openDemocracy is an independent global media organisation. Through reporting and analysis of social and political issues, they seek to educate citizens to challenge power and encourage democratic debate across the world. The types of roles they hire for are varied as they span organisational as well global media expertise, both in the UK and globally.
As trusted partner who have supported across full consultancy services previously, Prospectus were approached by openDemocracy to support them across their full recruitment needs, providing a blended service of full consultancy or shortlisting as and when required. Two examples of shortlisting are below.
– Head of Advocacy and Impact – openDemocracy’s team was growing and they required a leader to deliver a step-change in the overall impact of openDemocracy’s major investigations and stories, as well as growing openDemocracy’s brand. They would spearhead impact strategy development and work closely with multiple teams, managing internal learning, training, and impact planning. The role required an expert from within the journalistic ecosystem, so we offered a bespoke shortlisting product that leveraged our advertisement and networks, including proactively engaging passive candidates on LinkedIn and introducing the role without stewarding. This produced a strong range of diverse candidates of circa 40 that we shortlisted to 15 for openDemocracy to engage further.
– Administrative Assistant – the response to openDemocracy’s own advertisement was significant and produced a challenge to ensure the candidates were reviewed in time and selected appropriately. Prospectus augmented the HR team and provided an initial shortlisting service which focused the applications towards a more manageable number, allowing the HR team to spend their time more effectively. From an initial pool of approximately 70 candidates, Prospectus shortlisted circa 10 candidates matching the skills closest for the requirement. The shortlist included candidates with a varied background in the media, charity, and other industries.
Following two successful recruitment campaigns, openDemocracy have now recruited to all of these positions with the quality of employer brand and expert engagement desired.
These were compelling and vibrant recruitment processes. The Head of Advocacy and Impact campaign had a clear requirement for specialist expertise and an aspiration for a diverse candidate shortlist with people striving to help defend democracy worldwide. The Administrative Assistant post required shortlisting the best candidates who could demonstrate a proactive attitude for multitasking as well as the capability to support the team administratively. For both campaigns, the Prospectus Recruitment Team carefully explored the best talent across multiple sectors and both processes were completed with tailored and adaptable processes, to time and within budgets.