Public Relations Officer (Netherlands, Belgium, France)

About the Rainforest Alliance

The Rainforest Alliance is an international non-profit organization with a mission to drive positive change in global supply chains and protect critically important natural landscapes. Our alliance spans 58 countries and includes farmers, forest communities, companies, governments, civil society, and individuals. Together, we focus on protecting forests, and biodiversity, and taking climate action, while also improving the livelihoods of rural people. To accomplish meaningful change at the required speed and scale, the Rainforest Alliance employs a multifaceted approach, which includes certification, integrated landscape management, and advocacy.

The Rainforest Alliance encourages diversity and inclusion across the global organization. With this commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, ages, disability, and any other protected group.

Your role:

The Rainforest Alliance is seeking a resourceful and results-oriented Public Relations Officer to join our global Marketing & Communications Department. This role focuses on promoting and protecting our reputation, expanding visibility, amplifying thought leadership, and strengthening positioning through earned media relations in the Netherlands, Belgium, and France.

What you’ll be doing:

• Develop and implement a robust media relations strategy, focusing on the Netherlands as a primary market, while also strategically expanding our media presence in France. Take the lead in media efforts related to EU/Brussels advocacy.

• Generate ideas for pitches, media advisories, opinion pieces, briefings and other media materials. Skillfully draft, edit, proof-read, and deliver these materials to effectively engage with the media

• Actively respond to and handle media inquiries, including a rapid response function. Ensure timely and appropriate follow-up, sometimes on short deadlines, including facilitating interviews with Rainforest Alliance representatives and providing them with necessary preparation

• Monitor and track media mentions; keeping relevant staff informed about how the organization is being covered in the news. Proactively propose reactions or comments.

• Establish and cultivate strong relationships with key journalists and media outreach in The Netherlands, Belgium, and France, anticipating on and responding to PR opportunities that arise

• Identify and secure speaking opportunities for Rainforest Alliance spokespeople at key thought leadership events. Prepare them to effectively communicate the organization’s key messages.

• Provide input on the development of the global media strategy and plan. Closely collaborate with other Media Relations Officers and the Media Relations Manager to ensure its successful implementation and execution

• Occasionally assist the Media Relations Manager in handling media inquiries from other European countries, as well as pursuing media outreach in those countries

• Support the Corporate Reputation & Issue Management team by actively mitigating and addressing potential reputational risks involving the media.

What we’re looking for:

• Demonstrated experience in journalism, or public relations and media outreach, either as a journalist or working closely with journalists

• A bachelor’s degree in journalism, public relations, communications or related field is preferred.

• Established media connections in the Netherlands and/or France and/or Brussels are desirable

• A dedicated writer with a keen eye for captivating stories and strong writing skills

• A creative and strategic problem solver who pays great attention to detail

• Good interpersonal communication skills and the ability to connect with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds

• A strong interest and some experience in social and environmental issues and sustainability

• A self-motivated individual who takes initiative and energetically pursues media leads

• The ability to work independently within a global team, with line manager based in Amsterdam

• Fluency in Dutch is required, and a solid understanding of French advantageous

Job Level: 4

Salary: Commensurate with experience. 

Deadline:  September 30, 2023 

Notes: Only candidates authorized to work in the Netherlands, France or Belgium will be considered

If you have any questions about the job vacancy, please contact the HR department: recruitment@ra.org