Media and Communications Consultant

Media and Communications Consultant

Department: Communications

Location: Remote (Greenwich Mean Time or Central European Standard Time preferred)

Rate: The Consultant’s fee will be £30-50 per hour, depending on experience, skills, and location . Fees may be adjusted for consultants based in other locations to align with local market conditions and cost of living. This consultancy will run for three months, requiring approximately 40 hours per week, with the possibility of extension.

Submission Instructions: Please submit a letter of interest, résumé, and two professional references.

Submission Deadline: December 26, 2025

Please note that interviews will be conducted during the week of January 5, 2026

About CPJ:

Founded in 1981, the Committee to Protect Journalists (“CPJ”) is an independent, non-profit organization defending journalists worldwide without regard to their political ideology. Through its work to safeguard journalists, CPJ protects the rights of all people to have access to diverse and independent sources of information. For nearly four decades, CPJ has helped win the early release of imprisoned journalists, secure convictions in journalist murders, and enable positive legal reform in countries where the climate for free expression has deteriorated. Learn more about CPJ’s fight to defend freedom of the press here: http://cpj.org/

At CPJ, we are dedicated to upholding values of equity and free expression in both our internal operations and external endeavors. As an organization headquartered in the United States, we aspire to build a diverse workplace and foster an inclusive and welcoming environment. As an international organization, we strive for our people to be representative of the global community on which we report and to equip them with the opportunities and resources they need to learn and succeed.

CPJ is headquartered in New York City, but our team is truly global, with staff members and contributors based worldwide. This structure allows us to monitor and respond to press freedom threats in real-time, ensuring that journalists everywhere have the support they need.

Project Summary:

CPJ is seeking an experienced Media and Communications Consultant to support CPJ’s global communications team. This position is an integral part of the Communications Department and collaborates with programmatic teams across the organization to ensure that CPJ’s reporting, expertise, and advocacy goals achieve maximum visibility and reach. Extensive media relations experience, excellent news judgment, the ability to work independently and proactively, and a commitment to press freedom are essential to succeed in this role.

The engagement will run for three months, requiring approximately 40 hours per week, with the possibility of extension. The consultant will work under the direction of the Director of Communications, who will provide overall guidance on priorities and deliverables and will collaborate closely with other team members.

Project Scope:

The consultant will be expected to:

• Support CPJ’s global media relations including daily handling of CPJ’s press inbox, cultivating relationships with journalists, pitching op-eds, fielding media queries, and supporting media interviews.
• Draft, proofread, format, and distribute press materials; produce promotional materials and web content, and contribute to social media messaging.
• Monitor daily news and opinion from the sector and related areas to identify key opportunities for rapid response and detect potential reputational risks; recommend target groups, beats, or media communities where CPJ should increase engagement or outreach.
• Support the media component of report launches, missions, campaigns.
• Manage and maintain CPJ’s global media database, and coordinate with regional teams on the inclusion and organization of their contacts.
• Enhance and maintain a framework for tracking requests, pitches, and media interactions; produce analysis and project-specific reports.
• Analyze the data and make recommendations for the design and implementation of project, region, or initiative- specific communications strategies.

Qualifications:

• A deep interest in and commitment to press freedom
• At least 5 years experience working directly with journalists, including global media; good news judgment and political awareness
• A clear understanding of media relations, campaigning, and the role of strategic communications in advancing advocacy
• Impeccable writing and editing skills with proven ability to translate complex issues into succinct, accessible language for multiple audiences
• Strong project management skills, meticulous attention to detail, and demonstrated ability to set priorities and complete tasks promptly
• Comfortable working on tight deadlines with the ability to multitask and prioritize
• Independent yet collaborative approach; reliable team player adept at working with remote management and staff.
• A bachelor's or master’s degree in communications, journalism, international relations, or a related field or equivalent professional experience
• Non-profit experience with global scope working on policy-relevant issues
• Experience with platforms like Luminate, Mailchimp, and/or WordPress

Preferred:

• Experience supporting nonprofits, media, or advocacy organizations
• International experience and at least one additional language

Inclusion Statement:

CPJ welcomes proposals from consultants of all backgrounds and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or any other protected status.