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Communications Officer (NHS staff)

Department
Department of Health
Number of Vacancies
1
Location: Region
London
Location: City/Town
London
Location: Building/Site
Richmond House, SW1A 2NS
Grade
HEO
Salary Minimum
£29,992
Salary Maximum
£37,316
Type of Role
Communications/Marketing
Reserved/Non Reserved posts
This is a Non Reserved post and is therefore open to UK, British Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) Nationals and certain non EEA members
Security
Basic check
Criminal Records Bureau Check
This post does not require a Criminal Records Bureau Check
Is a medical required for this post?
No
Job Description
Note – This vacancy is offered as a fixed term appointment until 7th September 2012 only.

The Department of Health aims to improve the health and wellbeing of the people of England.

Its work includes:

• setting national standards
• shaping the direction of the NHS and social care services
• promoting healthier living.

Health and social care services are delivered through the NHS, local authorities, arm's length bodies (ALB’s) and other public and private sector organisations.

The Department of Health is accountable to the public and the Government for the overall performance of the NHS, personal social services and the work of the Department itself.

NHS Staff Communications team
The NHS Staff Communications team is part of the NHS Branch of the DH Communications Directorate. The NHS Staff Communications team produces a range bulletins for the NHS Leadership Team and other NHS professionals, manages a website for NHS communicators and provides communications support, advice and guidance to the rest of the Department, other government departments and stakeholders about communicating with NHS staff.

You will be exposed to a variety of subject matters and high-profile campaigns, so media awareness and political sensitivity are beneficial. A good understanding of internal communications, the public sector and the NHS agenda would be desirable, as well as an experience of contractual agreements and the Government’s communication and digital policy.

Managing multiple projects, suppliers, people and deadlines simultaneously requires a high-level of organisation and some project management knowledge.

You will challenge the ways things are done, confidently and constructively, with business improvement a key outcome.

Role purpose

The postholder is responsible for supporting the development and delivery of a portfolio of communications channels to NHS staff.

Job profile

You will work with the Communications Manager (NHS staff) and Senior Communications Officer (NHS staff) to deliver priority communications activity to NHS staff.

You will:

 plan, create, edit and publish digital content
 support production and distribution of leadership and staff bulletins
 use your knowledge of key Departmental and NHS activity to recommend key messages for priority staff and forward plan content
 work with the Senior Communications Officer (NHS staff) to develop digital engagement channels for NHS staff
 work with colleagues in the Gateway team to deliver high quality communications products
 provide advice and make recommendations to colleagues and stakeholders relating to NHS staff communications channels
 evaluate the effectiveness of the team communications interventions
 use insight and intelligence to provide an improved evidence-based service
 be flexible in support of the team’s priorities and workload, including contributing to the development of the NHS communications strategy and delivery plan
 ensure any third party suppliers are fulfilling their obligations under service level agreements and that the Department of Health performs its duties to suppliers in a timely and appropriate manner
 gather insight and intelligence from NHS staff and stakeholders, share the information and outcomes with colleagues in the DH Communications Directorate
 manage allocated resources effectively, working confidently with financial data
 support others within the team and wider Branch to deliver their work
 build relationships within the DH, the NHS and key stakeholder organisations
 work with colleagues across the Department to identify opportunities to work with stakeholder organisations on priority areas


Additional professional requirements

You will:

• have excellent, writing, proofreading and editing skills
• work confidently with digital and social media
• maintain high editorial standards
• support and promote DH Communications Directorate working practices and personal responsibilities relating to health and safety, equal opportunities, harassment, disciplinary and grievance.
• reinforce the Communications Directorate values at every opportunity, ensuring the Department is a good organisation to work for and work with.

Competencies
The following combination of PSG core skills and GCN specialist competencies represent the key requirements of this post.

PSG CORE SKILLS

Programme and project management
Contributes to the efficient planning and delivery of work objectives and projects.

People management
Builds constructive working relationships with colleagues internally and externally in delivering the Department’s objectives.

Financial management
Makes best use of resources, time, people and materials to contribute to and support the achievement of financial objectives.

Analysis and use of evidence
Sources, understands and evaluates evidence to support decision making.

GCN SPECIALIST COMPETENCIES

Communications, drafting, layout and design
Produces clear, persuasive and accessible communication products.

Channels and technologies
Uses the most effective and appropriate channels and technologies to deliver communications.

Business knowledge and communication environment
Understand the organisation’s business and how communication supports it; is aware of the wider communication context and GCN; is fully aware of and applies propriety guidelines.

Relationship / account management
Understands, responds to and satisfies the communications needs of diverse audiences – clients, government stakeholder groups, partners, media and employees; builds and maintains constructive relationships and balances difference demands.

Strategic marketing and communication
Plans, builds and manages the delivery of strategies, campaigns and day to day marketing and communication services, which are based on audience insight and are effective in getting the organisation’s messages across and delivered to the highest professional standard; promotes coherent and consistent organisation brands(s).
Evaluation, research, evidence
Gathers and interprets data on the effectiveness of communication strategies, campaigns and services and their impact on audience behaviour and business outcomes; identifies improvement opportunities.

See http://gcn.civilservice.gov.uk/professional-development/gcn-core-skills for more detail on the GCN specialist competencies.

When completing the Application Form, please remember to demonstrate how you meet each of the required competencies for the role as outlined above, by providing clear examples from your past experience which relate specifically to the competency statements.
Working Pattern
This post is full time and not suitable for part time or job share applicants
Employment Terms: Post Type
Fixed Term
Employment Terms: Hours
36
Contact and further details
Additional information for candidates

Note – This vacancy is offered as a fixed term appointment until 7th September 2012 only.

When completing the Application Form, please remember to demonstrate how you meet each of the required competencies for the role as outlined above, by providing clear examples from your past experience which relate specifically to the competency statements.

For further information about this post please contact Sally Kenny on 020 7210 5732 email sally.kenny@dh.gsi.gov.uk

Please email your completed application form to DH-recruitment@dh.gsi.gov.uk by 16:00hrs, 22nd February 2012, stating reference CSJOBS-RCP1040-COMM’s-DD
The Civil Service is committed to providing services which embrace diversity and which promote equality of opportunity. We also offer a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet our minimum selection criteria.
We will not tolerate discrimination on any of the following: gender, marital status, sexual orientation, race, colour, nationality, religion, age, disability, HIV positivity, working pattern, caring responsibilities, trade union activity or political beliefs - or any other grounds.
External applicants should note that for posts in Northern Ireland, applications from the Roman Catholic community are particularly welcomed as this group is currently under-represented in our workforce.
Closing date
22 Feb 2012
RCP1040 - JD & Person Spec
RCP1040 - Application Form
Diversity Monitoring questionnaire