Public Affairs and Media Relations Officer

Placements24; Durban; Sur place; ZAR 600 000 - 900 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Annual bonus

Comprehensive medical aid plan

Pension fund with employer contrib.

Generous paid time off

Company vehicle or travel allowance

Résumé du poste

Placements24 is seeking a Public Affairs and Media Relations Officer based in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. You will manage relationships with government and media, craft narratives, respond to inquiries, and disseminate information timely.

The role requires strategic thinking, strong policy understanding, and ability to engage diverse stakeholders; you will organize press events and advise management on public perception and policy impacts. Durban-based with potential travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Administration, Communications, Journalism or related field.
• Minimum 6 years in public affairs, media relations, or government relations.
• Proven media relations and public perception management.
• Strong understanding of government processes and policy environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with persuasive writing.
• Ability to engage diverse stakeholders and build trust.

Responsabilités

• Develop and implement public affairs strategies.
• Serve as primary media contact and respond to press inquiries.
• Draft and distribute press releases and statements.
• Cultivate relationships with local, regional, and national media.
• Monitor media coverage and public sentiment.
• Organise press conferences, media briefings, and interviews.
• Advise management on public perception and policy impacts.
• Engage with government officials and community leaders.
• Support CSR initiatives.
• Analyse policy developments and implications.

Connaissances

Public affairs

Media relations

Policy understanding

Persuasive writing

Formation

Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Public Administration, Communications, or Journalism

Outils

Media monitoring tools

Description du poste

About the Role

Our client, a significant entity within the Media & PR sector, is seeking a dedicated Public Affairs and Media Relations Officer to be based in **Durban, KwaZulu-Natal**. This role is integral to managing the organisation's relationship with the public, government bodies, and the media. The successful candidate will be responsible for crafting compelling narratives, responding to media inquiries, and ensuring accurate and timely dissemination of information. We are looking for a strategic thinker with a strong understanding of public policy and media landscapes, capable of building and maintaining positive stakeholder relationships. The position requires someone who can effectively navigate complex communication challenges and advocate for the organisation's interests in **Durban** and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement public affairs strategies to support organisational objectives.
• Serve as a primary media contact, responding to all press inquiries and requests.
• Draft and distribute press releases, statements, and other media materials.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with local, regional, and national media representatives.
• Monitor media coverage and public sentiment related to the organisation and its industry.
• Organise press conferences, media briefings, and interviews.
• Advise management on public perception and potential policy impacts.
• Facilitate dialogue and engagement with government officials and community leaders.
• Support the development of corporate social responsibility initiatives.
• Analyse policy developments and their potential implications for the organisation.
• Ensure compliance with relevant media and public communication regulations.
• Assist in crisis communication planning and execution.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Public Administration, Communications, Journalism, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in public affairs, media relations, or government relations.
• Demonstrated experience in managing media relations and public perception.
• Strong understanding of government processes and policy environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a talent for persuasive writing.
• Proven ability to build rapport and foster trust with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in organising public events and briefings.
• Proficiency in media monitoring and analysis.
• Strong networking and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage sensitive information.
• Commitment to ethical conduct and professional integrity.
• Must reside in or be willing to relocate to **Durban, KwaZulu-Natal**.

Benefits

• Attractive annual salary commensurate with experience.
• Annual bonus based on performance.
• Comprehensive medical aid plan.
• Pension fund with employer contributions.
• Generous paid time off.
• Professional development allowances and training opportunities.
• Engaging work on impactful public initiatives.
• A stable and supportive work environment in **Durban**.
• Opportunities for career growth within the organisation.
• Company vehicle or travel allowance.