I have more than 15 years experience with NGOs, non-profit organisations, and working in both local and international newsrooms. Below is a summary of some of my roles over the years. I have a proven track record of creating real-world impact through media strategy, advocacy, and training.
Selected Experience
Digital Consultant
– United Nations Human Rights
Advised on media strategy and advocacy across seven national campaigns.
Ran digital media strategies and campaigns for OHCHR’s UN Free & Equal.
Advised on long, medium, and short-term strategies for major human rights developments and events.
Outlined, ran, and maintained UN Free & Equal’s digital publication calendar.
Coordinated with technical experts on a range of issues to develop storytelling and media impact opportunities.
Ran asset creation and development for major international campaigns, both internally and with external design teams.
Head of Digital Communications – Clooney Foundation for Justice
Developed storytelling, multimedia content, and creative media techniques.
Ran media advocacy and strategy.
Overhauled CFJ’s website, including re-writing and re-framing content and leading the redesign with backend developers.
Wrote and implemented CFJ’s digital strategy, achieving major audience growth and tangible human rights impact.
Wrote manuals and ran media training sessions for all staff.
Researched and wrote risk assessments for field assignments.
Contributed to the development of CFJ’s digital security handbook.
Senior Media Manager
– Human Rights Watch
Developed and led Instagram Live discussions on the impact of COVID on human rights.
Helped develop research plans, media strategies, and campaigns for mutliple reports and projects.
Developed organisation-wide processes to improve communications workflow.
Established quantitative and qualitative media monitoring for the entire organisation.
Ran the press desk team covering multiple timezones.
Ran media strategy for the LGBTQ and children’s rights divisions.
Kept up-to-date with journalists, pitching work and offering training on reporting complex issues.
A Human Rights-Based Approach
A human rights-based approach to anything is guided by the principles of participation, non-discriminaiton, and accountability. It is an approach that has been applied to infrastructure, development, research, and many other parts of the non-profit world, so why not media and communications?
Taking a human rights-based approach to media, news, and communications means that a headline is never more important than the people behind it, and making sure that everything we do moves us closer to a world where a everyone can enjoy their fundamental human rights.
All decisions are founded in human rights.
In summary, any media strategy created by me will be based in human rights and will:
- Ensure any strategy implemented is designed to increase protection of and respect for people’s fundamental rights.
- Make sure people who are especially vulnerable to human rights violations are prioritised.
- Include informed consent, always.
- Put people over headlines.
Education
University of London, School of Advanced Studies
Master of Arts – Human Rights (Distinction)
Final thesis focused on the impact Dobbs had on press freedom in the United States.
Designed and implemented research strategy to tackle a previously under-explored issue.
Interviewed journalists and news gatherers from multiple states to assess impact on journalists.
Conducted quantitative and qualitative analysis on headlines and story content before and after ruling to assess impact on news coverage.
Feedback commended research techniques and unique approach to the issue.
Contact
Contact me via email: mailto:philippahstewart@gmail.com
