The Degrees Initiative seeks a Communications Manager to be a part of a dynamic, expanding NGO working on climate change and development.
The Degrees Initiative is a UK-based NGO that builds the capacity of developing countries to evaluate solar radiation modification (SRM), a controversial proposal for reducing some impacts of climate change by reflecting sunlight away from the Earth. Degrees is neutral on whether SRM should ever be used, but we believe that developing countries should be empowered to conduct their own research and to play a central role in SRM discussions. The initiative has been working in different forms for over a decade and our work receives worldwide coverage and widespread acclaim.
We seek a Communications Manager to work closely with the Degrees team, the researchers we support in the Global South, and our stakeholders around the world to further raise our profile – initially focusing on the specialist SRM expert community but over time expanding to the broader climate science and policy arena.
The right candidate will manage a multifaceted comms operation that will:
- Promote the work and achievements of Degrees, especially by raising our public profile in the media;
- Support and promote the Global South researchers whom we fund and their SRM research projects;
- Promote an understanding of why Global South experts must be at the centre of SRM discussions;
- Support the organisation’s engagement with diverse stakeholders across the globe;
- Manage the Communications and Programmes Officer.
This role will not suit someone looking for structure and predictability but should be fun and interesting for a self-starter who enjoys shaping events in a rapidly evolving field.
Main responsibilities
Degrees is in expansion mode and operates in a controversial field, so the work will be varied and challenging. Within any given week the comms manager might have to, with the support of the Communications and Programmes Officer:
- Support the CEO and Chief of Staff in planning communications and relevant stakeholder engagement;
- Plan, create, and promote engaging content such as news articles, quarterly newsletters, videos, graphics, press releases, and social media — sometimes in response to internal and external developments;
In particular, deliver strategic promotional and communications outputs for the forthcoming Degrees Global Forum taking place in South Africa in May 2025; - Monitor, engage, and develop relationships with journalists and commentators who write about SRM;
- Track developments in the SRM public discourse;
- Liaise with Degrees-funded researchers to promote them and their work, including sharing innovative stories about them, helping place their public-facing writings, producing briefing materials, and arranging and sometimes facilitating training activities;
- Support the production of other communicative content, including the charity’s annual report, reports for existing funders, and other fundraising materials;
- Engage and collaborate with stakeholders, including partner organisations;
- Help prepare statements and presentations for the CEO;
- Develop procedures and messaging for responding to developments and possible communication challenges;
- Oversee communication infrastructure, including our website, newsletter, and social media accounts;
- In particular, oversee a redevelopment of our website;
- Track and report communication analytics.