(Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. If you are interested, please submit your application as soon as possible)

Interview and assessment dates:

• First round of interviews and assessment on Friday, 15 November (Remote via Zoom)
• Second round of remote interviews will be scheduled for the following week.

For further information on this opportunity, please see the detailed job description link below.

UWC International holds strict child and vulnerable adults safeguarding principles and has a zero-tolerance policy for conducts of sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse in the workplace and other places where the organisation’s activities are rendered. In the process of recruitment, selection and appointment,UWC International implements a range of procedures and actions including Criminal Background Checks / International vetting / Certificate of good conduct to ensure children and vulnerable adults are safeguarded and abuse is prevented.

We expect all applicants and staff to share this commitment and to undergo appropriate checks, including a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Staff will take an active role in ensuring that we are meeting our safeguarding obligations through attending regular training and following the principles learned at all times.

Diversity Statement

UWC places deliberate diversity at the heart of our educational model because of its critical importance in our mission ‘to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future’.

At the UWC International Office, we believe this commitment to deliberate diversity must be reflected within our team, organisational practices, policies and culture. We recognise people with different backgrounds, skills, attitudes and experiences bring fresh ideas and perceptions, and we encourage and leverage these differences to make our work more relevant and accessible.

We will not discriminate or tolerate discriminatory behaviour on any grounds such as, but not limited to, race, gender, disability, nationality, national or ethnic origin, religion or belief, marital/partnership or family status, sexual orientation, age or socioeconomic background.

We strive to be an inclusive workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging, has a voice, can raise concerns, and feels comfortable and confident. We expect everyone who works with us to share this commitment and to act accordingly as we aspire best to serve the UWC mission and our global community. It is an ongoing journey and we welcome all those ready to travel with us.