Communications Assistant (m/f/d)

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Communications Assistant (m/f/d)

🔹 Company: European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR)

🔹 Location: Berlin, Germany

🔹 Job Type: Full-time

🔹 Category: Non-profit Organizations

🔹 Date Posted: May 19, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site (with hybrid work opportunities)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Strategic planning and execution of ECFR’s high-impact campaigns and communication projects
• Media engagement and press office operations, including handling interview requests and tracking media coverage
• Social media management and content publishing on ECFR platforms
• Collaboration on multimedia production, such as podcasts and videos
• Administrative coordination and support for overall ECFR organizational priorities

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong sense of initiative and the ability to contribute across multiple areas, with a focus on driving ECFR’s communication efforts and supporting its mission.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Contribute to the strategic planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of ECFR’s high-impact campaigns and communication projects

✅ Engage with team members to deliver robust and effective media communications and press outreach

✅ Manage press office tasks, including handling interview requests, tracking media coverage, maintaining the press contact database, and preparing outreach and impact reports

✅ Operate ECFR’s social media channels by promoting research, multimedia content, events, and job opportunities with a dynamic and analytical approach

✅ Publish commentaries and research outputs on ECFR platforms, ensuring visual and editorial quality

✅ Develop and distribute ECFR’s general newsletter, drafting compelling editorial content and coordinating with internal and external stakeholders

✅ Collaborate on the production of multimedia materials, including podcasts and videos, liaising with internal experts and external contributors

✅ Ensure ECFR’s media stakeholder database is accurate, well-maintained, and supports strategic outreach

✅ Provide administrative coordination as required, including taking clear and action-oriented notes during meetings, overseeing expense tracking, streamlining internal communications, and improving access to core resources (i.e., Intranet)

✅ Additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed to support overall ECFR organizational priorities

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a wide range of responsibilities, requiring the incumbent to be proactive, adaptable, and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher in communications, media studies, international relations, or a related discipline.

Experience: Demonstrated success in campaign planning, media engagement, and social media operations. Previous hands-on experience in communications, journalism, or public affairs is desirable.

Required Skills:

• Excellent writing and editing skills, highly skilled in drafting press releases, media notes, editorial content, and social media copy
• Proficiency in design software (e.g., Canva, Adobe InDesign, Photoshop) and experience with short-form video/audio editing is strongly preferred
• Fluent English (with excellent editing and proofreading skills)
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and constructively in a team
• Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple projects, and meet tight deadlines
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, comfortable engaging with stakeholders, partners, and media
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multinational, cross-functional team
• A strategic mindset with attention to detail and a proactive, solution-oriented approach
• Flexibility and adaptability to evolving project needs and priorities

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working in a think tank or non-profit organization
• Fluency in additional languages
• Knowledge of the European political landscape

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong academic background in a relevant field and proven experience in communications, with a focus on campaign planning and media engagement.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: 36,000 EUR/year (full-time equivalent)

Benefits:

• 30 days of holiday/year
• Convenience of an office location in the heart of Berlin
• Stimulating work environment at an innovative, pan-European think tank with partly hybrid work opportunities
• Opportunity to collaborate with highly motivated and committed colleagues from diverse backgrounds across Europe
• Open and appreciative work culture where employee achievements are valued and recognized
• Exciting and fast-moving environment at an innovative and renowned pan-European think tank which is at the forefront of cutting-edge research and policy development, shaping the future of European foreign policy

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week) with flexible working hours and hybrid work opportunities

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on the information given in the job listing and is an estimate for a full-time position. Benefits may vary and are subject to confirmation with the employer.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Non-profit Organizations, specifically focused on European foreign policy and international relations

Company Size: 51-200 employees, providing a mid-sized organization structure with opportunities for collaboration and growth

Founded: 2007, with a 17-year history of conducting cutting-edge independent research and promoting informed debate about Europe’s role in the world

Company Description:

• ECFR is an award-winning international think-tank that aims to conduct cutting-edge independent research on European foreign and security policy and to provide a safe meeting space for decision-makers, activists, and influencers to share ideas
• ECFR builds coalitions for change at the European level and promotes informed debate about Europe’s role in the world
• ECFR remains uniquely placed to continue providing a pan-European perspective on some of the biggest strategic challenges and choices Europeans need to confront, with a network of offices in seven European capitals, over 60 staff from more than 25 different countries, and a team of associated researchers in the EU 28 member states

Company Specialties:

• European foreign policy
• Europe and EU
• Politics
• Analysis
• Foreign policy
• International relations
• And think tank

Company Website: ecfr.eu

ASSUMPTION: ECFR is a well-established organization with a strong reputation in its field, offering applicants the opportunity to work in a dynamic and influential environment.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level, with opportunities for growth and development within the organization

Reporting Structure: This role reports to the Communications Director and works closely with various teams across ECFR’s offices in Europe

Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with a combination of on-site and remote work, allowing for flexibility while maintaining productivity and collaboration

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential for career progression within ECFR’s communications department or other departments, such as research or policy
• Opportunities to work on high-impact campaigns and projects, gaining valuable experience and exposure
• Chance to collaborate with and learn from highly motivated and committed colleagues from diverse backgrounds across Europe

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity for candidates to grow both personally and professionally, working in a dynamic and influential environment.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: ECFR’s headquarters is located in the heart of Berlin, with additional offices in Paris, London, Warsaw, Sofia, Rome, and Madrid

Office Location(s): Unter der Linden 17, Berlin, Germany (with additional offices in other European capitals)

Geographic Context:

• Berlin is a vibrant and multicultural city, offering a high quality of life and numerous cultural attractions
• ECFR’s offices are located in central areas of each city, providing easy access to public transportation and amenities
• The organization’s pan-European presence allows for collaboration and networking opportunities with colleagues and partners across the continent

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week) with flexible working hours and hybrid work opportunities, allowing for a balance between on-site collaboration and remote work

ASSUMPTION: ECFR’s offices provide a stimulating and collaborative work environment, with opportunities for growth and development in a dynamic and influential organization.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission through the provided link
• Initial screening and phone/online interview with the HR department
• In-depth interview with the Communications Director and relevant team members
• Final decision and offer

Key Assessment Areas:

• Communication skills and ability to engage with stakeholders, partners, and media
• Writing and editing skills, with a focus on drafting press releases, media notes, editorial content, and social media copy
• Proven experience in campaign planning, media engagement, and social media operations
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Cultural fit and alignment with ECFR’s mission and values

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this specific role
• Demonstrate your understanding of ECFR’s mission and values, and explain how your background and skills make you a strong fit for the organization
• Prepare examples of your writing and editing work, as well as any multimedia content or campaigns you have contributed to in the past
• Be ready to discuss your approach to campaign planning, media engagement, and social media operations, as well as your ability to work effectively under pressure and manage multiple projects simultaneously

ATS Keywords: Campaign planning, media engagement, social media operations, writing, editing, design software, video editing, interpersonal skills, communication skills, project management, strategic mindset, attention to detail, flexibility, adaptability

ASSUMPTION: ECFR’s application process is designed to assess candidates’ skills and cultural fit, with a focus on their ability to contribute to the organization’s mission and values.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Design software (e.g., Canva, Adobe InDesign, Photoshop)
• Short-form video/audio editing tools (e.g., iMovie, Adobe Premiere Pro, Audacity)
• Social media management platforms (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer, Sprout Social)
• Content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Drupal, Joomla)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)

ASSUMPTION: ECFR uses a range of tools and technologies to support its communications efforts, with a focus on design, multimedia production, and project management.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Independence and impartiality
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Innovation and adaptability
• Excellence and professionalism
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion

Work Style:

• Dynamic and fast-paced environment
• Focus on strategic planning and execution
• Collaborative and cross-functional teams
• Opportunities for growth and development
• Hybrid work arrangement, balancing on-site collaboration and remote work

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you share ECFR’s commitment to independence and impartiality in your work?
• Are you comfortable working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, managing multiple projects simultaneously?
• Do you thrive in a collaborative and cross-functional team setting, with a focus on strategic planning and execution?
• Are you open to learning and growing in a diverse and inclusive work environment?

ASSUMPTION: ECFR values candidates who are aligned with its mission and values, with a strong commitment to independence, impartiality, collaboration, innovation, excellence, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously, requiring strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize effectively
• Working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, with evolving project needs and priorities
• Balancing on-site collaboration and remote work, requiring strong communication and time management skills
• Adapting to a multinational, cross-functional team setting, with colleagues from diverse backgrounds across Europe

ASSUMPTION: ECFR’s hybrid work arrangement and multinational team structure may present unique challenges for candidates, requiring strong communication, organizational, and adaptability skills.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Compared to other communications roles, this position places a greater emphasis on campaign planning, media engagement, and social media operations, with a focus on driving ECFR’s communication efforts and supporting its mission
• ECFR’s pan-European presence and focus on European foreign policy and international relations set it apart from other think tanks and non-profit organizations, offering unique opportunities for collaboration and growth
• Career progression within ECFR may involve transitioning to other departments, such as research or policy, providing opportunities for professional development and growth

ASSUMPTION: ECFR’s unique focus on European foreign policy and international relations, as well as its pan-European presence, sets it apart from other think tanks and non-profit organizations, offering candidates a unique opportunity to work in a dynamic and influential environment.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a high-impact campaign to raise awareness of ECFR’s research and policy initiatives, with a focus on engaging key stakeholders and influencers
• Managing ECFR’s social media channels, creating and curating content that promotes the organization’s mission and values, and driving engagement and growth
• Collaborating with internal experts and external contributors to produce multimedia materials, such as podcasts and videos, showcasing ECFR’s research and policy work

ASSUMPTION: ECFR’s communications efforts involve a wide range of projects, from high-impact campaigns to multimedia production, offering candidates the opportunity to work on diverse and challenging initiatives.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the typical workflow and priorities for this role, and how they may evolve over time?
• How does ECFR support the professional development and growth of its employees, particularly in the communications department?
• Can you provide examples of successful campaigns and initiatives led by the communications team, and how they have contributed to ECFR’s mission?
• How does ECFR’s hybrid work arrangement balance on-site collaboration and remote work, and what tools and technologies are used to support this?
• What are the key challenges and opportunities facing ECFR in the coming years, and how does this role contribute to addressing them?

ASSUMPTION: ECFR values candidates who are proactive and curious, with a strong interest in the organization’s mission and values, and a desire to contribute to its success.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the following link: https://ecfr.jobs.personio.com/job/1692034
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this specific role, demonstrating your understanding of ECFR’s mission and values
• Prepare examples of your writing and editing work, as well as any multimedia content or campaigns you have contributed to in the past
• Be ready to discuss your approach to campaign planning, media engagement, and social media operations, as well as your ability to work effectively under pressure and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Follow up with the HR department one week after the application deadline, inquiring about the status of your application if you have not heard back

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.