Scientific Writer

Founded in 1984, APCO Worldwide is an award-winning, independently owned global communication and business strategy firm with offices in major cities throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. APCO combines a global perspective with local expertise to help clients around the world manage challenges, opportunities, perceptions and reputations. APCO clients include corporations and governments; industry associations and nonprofit organizations; and many of the top companies on the Fortune 500. The firm is a majority women-owned business

Job Purpose: To assist in the management a profitable account, help develop competitive advantage, build an effective relationship with client and agency personnel. This includes the ability to make significant contribution to the strategic direction of the client’s communication plans and press releases, among others.

To be a key liaison between APCO Worldwide and the client, and the main communications representative for entities in the Platforms & Systems and Electronic Warfare & Intelligence cluster

Principal Accountabilities / Key Result Areas:
Client & Media Management:

- Maintain and grow existing client relationship through full communications support for entities within the Platforms & Systems and Electronic Warfare & Cyber Technologies clusters
- To provide back-up support for other cluster leads whenever necessary
- Develop complete communications plans and strategies for the client and all its entities
- Partner with client and communication entities through the Media Engagement Lead
- Develop and cultivate relationships with the client and relevant external audiences
- Schedule bi-weekly meetings with the client for regular updates on new products, partnerships, targets markets
- Send weekly status reports to update on the progress of projects and activities
- Create and regularly update the stakeholder mapping grid
- Provide recommendations to client in a proactive manner, to maximise communications efforts and anticipate issues in order to achieve business results
- Recommend and implement initiatives that manage the target audience’s perception of the client, including full and pro-active support for product communications, in full alignment with the client
- Cultivate positive client presence in the trade media through news releases, contact and response to inquiries and request when and where appropriate
- Oversee all aspects of major events for the client
- Arrange and execute media visits and demonstrations
- Oversee day-to-day client projects and/or events to ensure that the quality of work meets client’s business objective and provides value
- Maintain a clear and consistent communication between the client and APCO Worldwide for the areas managed
- Budget programmes and understand the financial aspects of the client relationship
- Manage client administration duties such as billing and financial reporting. This includes preparing cost estimates and getting the client’s approval

Business Development:

- Research and assist market studies in order to present new business proposals
- Help increase revenue flow between client and agency

Team Management:

- Assist in the review materials, e.g. news releases, backgrounders, fact sheets, bios, newsletters and pitch letters, prepared by team members, wherever necessary
- Create relevant content from the assigned business areas for Social Media amplification

Communication Support:

- Handle special media requirements and enquiries
- To collect and curate content for the monthly newsletter
- Develop materials on complex issues, e.g., Q&A, Op-Eds, speeches and collateral materials
- Carry out other related tasks as when required

Experience and Competencies:

- A bachelor’s degree, preferably in Arts, Communications, and/or Business Administration
- Strong PC skills MS Word, Excel, Power Point are essential
- A minimum of 4-5 years experience in fields of journalism, public relations, communication and/or related industry such as aviation aerospace, defence, technology, IT/Telecom, finance or public affairs
- Good team player
- Ability to understand team dynamics and how to use them to increase effectiveness;
- Ability to stimulate others to work together effectively; to create symbols of group identity, pride, and trust which represent team effort
- Ability to understand the client’s business issues, and to be able to formulate and implement appropriate solutions
- Strong oral and written communication skills in English
- Knowledge of Arabic is an advantage

About APCO Worlwide in MENA

Home to some of the fastest growing economies in the world, the Middle East and North Africa region has a pivotal role to play in driving global conversations - from environmental policies to religion and pop culture. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are clear leaders in this equation, although the wave of innovation continues to transcend borders.

APCO launched its regional operations in 2006 in Dubai.