Job Title: Senior Communications Officer 

Duration: 1 year

Gross Salary: RM5,000 – RM6,000 (open to negotiation depending on experience)

Core Responsibilities
Under the guidance of the Executive Director, the Senior Communications Officer will perform the following tasks and be responsible for:

1. Narrative Building and Strategic Communications
• Lead in developing the communication strategy and work plan, and coordinate its implementation in line with and to advance CIJ’s vision and mission.
• Contribute to shaping CIJ’s core narrative on freedom of expression and related strategic goals.
• Ensure CIJ’s messaging is consistent across different programmes and platforms.

2. Content Creation and Management
• Develop and strengthen CIJ’s digital communications strategies to improve public engagement and narrative reach.
• Convert complex ideas into compelling and engaging messaging that aligns with CIJ’s information dissemination, exchange and application strategy.
• Support updates and content development for CIJ’s website and social media platforms.
• Coordinate the production of advocacy materials such as reports, visuals, and videos.
• Promote communications and expand outreach through appropriate stakeholders and media channels, including social media platforms, messaging groups, newsletters, etc.
• Track analytics and create reports detailing successes and failures of communications initiatives and campaigns.
• Support basic reporting on communications performance and outcomes.

3. Media & Public Engagement
• Assist in building and maintaining relationships with media and other stakeholders.
• Identify the need for and lead the preparation of press statements and other media and communications intervention content and materials in a proactive and timely manner.
• Help identify opportunities to increase CIJ’s visibility in media and public discussions.

4. Communications Campaign Planning & Implementation
• Work with programme teams to develop communications materials and campaigns.
• Assist in planning and executing social media and outreach activities.

5. General Support & Representation
• Assist in organising and supporting events, campaigns, and public engagements.
• Support the development of escalation protocols and contribute to crisis
communication planning and response.
• Monitor and ensure documentation and archiving of media materials and intervention made by CIJ to ensure synergy between all programme documentations and facilitate assessment and strategizing.
• Coordinate with the technical support team to facilitate the maintenance and content update of the CIJ website.
• Represent CIJ at events when needed.
• Maintain awareness of developments related to freedom of expression in Malaysia.

Competencies:
• Strong understanding of narrative building, strategic communications, and media positioning.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex policy and legal issues into compelling public narratives.
• Deep knowledge of Malaysia’s freedom of expression landscape.
• Proven experience in media engagement and relationship management.
• Ability to work across teams to drive alignment and coherence in messaging.
• Strategic thinking with the ability to identify windows of opportunity for influence.
• Strong writing and editorial skills in English and Malay.
• Analytical mindset with experience in measuring communications impact.
• Adaptability and ability to operate in a fast-paced advocacy environment.
• Displays sensitivity and adaptability to cultural, gender, religious, ethnic, age and sexual orientation diversity.
• Displays behaviour that demonstrates honesty, transparency, accountability and kindness.

Qualifications:
• Years of experiences 3-5 years.
• University degree, or its equivalent, in communications, journalism, social/political sciences, law or other related fields.
• Previous experience in media or related work for a governmental institution or CSOs is desirable, including in managing and implementing specific projects;
• Strong knowledge of human rights, in particular freedom of expression and right to information;

Fluency in English and Malay (written and spoken); additional languages are an advantage;

Submission Guideline:
You are kindly requested to submit a cover letter and your curriculum vitae by email to cijmalaysia@cijmalaysia.net.

Deadline: 29 May 2026.

Interviews will be held on a rolling basis.
Please state the following in the title of your cover letter and email subject line:
APPLICATION AS SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
Only candidates who meet the qualifications and requirements for the role will be called for an interview.