CharityComms

So, what do you actually do?

I manage and coordinate the content on CAFOD's main website and our new blog "Just One World." I also have input into our other online communications work, such as our youth site Big Deal, and CAFOD's profiles on YouTube, Flickr and MySpace. I work with our editorial and visual communications team to ensure close cooperation between online and offline communications work.

How did you get into it?

I worked as a news reporter for a few years and then became the editor of a magazine for charities, so my interest in this sector grew from there. I also developed the website and e-communications for the magazine. My politics degree gave me an interest in development as an issue so web editor at a development agency seemed a perfect fit.

What does your typical day involve?

Often writing and editing copy for the site, or planning and developing materials online for our key audiences which include teachers, campaigners, and fundraisers. One of the biggest jobs is keeping the homepage ticking over. I co-ordinate the stream of content coming in from across the organisation so it can all be planned into the homepage timetable properly - that way all CAFOD's work gets maximum publicity (hopefully!)

What kind of personality is best suited to working in a job like yours?

You need a strong will at times to ensure everyone gets a fair crack of the whip on the site, but that you still retain editorial control and direction. Confidence and experience is important as often you are required to back up your editorial choices. A website is very much the public face of the organisation and you can feel under constant scrutiny at times. A good team ethic is also important - you need the help of a few people to get a website running well.

What's been your biggest achievement in this job?

We are redesigning the site this year and that will be a huge test. I am proud of the fact that online communications is now much more plugged into CAFOD's general communications work than it was before.

What's been your biggest challenge?

Gaining authority over managing content on the site - everyone always thinks they own their part of it but it’s vital the organisation presents a united front to the outside world.