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.

• Strong writing and editorial judgment.
• Confidence in approaching journalists, senior leaders and external stakeholders.
• Persistence and disciplined follow through.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and open actions.
• Ability to identify what makes a story relevant and credible.
• Strong coordination and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work across teams without formal authority.
• Calmness and judgment during sensitive situations.
• Ability to understand complex information and communicate it simply.
• Willingness to challenge unclear briefs, weak ideas and missed deadlines constructively.

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, media studies, mass communication, social sciences or a related field.
• Three to five years of experience in journalism, media relations, public relations, corporate communications or external communications.
• Demonstrated experience in writing stories, conducting interviews and developing media content.
• Experience pitching stories to journalists or securing media coverage.
• Experience coordinating with agencies, vendors or production partners.
• Strong writing and editing skills in English.
• Strong writing and editing skills in Urdu and confidence engaging with Urdu language media.
• Experience in education, development, public policy or the nonprofit sector would be an advantage.