Senior Communications Consultant – German Media & Strategic Communications

<p><span style="color: #121317">ISD is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit organisation dedicated to safeguarding elections, freedom, national security, public safety and individual rights by reversing the rising global tide of polarisation, extremism, foreign interference and authoritarianism. Combining research and analysis with government advisory work and the design and delivery of training, education and communications programs, ISD works to implement real-world, evidence-based responses to these challenges.</span></p><p style=";"></p><p><strong><span style="color: #000000">Why work for ISD?</span></strong><span style="color: #000000"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #000000">ISD is not your ordinary think tank. We turn research into action that changes the world. Our insights don't gather dust on shelves - they power the fight to protect democracy and human rights on the front lines. We're committed to delivering real change, from the grassroots to the highest levels of global institutions. And we're looking for passionate individuals who share our commitment to making a difference. Join us and be part of an organisation that's making an impact. </span></p><p> <br /><span style="color: #000000">ISD's Guiding Principles of  </span><strong><span style="color: #000000">integrity, collaboration, agility</span></strong><span style="color: #000000"> and </span><strong><span style="color: #000000">courage  </span></strong><span style="color: #000000">define who we are as a team and an organisation. These principles reflect our culture and guide the way we work and the choices we make. </span></p><p style=";;"></p><p style=";"><strong><span style="color: #121317">Location</span></strong><span style="color: #121317"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #121317">Remote; occasional attendance at ISD’s Berlin office.</span></p><p style=";"></p><p style=";"><strong><span style="color: #000000">Contract type</span></strong><span style="color: #000000"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #121317">Consultancy agreement (self-employed). Fixed term, part-time.</span><span style=""> </span></p><p style=";"></p><p style=";"><strong><span style="color: #000000">Equality, Diversity and Inclusion</span></strong><span style="color: #000000"> </span></p><p style=";"><span style="color: #000000">ISD is committed to promoting diversity throughout its workforce and aims for its team to be truly representative of all sections of society. We make a concerted effort to ensure our workplace, employment policies and organisational culture creates an inclusive, positive and progressive environment in which all members of our team are treated with dignity and respect. For further information about this policy or our recruitment practices, please email ----- style=";"> <br /><span style="color: #000000">We strongly encourage applications from people of colour, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, carers, and people from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. </span></p><p style=";"></p><p><strong><span style="color: #121317">Consultancy Purpose </span></strong></p><p><span style="color: #121317">ISD Germany is seeking a senior communications consultant to lead proactive German-language media engagement and strategic communications at a pivotal moment for our work in Germany. Working closely with leadership and communications colleagues in Germany and elsewhere, the consultant will:</span></p><ul><li><p><span style="color: #121317">raise the profile of ISD’s research and analysis in the German-language media landscape (especially Austria and Germany), with increased European/EU exposure desirable</span></p></li><li><p><span style="color: #121317">position ISD as a trusted expert voice on violent extremism, information operations and authoritarian threats to democracy</span></p></li><li><p><span style="color: #121317">enhance existing internal systems to enable ISD to better respond and proactively drive media engagements</span></p></li><li><p><span style="color: #121317">provide communications expertise to ISD Germany’s fundraising efforts.</span></p></li></ul><p style=";"></p><p><span style="color: #121317">This is a flexible engagement suited to an experienced communications professional who follows the German news cycle closely and can act quickly and credibly within it.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #121317">To view full consultancy terms of reference, please click </span><a rel="noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.isdglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ISD_Germany_Senior_Comms_Consultant.pdf"><span style="color: #121317">here.</span></a> </p><br /><br /><p><strong><span style="color: #121317">Key responsibilities include:</span></strong><span style="color: #121317"> </span></p><p style=";"></p><p><strong><span style="color: #121317">Proactive German Media Outreach &amp; News Monitoring (approx. 40%)</span></strong><span style="color: #121317"> </span></p><ul><li><p><span style="color: #121317">Build and maintain relationships with German journalists, editors and producers across print, broadcast and online, proactively pitching ISD’s research, analysis and experts </span></p></li></ul><ul><li><p><span style="color: #121317">Monitor and interpret the German news cycle and political agenda daily, identifying timely opportunities for ISD to contribute expert commentary and respond at speed. </span></p></li></ul><ul><li><p><span style="color: #121317">Draft and place German-language press releases, statements, op-eds, comment lines and reactive media materials, translating complex research findings into accessible formats. </span></p></li></ul><ul><li><p><span style="color: #121317">Manage crisis and reactive communications in German when needed, including advising leadership, preparing key materials, supporting spokespeople, and mitigating reputational risks. </span></p></li></ul><ul><li><p><span style="color: #121317">Add to and maintain ISD’s database of media contacts on Monday.com. </span></p></li></ul><p><span style="color: #121317"> </span></p><p><strong><span style="color: #121317">German Strategic Communications (approx. 40%)</span></strong><span style="color: #121317"> </span></p><ul><li><p><span style="color: #121317">Develop and steer ISD Germany’s communications strategy, aligning German-language messaging with organisational priorities and campaigns. </span></p></li></ul><ul><li><p><span style="color: #121317">Provide senior strategic counsel to ISD Germany’s leadership and researchers on positioning, narrative and audience engagement in the German context. </span></p></li></ul><ul><li><p><span style="color: #121317">Shape and quality-assure German-language messaging, talking points and key communications products so they are accurate, accessible and on-brand. </span></p></li></ul><ul><li><p><span style="color: #121317">Support the development of donor-facing materials, proposals and reports in German and English, ensuring clarity and consistency of message. </span></p></li></ul><p><span style="color: #121317"> </span></p><p><strong><span style="color: #121317">Relationship &amp; Stakeholder Management (approx. 20%)</span></strong><span style="color: #121317"> </span></p><ul><li><p><span style="color: #121317">Cultivate long-term relationships with key journalists and editorial desks. </span></p></li></ul><ul><li><p><span style="color: #121317">Coordinate with partner organizations, civil society networks, and EU/national institutions to amplify reach. </span></p></li></ul><ul><li><p><span style="color: #121317">Conduct regular landscape analysis of how competitors and peer organizations are positioned in German-language media.</span><span style="font-size: 0.9em"><span style="color: #121317"> </span></span><span style=""> </span></p></li></ul><p><span style=""><br /></span><strong><span style="color: #000000">The ideal candidate</span></strong><span style="color: #000000"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #121317">The ideal candidate will be a native or fluent German speaker with excellent written and spoken English, a strong and up-to-date understanding of the German media landscape, political environment, and news agenda, and a working knowledge of ISD’s core issue areas, along with the ability to quickly build further subject-matter expertise.</span></p><p><span style=""> </span></p><p><span style="color: #000000">Please review our  </span><a rel="noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.isdglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ISD_Germany_Senior_Comms_Consultant.pdf"><span style="color: #000000">consultancy terms of reference</span></a><span style="color: #000000"> for essential criteria, and keep in mind that no candidate will meet every requirement in the advert. If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified, but you think you can bring value to the role, we'd love to hear from you. </span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"> </span></p><p><strong><span style="color: #121317">How to apply</span></strong></p><p><span style="color: #121317">Applications should be submitte<span style="background-color: #ffffff">d by </span></span><strong><span style="color: #121317"><span style="background-color: #ffffff">15th July 2026. </span></span></strong><span style="color: #121317"><span style="background-color: #ffffff">ISD</span> reserves the right to conduct interviews and make appointments prior to the stated deadline. Applications may be submitted in </span><strong><span style="color: #121317">English</span></strong><span style="color: #121317">.<br /></span> </p><p><span style="color: #121317">If you have any further questions about this vacancy or want to speak to a member of our recruitment team, please contact </span><a rel="noopener" target="_blank" ---------- style="color: #121317">.</span></p><p style=";"></p><p style=";"></p><p>Find more <a href="https://www.arbeitnow.com/english-speaking-jobs">English Speaking Jobs in Germany</a> on Arbeitnow</a>