Why this work matters
Across sectors, organisations are operating in increasingly complex environments - marked by geopolitical uncertainty, social and economic pressures, heightened public scrutiny and rapidly shifting news ecosystems.
For those working on humanitarian response, human rights or global development, these pressures directly affect people's lives. For others, they shape reputation, trust and an organisation's ability to communicate with clarity and confidence.
In all of these contexts, effective communication requires judgment, narrative skill and the ability to connect policy, evidence and lived experience in ways that are accurate, human and strategically sound.
J. English Communications helps organisations and individuals share their story in complex, high-stakes situations - whether the focus is humanitarian crises, social impact, public-interest advocacy or wider institutional communications.
What we do
Support is tailored to your needs: rapid, practical guidance around a specific crisis or leadership moment, or ongoing strategic counsel for communications and advocacy teams.
High-stakes, crisis & issues communications
Clear, rapid support for sensitive or politicised situations.
- Rapid-response counsel and scenario planning
- Reputational risk assessment
- Executive messaging under pressure
Strategic communications & narrative development
Framing complex ideas so diverse audiences can act on them.
- Message architecture and advocacy narratives
- Flagship reports, speeches and major moments
- Audience-specific framing for boards, donors and staff
Media relations & public storytelling
Building visibility and trust with the right outlets.
- Story development and media positioning
- Interview preparation and spokesperson support
- Human-centred narratives from data and evidence
Training, coaching & capacity strengthening
Practical preparation for leaders, experts and field staff.
- Spokesperson coaching and interview prep
- Tools and guidance for communications teams
- Skills transfer for high-pressure environments
How we work
The aim is to help organisations communicate in ways that are accurate, human and strategically effective - especially when issues are politically sensitive, emotionally charged or unfolding at speed.
Communications in complex environments is not just about speed. Critical is the right judgment about what to say, how to say it, and when to stay silent. The work balances urgency with nuance, advocacy with accuracy, and visibility with protection.
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People at the centre - Communications that respect dignity, agency and context, and reflect the lived experiences of those most affected by decisions and events. Managing the tension between telling the story and doing no harm.
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Crisis-tested judgment - Advice informed by years of working on high-profile emergencies, balancing principles with political, operational and reputational realities.
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Sector-aware, craft-first - Deep experience in humanitarian, human rights and global development issues, with a skill set that transfers to any organisation working in complex, high-stakes settings.
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Practical and honest - Clear options, realistic expectations and materials that are ready to use with media, donors, boards and other key audiences.
Trusted by senior leaders
"When it comes to the nuance around grave violations and international law - and managing the tension between telling the story and doing no harm - Joe is as good as they come."
"Calm, agile, passionate and technically strong, Joe is one of the best in the business. His powerful interviews spotlighting the plight of children in humanitarian crises are remembered long after the story fades. Through first-rate communications and media work, as well as productive partnerships with UNICEF’s Country Offices, Joe has strengthened UNICEF’s brand and reputation around the world; amplified our rights-based advocacy for the most vulnerable children; and elevated the organisation’s voice on the global stage."
"Joe is one of our absolute best communication experts, and it has always been a source of pride to witness his work, and read his eloquent words."
"Joe's sharp eye, media instincts and superb spokespersonship have been a huge asset for the organization."
"Joe's knowledge, passion and commitment on speaking out on humanitarian issues was ever impressive and I always enjoyed and learnt from our engagements across the world's crises."
J. English Communications
J. English Communications LLC is led by Joe English, a strategic communications adviser with deep experience operating in complex, high-pressure environments - from humanitarian emergencies and human rights crises to global advocacy, public-interest campaigning and institutional communications.
Before founding the consultancy, Joe spent almost a decade in UNICEF's Global Press Office in New York, shaping global media engagement and communications on major emergencies and protracted crises, and advising senior leadership on effective communication. This work spanned every region of the world and sat at the intersection of humanitarian operations, geopolitics and reputational risk.
J. English Communications also draws on a small network of experienced communications and advocacy specialists based around the world, with backgrounds across the United Nations, humanitarian NGOs and the media. This enables additional capacity or specialist support when a project benefits from it.
Core capabilities include:
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Media engagement, story development and spokesperson preparation for international, national and specialist outlets
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High-stakes messaging and communications for leaders speaking on complex or sensitive issues
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Translating complex or technical issues into compelling narratives that connect policy, evidence and lived experience
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Crisis communications and reputation-sensitive public positioning in politically contested or fast-moving contexts
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Clear, precise and strategically crafted writing - press releases, statements, speeches, op-eds, briefs, reports, talking points and Q&As
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Human-centred storytelling grounded in dignity, agency and accuracy, informed by long experience in humanitarian and child-rights communications
The result is a consultancy that combines crisis-tested judgment with transferable communications craft - supporting organisations that need senior-level counsel without building a large in-house team or agency relationship.
Get in touch
For project enquiries, media support or to discuss an advisory arrangement, you can reach Joe directly at: