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Communications Consultant

Democratic Progress Institute (DPI)

Supporting Peace Through Dialogue by Engaging the Leading Actors and Civil Society in Türkiye

Location: Remote in UK (flexibility to attend the London office when required)

Start Date: As soon as possible

Deadline: 24 July 2026

Period: 12 months with possibility to extend

Background

The Democratic Progress Institute (DPI) is an independent non-governmental organisation established in consultation with international experts in conflict resolution and democratic advancement in Türkiye and the region. DPI seeks to promote peace and democracy building through strengthened public dialogue and political engagement.

Through its Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI), the European Union is funding a programme supporting inclusive dialogue and peacebuilding in Türkiye. The programme engages political actors, civil society organisations, women's groups, and youth voices across Türkiye, producing a series of reports, roundtables, and high-level exchanges designed to contribute to a durable, inclusive peace process.

DPI has developed a comprehensive Communications Strategy for this project, which serves as the primary operational reference document for this role. The strategy sets out communications objectives, messaging architecture, content governance framework, channel activation sequence, participant consent protocols, EU compliance obligations, risk register, and responsibility matrix.

The successful consultant will be expected to operationalise this strategy from the outset.

Purpose and Objectives

DPI is seeking an experienced Communications Consultant to lead the management and implementation of all strategic communications for this EU-funded project. The consultant will work within an agreed governance framework and in close collaboration with the DPI Programmes team. A comprehensive Communications Strategy has already been developed and approved for this project. The consultant will not be required to develop the strategy from scratch; rather, they will be expected to operationalise, implement, and build upon it from the outset of their engagement.

The consultant will:

• Operationalise the approved Communications Strategy, including the content governance framework, style guide, and channel activation sequence.
• Manage and grow DPI's digital presence across all relevant platforms in a sequenced and politically considered manner.
• Contract, brief, and manage specialist sub-contractors - including a photographer, video editor, digital designer - required to deliver the full range of communications outputs. The consultant is the primary point of coordination for these relationships on behalf of DPI.
• Lead external communications throughout the project lifecycle, including media engagement, newsletter management, publication dissemination, and event coverage.
• Ensure full compliance with EU visibility obligations, including mandatory disclaimers, pre-clearance processes, and audio-visual requirements.
• Provide regular communications reporting and analytics in line with the project logframe and donor requirements.
• Produce end-of-project visibility and impact documentation.

REPORTING LINE

The Communications Consultant reports directly to the Head of Programmes and Operations / the Senior Project Officer. All content that falls within Tier 3 of the governance framework - including content engaging with sensitive political dimensions of the peace process, press releases, and op-eds - requires sign-off from both the Head of Programmes and Operations and the CEO.

PERIOD

Approximately 55 to 65 days of direct consultancy input over 12 months with possibility to extend and flexibility built in as required. The exact allocation of days is to be agreed following review of the consultant's workplan and proposal.

FEES AND PAYMENT

• The daily rate will be agreed with the successful consultant based on experience and the proposed workplan. Applicants should include their expected rate in their submission.
• Paid upon completion of each agreed delivered phase and the agreed deliverables within.
• The consultant is responsible for all applicable tax and National Insurance contributions. The consultant shall maintain appropriate professional indemnity and public liability insurance for the duration of the engagement.
• Applicants should note that the total communications budget for this project includes a separate allocation for specialist sub-contractors (photography, video production, digital design, and professional translation). The consultant's day rate is therefore not the sum total of the communications spend.
• Proposals should clearly distinguish between direct consultancy days and estimated sub-contractor costs and should demonstrate that the proposed day allocation is sufficient to lead, coordinate, and oversee delivery of the full scope without absorbing work that specialist contractors will be commissioned to perform.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

Essential

• Demonstrable experience delivering strategic communications for international NGOs, peacebuilding organisations, or human rights bodies in politically sensitive or conflict-affected contexts.
• Strong experience with project communications, including funding visibility requirements, pre-clearance processes, and donor reporting obligations.
• Proven ability to design and operate within a structured content governance framework.
• Experience managing and briefing specialist sub-contractors (photographers, videographers, designers, translators).
• Proficiency in digital channel management across LinkedIn, Instagram, X/Twitter, and email marketing platforms (MailChimp or equivalent), including analytics and reporting.
• Excellent written English - clear, analytically rigorous, and capable of adapting register across platform types.
• Strong project management skills: the ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and manage multiple workstreams simultaneously.
• UK-based, with the right to work in the United Kingdom.

Desirable

• Experience covering or communicating around politically sensitive events in or comparable contexts.
• Experience producing communications content that is sensitive to the needs and representation of diverse communities, including minority groups and gender, in politically complex or conflict-affected contexts.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send your CV to operations,support@democraticprogress.org along with a proposal for this assignment that includes the following.

• A concise statement of how you meet the essential criteria, with reference to comparable projects.
• A proposed day allocation for each deliverable, clearly distinguishing direct consultancy days from sub-contractor costs.
• A sample or link to relevant communications work demonstrating experience in politically sensitive or conflict-affected contexts.
• Daily rate and availability.
• Please cite PCDN as the source of the posting in your application. 

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. DPI is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of background.

SAFEGUARDING

DPI is committed to the highest standards of safeguarding in all of its work. The successful consultant will be required to comply with DPI's safeguarding and protection policies for the duration of the engagement, including its policies on protection from sexual exploitation and abuse. DPI will conduct appropriate pre-engagement checks before the contract is issued.