Communications Specialist

The Citizen Foundation; Karachi Division; On-site; PKR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Communications Specialist will support The Citizen Foundation’s external communications, media relations, thought leadership and governance. It requires a proactive professional who can identify stories, build relationships with media, and translate strategy into clear narratives.

Working closely with the General Manager Communications, you will develop plans, manage agencies, and ensure timely, accurate messaging across channels while upholding the organization’s voice and values.

Qualifications

• Background in journalism, media relations or corporate communications.
• Strong writing with ability to translate strategy into clear narratives.
• Proactive, persistent and able to manage multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships with journalists and media platforms.
• Identify stories and research findings with media potential.
• Develop and pitch story ideas to media contacts.
• Coordinate interviews, press briefings and media visits.
• Prepare press releases, briefs, talking points and background notes.
• Maintain media database; track pitches, responses and coverage.
• Support media engagement during sensitive issues and reputational risks.
• Develop external comms plans; translate strategy into public narratives.
• Coordinate with internal teams to gather information and approvals.
• Turn research into clear external comms and institutional stories.
• Support thought leadership by drafting opinions and speeches.

Skills

Journalism

Media relations

Corporate communications

Writing

Storytelling

Job description

The Communications Specialist will support TCF’s external communications, media relations, thought leadership and communication governance. The role requires a confident and proactive communications professional who can identify strong stories, build relationships, manage agencies and move work forward across teams. The person will work closely with the General Manager Communications to translate TCF’s strategy, research, programmes and institutional priorities into clear internal and public communication. This role is suited to someone with a background in journalism, media relations, corporate communications, who combines strong writing with persistence, sound judgment and excellent follow through.

Key Responsibilities

Media Relations

• Build and maintain relationships with journalists, editors, producers, columnists and relevant media platforms.
• Identify TCF stories, research findings, institutional developments and leadership perspectives with media potential.
• Develop and pitch story ideas to relevant media contacts.
• Coordinate interviews, press briefings, media visits and public announcements.
• Prepare press releases, media briefs, talking points, question and answer documents and background notes.
• Maintain an updated media database and track pitches, responses, coverage and relationships.
• Support media engagement during sensitive issues and emerging reputational risks.

External Communications

• Support the development and execution of TCF’s external communications priorities.
• Develop communication plans for research launches, partnerships, institutional announcements, events and campaigns.
• Translate organisational strategy, programme work and research into clear public narratives.
• Coordinate with internal teams to gather information, secure approvals and meet communication timelines.
• Ensure that external communication remains accurate, consistent and aligned with TCF’s institutional voice.

Storytelling and Editorial Development

• Identify strong stories across TCF schools, communities, programmes, alumni and partnerships.
• Conduct interviews with students, alumni, teachers, principals, employees and partners.
• Develop articles, case studies, scripts, profiles, digital stories and institutional content.
• Turn technical information, data and research into clear and accessible communication.
• Ensure stories are developed with accuracy, dignity and respect for the people represented.

Thought Leadership

• Support the development of thought leadership priorities for TCF
• Research relevant conversations in education, development, public policy and social impact.
• Draft opinion pieces, speeches, talking points, leadership posts and public commentary.
• Identify relevant publications, conferences, podcasts, panels and platforms for TCF leaders.
• Maintain a structured pipeline of leadership content and external engagement opportunities.
• Manage content pipelines and cadence

Agency and Partner Management

• Coordinate with public relations, content, production, design and communication agencies.
• Develop clear briefs, timelines, deliverables and review processes.
• Track deadlines and ensure agencies receive timely information and feedback.
• Follow up consistently to resolve delays and maintain quality.
• Consolidate internal feedback and communicate clear direction to external partners.
• Flag risks, delays and quality concerns early.

Communications Governance

• Support the development of communication protocols, approval processes, templates and editorial standards.
• Maintain communication trackers, editorial calendars and approval records.
• Coordinate with communication points of contact across programmes, functions and regions.
• Help ensure consistency in institutional facts, language, messages and positioning.
• Support the development of crisis communication processes and media response protocols.

Digital Communications

• Support content planning for TCF’s website, social platforms and institutional digital channels.
• Adapt stories, research and leadership content for different digital formats.
• Work with internal teams and external partners to maintain a regular content pipeline.
• Review content performance and recommend improvements in subject, format and distribution.