Job summary
- Main area
- Communications
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 340-CSO-04-24
- Employer
- North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Bernicia House
- Town
- Newcastle upon Tyne
- Closing
- Today at 23:59
- Interview date
- 13/05/2024
Employer heading
Communications Support Officer
NHS AfC: Band 4
Job overview
COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT OFFICER
Bernicia House, Goldcrest Way, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE15 8NY
(Band 4),
Permanent contract 37.50 hours pw
We’re looking for a talented and resourceful communications support officer to develop and maintain effective media and online relations and internal communications.
You will be working in the busy press office of one of the key emergency services in the North East, reporting to the Communications Manager.
You will be responsible for providing an essential role in the team, monitoring and updating the Trust’s digital communications platforms, ensuring that all media enquiries are logged, answered or referred on; supporting the wider team with general administration of contact databases and photo library; developing content for internal and external media; using content management systems and social networks to update internal and external messages and information in a timely manner.
Applicants will have knowledge of communications, public relations and marketing communication techniques, approaches and procedures and/or experience working in a press, PR or communications environment. Excellent communication and presentation skills are essential.
Informal enquires are welcomed by Sam Reed, Communications Manager on telephone: 07972 111131 / [email protected].
Main duties of the job
The communications team operates in a busy working environment, advising a range of internal departments within the Trust on communications strategy and serving a wide range of audiences across North East England that include patients, staff, national and local media, MPs, local authorities and other NHS organisations.
The department is responsible for a variety of internal and external communications including patient, staff and corporate publications; maintaining, developing and updating the Trust website, intranet, social media platforms; handling media enquiries and providing information for MPs and Ministers.
The post holder will provide an essential role in the team monitoring and updating the Trust’s digital communications platforms, ensuring that all media enquiries are logged, answered or referred on; support the wider team with general administration of the team’s contact databases and photo library; developing content for internal and external media and event coordination.
Working for our organisation
We employ 3,500 staff in 63 locations and serve a population of 2,600,000 in Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, County Durham, and Tees over 3230 square miles.
Many people think the job of the ambulance service is to collect patients and take them to hospital, but we do much more!
Paramedic skills have developed hugely in recent years, meaning we carry out more treatment at the scene and en-route to hospital.
We have a dedicated clinical assessment service that allows us to provide patients with the most appropriate care from the beginning of the patient journey.
We have a specialised branch of the Trust called HART which deal with explosions or terrorist attacks.
Ultimately patients are the heart of everything that we do to support our mission of "safe, effective and responsive care for all".
We value and respect the diversity employees bring to our workplace. We recruit a workforce that reflects the community we serve, and welcome applications from people from all backgrounds. To ensure we deliver on our aims in relation to diversity and inclusion we assess ourselves against a range of frameworks. We are ENEI Gold employer, Disability Confident Leader, Dyslexia Smart Award employer, Dementia Friendly, and part of Mind Blue Light programme and the Race at Work Charter from the Princes Responsible Business Network and are achieving across all objectives in NHS Equality Delivery System.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Key Result Areas
- Manage the administration of the press office ensuring that all media enquiries are logged, answered or referred on.
- Participate in developing content for internal and external media.
- Support the team in developing and implementing a strategy for off-line and online communications at the Trust.
- To be responsible for using content management systems and social networks to update internal and external messages and information in a timely manner.
- Ensure the timely production and distribution of all corporate communications, including internal and external publications, media responses and social media replies
- Ensure the timely production and distribution of all communications reports, including monitoring analysis and evaluations.
- Ensure the quality and format of the Trust’s online content, ensuring consistency across pages, all working links and a continuous review and development of all online sites.
- Maintain and update an accurate and contemporary database of contacts for all stakeholders and Trust photo library
- Support event coordination.
Functional Responsibilities
- First point of contact for media enquiries, including on sensitive, confidential issues; answers or refers as appropriate. Establish a network of contacts in national, regional, local and specialist trade media and maintain media relations databases.
- Issue press releases proactively promoting achievements and new developments within the NEAS
- Support coverage in national, regional, local, specialist and trade press, TV and radio.
- Support co-ordination of events to promote NEAS internally and externally such as staff awards, patient reunions and press events.
- Monitor, maintain and support the development of written and graphic content and navigation of internal and external media such as Trust website, intranet and social media platforms
- Ensure corporate content reflects the core image and values of the organisation and ensures communications platforms and content are accurate, up to date and responsive.
- Maintain photo library and departmental databases.
- Monitor press coverage and audience engagement on digital platforms.
- Develop and sustain constructive working relationships with staff across the Trust to maximise opportunities to promote good practice and disseminate key messages.
- Implement and maintain high standards of accessibility and usability on the Trust’s digital platforms.
- Use content management systems in place, implement new designs and templates for the look, feel and structure of digital platforms
- Plan, organise and arrange events, meetings, presentations and briefings.
- Act as a point of contact for corporate communications enquiries from a range of internal and external stakeholders.
Person specification
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
Essential criteria
- Experience to degree level or equivalent
KNOWLEDGE
Essential criteria
- Knowledge of communications, public relations and marketing communication techniques, approaches and procedures
- Knowledge and understanding of content management systems and other digital communications systems and social networks
- Knowledge of visual storytelling tools, such as Canva
EXPERIENCE
Essential criteria
- Experience of writing (e.g. press releases, news articles, social media schedules and other communications / publicity materials) for a range of different media.
- Experience of tailoring copy for different audience using the most appropriate tone and language.
- Experience of managing collaborative working, including competing agendas to facilitate partnership, ranging from front line staff, clinical or social work professionals, to directors
- Experience of organising and facilitating meetings, events, PR activities/campaigns.
- Experience of delivering communication related projects
KEY SKILLS
Essential criteria
- Literate and articulate; understanding of electronic media; good editorial and proof-reading skills. Ability to analyse complex issues and translate them into clear communications
- IT literate including use of Microsoft Office and Apple packages and DTP/ media editing skills and use of digital hardware and software such as content management systems, databases and media analytics.
- Ability to prioritise and manage own and others workload to deliver required outcomes and to contribute to the overall improvement of services
- Good database management skills.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
Essential criteria
- A flexible attitude which demonstrates both a commitment to team working and to working unsupervised, when required
- Capable of working under some pressure
- Good presence/gravitas to deliver a good quality customer service approach
- A self-starter, enthusiastic, motivated and has a `can do’ attitude
- Confident, articulate and presentable
- Personable with an ability to build good relationship with peers, colleagues, partners and stakeholders of all levels
OTHER
Essential criteria
- Must be able and willing to occasionally attend meetings outside of normal working hours.
- Must be willing to travel across the North East for meetings.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Sam Reed
- Job title
- Communications Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07972 111131
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