Communications Officer

Job summary

We are looking for an organised, creative individual who is a self-starter with first-rate written and verbal communication skills.

The post holder will be adept at drafting high quality content, which will make an impact across a range of communications channels for diverse audiences. In addition, the post holder will be competent in dealing with complex scientific issues and statistical data and have the ability to explain this information clearly to non-scientific audiences.

The post holder will also have a strong news sense – identifying and developing proactive communications, particularly digital. Strong influencing and negotiating skills are essential, enabling the post holder to deal effectively and persuasively with stakeholders, as well as the media.

Working well under pressure and to tight deadlines is essential, as is a flexible approach to work and being a good team player.

Working for your organisation

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Job description

The post holder will:

• Contribute towards the overall aim of promoting UKHSA’s key messages and outputs, as well as supporting the various strands of the UKHSA-wide communications strategy and managing the organisation’s reputation.
• Possess excellent writing skills, which are essential to this role, and have a proven track record of drafting versatile, quality content for a wide range of channels and platforms including social media.
• Contribute towards the overall aim of promoting UKHSA’s key messages and outputs, as well as supporting the various strands of the UKHSA-wide communications strategy and managing the organisation’s reputation.
• Possess excellent writing skills, which are essential to this role, and have a proven track record of drafting versatile, quality content for a wide range of channels and platforms including social media, the web and print media.
• Be expected to liaise with and influence journalists – working proactively to ‘sell in’ stories and reactively to rebut any inaccurate media narratives circulating.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To provide strategic communications handling advice to colleagues both nationally and regionally.
• To draft clear, high quality content for a wide range of channels and audiences.
• To ensure content is underpinned by sound use of UKHSA’s data and intelligence wherever appropriate.
• To identify opportunities for developing quality proactive communications output, as well as identifying any potential reputational risks.
• To manage and support communications around UKHSA’s high profile marketing campaigns.
• To manage proactive and reactive media communications, including:

1. to act as a point of contact for incoming enquiries from journalists and to develop timely responses in line with UKHSA’s corporate view;
2. to proactively sell in stories to the media – press and broadcast;
3. to monitor the range of media channels, including press and digital, and respond to any inaccurate or misleading content particularly where there is a reputational risk;
4. to build and maintain good relations with key journalists;
5. to co-ordinate any broadcast bids and provide support to UKHSA spokespeople undertaking interviews;
6. to undertake evaluation of media projects in line with Government Communication Service standards;
7. to participate in an out-of-hours on-call rota that covers media issues.

• To build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders including other government departments and agencies, local government, health partners and charities – using good diplomacy skills.
• To have clear insight of the wider health system and UKHSA’s role within it.
• To work in accordance with Government Communications Service principles with regard to communications planning and evaluation, also ensuring the team does this.
• To develop an understanding of equality and diversity, particularly the needs of 'harder-to-reach' groups, and to ensure that these needs are addressed in communications output.
• To act as an ambassador for the communications directorate in all engagement with all parties, demonstrating UKHSA behaviours throughout
• To ensure that regional UKHSA communications colleagues are engaged in national media issues, especially seeking their input into how those with a local angle are handled.
• To brief and advise senior officials within UKHSA – both verbally and in writing – on media handling around sensitive and complex issues, liaising with senior communications colleagues as appropriate.
• To manage a diverse range of different requests for press office support from within UKHSA, prioritising demands and expectations and identifying sensitive issues that may require escalation to senior communications colleagues.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Educated to degree level in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in specialist area.
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary communications role, particularly across digital, developing quality content for a range of channels and audiences.
• Experience of working across sensitive and challenging situations/issues, showing diplomacy, tact and a proven track record of using negotiating and influencing skills to achieve outcomes.
• Experience of using initiative and creativity to find innovative solutions to communications challenges.
• Experience of building good relationships with stakeholders a range of organisations including local authorities, government departments, voluntary organisations, charities and health providers.
• Experience of working in a busy communications office, demonstrating a sound knowledge of how media works and developing good relationships with journalists.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of explaining complex and challenging information clearly and concisely for a diverse range of channels and audiences
• Ability to manage and motivate communications colleagues to maximize their ability, while also being receptive to feedback for own personal development. ensuring their personal development
• Ability to handle crisis communications
• Demonstrating a commitment to equality and diversity in day-to-day working practices, as well as output

Desirable criteria:

• A good understanding of the health and social care environment and the roles and responsibilities within it.
• Good knowledge of the workings of government including local government, current government priorities and agenda.
• Experience of working with scientists and/or scientific material.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £33,422, UK Health Security Agency contributes £9,682 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.