This job vacancy is only available to internal applicants of Save the Children International. Unfortunately, external candidates will not be considered for this opportunity. Please check our job listings page for other vacancies that are open to external applicants.
Job Title: Story Gathering Lead
Team: Comms
Reports To: Head of Brand and Creative Content
Contract Length: Fixed Term Contract (12 months maternity cover)
Grade: M3
Location: Any approved Save the Children International office location.
Time Zone (that the role holder must be available to work in): GMT+/-3
Right to Work: The successful candidate must possess the unrestricted right to work in their current or preferred location for the duration of employment.
Language Requirements: Any
International Travel Requirements: Yes, up to 15%
Budget Responsibility: None
People Management Responsibility:
Number of people managed in total: 3
Manager of a team: Yes
Team and Job Purpose
To harness the power of brand, creative content, digital marketing, and integrated planning and strategy to expand our reach, increase revenue, and enhance our reputation. Working collaboratively with the global movement, the Global Engagement Team blends art and science to turn insights into action, designing audience-centric strategies, stories and campaigns that connect and inspire, driving lasting impact for children. By engaging more people in our cause and challenging not-for-profit conventions, we develop innovative content marketing and leverage digital technologies to stand out and stay relevant, ensuring the support children need for the future.
Role purpose
This is a very high-paced, senior role that requires an experienced content producer, relationship manager and project lead. You will be leading a team of experienced senior producers and will ensure best in practice content delivery, from writing clear briefs to producing on-shoot, editing all content, through to safeguarding checks and sign off. You must be an experienced video editor and comfortable managing all stages of the production process, along with having a strategic mindset and ability to multitask, build relationships, and juggle multiple projects.
To lead the strategic gathering and production of compelling and authentic content, enabling the development of engaging campaigns, stories and materials in line with Save the Children’s Global Engagement Framework. This role ensures the supply of high-quality, audience-centric raw content by collaborating closely with Country Offices and leading on best-practice safeguarding and ethics. By fostering locally-led content gathering initiatives, the role amplifies the impact of our income and influencing, enhancing our reach and engagement globally.
Principal Accountabilities
- Lead the strategic gathering, prioritisation, production and processing of high-quality raw content, ensuring alignment with Save the Children’s Global Engagement Framework, content strategy and brand voice to create impactful stories and materials that inspire diverse global audiences, especially for fundraising.
- As lead contact, collaborate closely with Country Offices, nurturing close working relationships with Country teams and Communications Specialists in the Region Communications team to foster and plan locally-led content gathering initiatives where possible, ensuring we lead on best-practice safeguarding and ethics.
- Manage and support the Story Gathering Unit, planning the yearly content gathering calendar, assigning tasks and projects to team members and freelancers, and responding to humanitarian emergencies to ensure the organisation is supported with first-to-market, impactful and ethical content.
- Partner with the Global Storytelling Lead to stay informed on multiple projects, ensuring the content needs of different markets are met in an integrated manner across the organisation.
- Is experienced and confident in all steps of the production process and able to support the wider team, processing and creating content swiftly when necessary.
- Promote and ensure inclusive content practices, valuing diversity and fostering cultural competency across all content initiatives in alignment with Save the Children's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Experience and Skills
Essential
Skills
1.Strategic Content Management
Proficient experience in strategic planning and content management, aligning with a global engagement framework and content strategy.
2. Content Production
In-depth knowledge of gathering content in projects in different regions to the various steps of processing, safeguarding and securing content sign-off, plus strong experience of developing content into assets for targeted audiences for fundraising/campaigning purposes.
3. Leadership
Proven leadership skills, including the ability to mentor, manage, and support a team effectively, as well as lead by example, fostering a culture of accountability and mutual respect.
4. Collaboration and Relationship Building
Experience in building and maintaining effective relationships with Country Offices, communications specialists, and other stakeholders.
5. Cultural Competency and Inclusion
Deep understanding and practice of cultural competency, ensuring that content gathering practices champion diversity and inclusion. Commitment to creating and upholding inclusive content practices and fostering an environment that values diversity and promotes equity.
6. Ethical Standards and Safeguarding
Knowledge of ethical content gathering practices, including safeguarding and the ability to manage sensitive information responsibly. Strong commitment to ethical storytelling, ensuring that all content produced aligns with the values and guidelines of Save the Children International, including those concerning sexual orientation and gender identity.
7. Adaptability and Crisis Management
Agility in Emergencies: Demonstrates the ability to swiftly adapt and create content during major humanitarian emergencies, ensuring prompt and effective communication to relevant stakeholders, maintaining high performance even under pressure.
8. Project Coordination and Multi-tasking
Skilled in coordinating multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring all content needs are met across different markets in an integrated manner, plus proficiency in task management tools and methodologies that facilitate efficient project execution and team coordination.
9. Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and effectively.
Desirable
1. Creative and Impactful Storytelling
Demonstrated creativity in developing compelling stories and materials that inspire and resonate with diverse global audiences. Ability to ensure the content supports fundraising initiatives effectively while aligning with the brand voice.
2. Knowledge of Global Trends and Technologies
Familiarity with the latest trends in global storytelling and digital content creation. Proficient use of content creation software, platforms, and other digital tools that enhance content quality and engagement.
3. Extensive involvement in projects that require high adaptability, especially in high-stakes or emergency contexts.
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Adobe: Premiere Pro, Indesign, Photoshop, Lightroom
- Canva
- Digital Asset Management experience
- Excellent level of English with courses in or examples of copywriting; other languages beneficial
Competencies
Cluster: Leading
Competency: Leading and inspiring others
Level: Leading Edge
Behavioural Indicator: Inspires people to reach the highest standards of performance and to feel a sense of pride in belonging to the organisation.
Cluster: Leading
Competency: Delivering results
Level: Leading Edge
Behavioural Indicator: Pursues opportunities managing risks and uncertainty to enable the organisation to deliver more for children.
Cluster: Thinking
Competency: Problem solving and decision making
Level: Leading Edge
Behavioural Indicator: Explores and analyses external trends and their potential impact on strategic choices.
Cluster: Thinking
Competency: Innovating and adapting
Level: Leading Edge
Behavioural Indicator: Drives innovation and breakthrough solutions to improve outcomes for children.
Cluster: Engaging
Competency: Networking
Level: Leading Edge
Behavioural Indicator: Aligns and builds networks and alliances to reflect global shifts and opportunities.
Cluster: Engaging
Competency: Communicating with impact
Level: Leading Edge
Behavioural Indicator: Delivers influential advice and briefings to internal and external audiences to build the call for action.